Wild Swim Atlas

Wild swimming in Yorkshire Dales

12 places to swim in Yorkshire Dales, each checked for public access. Open a spot for its season, booking rules and how to get there.

12 spots listed9 waterfall pools2 lakes and tarns1 river1 need a booking in season

12 spots in Yorkshire Dales

Wild swimming reported5 mi

Uldale Force

Waterfall pool
Mallerstang

Uldale Force is a waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales and is identified as a local wild-swimming spot.

Wild swimming available10 mi

Sunbiggin Tarn

Lake
Newbiggin on Lune

Sunbiggin Tarn is a natural marl lake in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Open to swim12 mi

Cotter Force

Waterfall pool
Cotterdale, Appersett

Cotter Force is a waterfall in woodland beside the A684 in Cotterdale.

Open to swim13 mi

Hardraw Force

Waterfall pool
Hardraw, Appersett

Hardraw Force is a privately managed waterfall with a plunge pool in Hardraw.

Swimming available15 mi

Rutter Force

Waterfall pool
Hoff

Rutter Force is a 9.1-metre horseshoe waterfall on Hoff Beck near Appleby-in-Westmorland.

Swimming reported15 mi

Wain Wath Force

Waterfall pool
Muker

A roadside waterfall on the River Swale with a natural plunge pool used for swimming.

Swimming allowed17 mi

Semer Water

Lake
Semer Water Nature Reserve, Bainbridge

Semer Water is a natural glacial lake where swimming and watersports are allowed with a ticket.

Open to swim18 mi

Stainforth Force

River
Stainforth

River Ribble cascades and pools below Stainforth village, with a popular swimming area downstream.

Open to swim19 mi

Catrigg Force

Waterfall pool
Stainforth

Waterfall and natural plunge pool in a wooded gorge about one mile upstream from Stainforth.

Open to swim22 mi

Scaleber Force

Waterfall pool
Settle

A 40-foot waterfall near Settle with a natural pool at its base.

Wild swimming possible22 mi

Aysgarth Falls

Waterfall pool
Aysgarth

Three stepped waterfalls on the River Ure near Aysgarth, with a National Park Centre, café and car park.

Open to swim24 mi

Janet’s Foss

Waterfall pool
Malham

Janet’s Foss is a waterfall with a natural pool near Malham.

Swimming near a Yorkshire Dales city

By type of water