Summertime in Appalachia doesn't come with a day planner. It comes with a rope swing fraying at the ends, a cooler that doubles as a raft, and a trail that leads somewhere colder, wilder, and a whole lot better than any crowded beach.

If you’re itchin’ for a real-deal mountain summer, here are five swimming holes that prove you don’t need an ocean to soak up magic — just a little Appalachian spirit.

 

1. Glade Creek Falls — Prince, West Virginia

Tucked in the heart of the New River Gorge, Glade Creek looks like something lifted out of a tropical postcard — except it’s all West Virginia grit and glory.

A series of waterfalls tumble into a crystal-clear pool deep enough for leaping, floating, or swinging out from a worn rope tied to an old tree limb.

It’s the kind of place where summer days stretch long, and the only thing colder than the water is the sweet tea waiting back on the bank.

Local tip: The best pools are a short hike from the Glade Creek trailhead near Prince.

 

2. Blue Hole — Carter County, Tennessee

Hidden deep inside the Cherokee National Forest, the Blue Hole is a slice of summer magic wrapped in rhododendron and mountain mist.

A short walk delivers you to a waterfall-fed pool so blue and cold it’ll steal your breath — but only for a second before you’re laughing and splashing like a kid again.

Shady, serene, and blessedly off the beaten path, it’s the perfect place to waste an afternoon.

Local tip: The trail is short but rocky — wear good shoes, not flip-flops.

 

3. Sliding Rock — Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

This one’s for the wild hearts.

Sliding Rock is a natural 60-foot waterslide carved into the bedrock by centuries of rushing water. You sit down at the top, push off, and let gravity do the rest — splashing into a deep, chilly pool at the bottom.

It’s a rite of passage for Appalachian summer-goers, and it’s about as much fun as you can have in a swimsuit.

Local tip: Summer weekends can get crowded — hit it early in the day for the best ride.

 

4. Saint Mary’s Falls — Augusta County, Virginia

Nothing tastes sweeter than a swim earned the hard way.

Saint Mary’s Falls demands a little sweat: a few miles of hiking through rugged hollows and rhododendron thickets. But the payoff is pure magic — a silvery waterfall spilling into a cold, clear mountain pool where the only soundtrack is the water rushing and the birds carrying on.

Local tip: Watch for trail markers — the path can get tricky after heavy rains.

5. Red River Gorge Swimming Holes — Kentucky

Sure, Red River Gorge is famous for its sandstone cliffs and rock climbing, but ask a local where to cool off and they’ll point you to the hidden creek bends and cliff-jumping spots that lace the forest.

The "Jump Rock" area is a fan favorite — a boulder outcrop just daring you to take the plunge. Bring your best cannonball form (and your best stories for around the fire later).

Local tip: Always check the water depth before jumping — mountain rivers change with the rains.

A Few Final Words Before You Go Wild:

These swimming holes are little pieces of Appalachian soul — beautiful, wild, and fragile.
If you go, leave no trace. Take your trash, mind your manners, and leave the place just a little better than you found it.

Because out here, summer isn’t something you take. It’s something you honor.

Got a favorite Appalachian swimming hole we missed? Let us know — we’re always lookin' for the next great place to waste a day. 🌞