When posted open, book aheadHamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs
A limestone grotto containing a waterfall-fed natural pool west of Austin.
Waterfall pools you can swim in
Every waterfall pool on this page has public access. Check the season and the rules on each spot before you go.
103 spots listed103 waterfall pools8 need a booking in season
103 spots in this list
When posted open, book ahead
Swimming possibleLittle River Falls
Little River Canyon National Preserve, Fort Payne
Waterfall in Little River Canyon National Preserve with a swimming hole below the falls and wading pools above.
Swimming permittedHavasu Falls
Havasu Canyon, Supai
A 100-foot waterfall with pools where swimming is permitted on the Havasupai Reservation.
Swimming permittedMooney Falls
Havasu Canyon, Supai
A 200-foot waterfall on the Havasupai Reservation where swimming is permitted.
Swimming allowedFalls Creek Falls
Lake Catherine State Park, Malvern
Falls Creek Falls is a seasonal waterfall with a swimming area at its base in Lake Catherine State Park.
Swimming possibleTanyard Creek Falls
Tanyard Creek Nature Trail, Bella Vista
Tanyard Creek Falls is a year-round waterfall beside a public nature trail, with downstream areas for wading and swimming when water levels permit.
Swimming reportedHaw Creek Falls
Haw Creek Falls Point of Interest, Clarksville
Haw Creek Falls is a small waterfall on a mountain stream beside a year-round national forest recreation area.
Wild swimming allowed
Wild swimming allowedSgwd yr Eira
Penderyn
Waterfall on the Four Waterfalls Walk with a plunge pool used for wild swimming.
Wild swimming reportedFalls of Bruar
Circular Island
A series of waterfalls and deep natural pools on Bruar Water in a wooded gorge.
Swimming possibleLinn of Quoich
Mar Lodge Estate, Braemar
Waterfall and rocky gorge on the River Quoich, including the natural Punch Bowl.
Swimming possibleRiver Pattack
Falls of Pattack, Kingussie
River pools and waterfall pools on the River Pattack are accessible from the A86 and used for wild swimming.
Cold dip possibleFalls of the Glasallt
Glen Muick, Ballater
The Falls of the Glasallt are a waterfall near the head of Loch Muick in Aberdeenshire.
Swimming possibleFalls of Garbh Allt
Invercauld Estate, Braemar
Falls of Garbh Allt has several natural pools below waterfalls near Braemar.
Swim at Lake BrittonBurney Falls
McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park, Mount Shasta
The waterfall is in a state park with a public swimming area at nearby Lake Britton.
Swimming hole nearbyBridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls Trail, Black Bear Pass Trailhead (Northwestern)
A 365-foot waterfall near Telluride, reached by trail or a rough four-wheel-drive road.
Public swimming areaIndian Well
Indian Well State Park, White Hills
Indian Well is a public swimming area at Indian Well State Park.
Public swimming accessGreat Falls
Falls Village, Falls Village
Great Falls is a waterfall on the Housatonic River near Falls Village.
Open to swim
Summer swimmingEast Dart Waterfall
Postbridge
Waterfall near Postbridge cascading over granite slabs into a large natural pool used for swimming in summer.
Swimming allowed with permitBridal Veil Falls (Sliding Rock)
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is the only place where swimming is permitted in Tallulah Gorge.
Swimming availableBlue Hole Falls
High Shoals Scenic Area, Clayton
Blue Hole Falls is a waterfall on High Shoals Creek with a deep pool used for swimming.
Swimming availableHigh Shoals Creek Falls
High Shoals Scenic Area, Clayton
High Shoals Creek Falls is one of five waterfalls in the High Shoals Scenic Area.
Swim when approvedWaimea Falls
Waimea Valley, Shark's Cove
Waimea Falls is a 45-foot waterfall ending in a natural freshwater pool where swimming is allowed when conditions are safe.
Open to swimDog Falls
Glen Affric, Tomich
River pools and plunge pools lie among woodland beside Dog Falls in Glen Affric.
Open to swimPlodda Falls
Glen Affric, Tomich
Plodda Falls is a 46-metre waterfall with a plunge pool at the bottom.
Wild swimming possibleEas Chia-aig Falls
The Witches Pool, Fort William
Eas Chia-aig is a waterfall with a deep plunge pool known as the Witches Pool.
Pools allow swimmingEas Mòr
Glen Brittle, Portree
Eas Mòr is a 40-metre waterfall in Glen Brittle, associated with natural pools on the River Brittle.
Shallow bathing possibleSteall Waterfall
Glen Nevis, Kinlochleven
Steall Waterfall is a 120-metre waterfall in Glen Nevis with shallow bathing pools near the wire bridge.
Swim in calm conditionsMeeting of Three Waters
Glen Coe, Kinlochleven
Three mountain streams form cascades and pools beside the A82 in Glen Coe.
Swimming generally permittedWhite Falls
Loch Spey, Fort William
White Falls is a natural waterfall at Loch Spey in the Scottish Highlands.
Swimming areaShoshone Falls
Shoshone Falls Park, Twin Falls
Waterfall on the Snake River with a park, swimming area, trails, picnic areas and boat ramp.
Swimming reportedWilliamsport Falls
Williamsport, Williamsport
Williamsport Falls is a 90-foot waterfall near downtown Williamsport with a swimming pool at its base.
Swimming reportedSeventy Six Falls
Seventy Six Falls Recreation Area, Albany
Seventy Six Falls is a waterfall on Indian Creek with overlooks, a picnic area and swimming reported below the falls.
Open, wild swimEsk Falls
Boot
A waterfall on the River Esk with a small plunge pool reached by a narrow path and steep rocky descent.
Open, wild swimming
Free, open all yearWhorneyside Force
Chapel Stile
Whorneyside Force is a waterfall with a clear plunge pool in the Langdale Valley.
Free, open all yearGibson's Spout
Bootle, Bootle
A small waterfall near Bootle, reached by a bridleway from a roadside parking place.
Swim possible; closedFalls of Falloch
Inveraray
Falls of Falloch is a roadside waterfall on the River Falloch with a natural pool below the falls.
Swimming allowed
Yes, no lifeguardSmalls Falls
Smalls Falls Picnic Area, Madrid
A 54-foot waterfall on the Sandy River with plunge pools used for swimming.
Seasonal swimmingScrew Auger Falls
Grafton Notch State Park, Bethel
A 23-foot waterfall on the Bear River in Grafton Notch State Park, reached by a walking path from Route 26.
Swimming possibleKatahdin Falls
Baxter State Park, Millinocket
Katahdin Falls is a waterfall in Baxter State Park at the supplied coordinates.
Swimming permittedKilgore Falls
Rocks State Park, Falling Branch area, Pylesville
Kilgore Falls is a 17-foot waterfall in the Falling Branch area of Rocks State Park.
Swimming allowedLower Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Newberry
Lower Tahquamenon Falls is a five-cascade section of the Tahquamenon River in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Swimming allowedOcqueoc Falls
Ocqueoc Falls State Forest Campground, Ocqueoc
Ocqueoc Falls is a year-round Michigan DNR day-use waterfall with shallow swimming pools and accessible paths.
Public swimming
Swimming allowedGrand Falls
Grand Falls Plaza
Grand Falls is a natural waterfall on Shoal Creek with pools below the falls where swimming is allowed.
Swimming reportedRipley Falls
Crawford Notch State Park, Hart's Location
A 100-foot waterfall with a cold pool at its base in Crawford Notch State Park.
Swimming allowedJackson Falls
Jackson
Jackson Falls is a series of Wildcat River cascades and pools near Jackson, with roadside access.
Swimming permittedGeorgiana Falls
Lincoln
Georgiana Falls is a series of waterfalls on Harvard Brook with a small lower pool reached by an unmarked trail.
Open to swimCampton Falls
Campton
Campton Falls is a 15-foot waterfall on the Beebe River with two swimming holes at its base.
Swimming allowedSitting Bull Falls
Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Carlsbad
Spring-fed waterfalls descend into pools at a recreation area in Lincoln National Forest.
Designated area onlyButtermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca
A seasonal lifeguarded swimming area is located in the lower park beside Buttermilk Falls.
Swimming possibleDiamond Notch Falls
Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness, Lanesville
A 25-foot waterfall in Hunter-West Kill Mountain Wilderness, reached by a 1-mile trail from Spruceton Road.
Public swimming allowedSliding Rock
Pisgah National Forest, Brevard
Natural waterslide and swimming pool in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard.
Lower pool onlyMoravian Falls
Moravian Falls Campground, Wilkesboro
A waterfall on Moravian Creek with a lower plunge pool on private campground land.
Open to swimLooking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls Scenic Area, Brevard
Public waterfall in Pisgah National Forest with a viewing deck, stairs to the creek and swimming listed as a water activity.
Swimming allowedSilver Run Falls
Nantahala National Forest, Highlands
Silver Run Falls is a 25-foot waterfall flowing into a broad pool with a sandy beach.
Swimming at own riskRainbow Falls
Gorges State Park, Highlands
Rainbow Falls is a waterfall on the Horsepasture River reached by trail from Gorges State Park.
Warm-weather swimmingQuarry Falls
Nantahala National Forest, Highlands
A small waterfall beside US 64 with a large, deep pool that is popular for swimming during warm weather.
Swimming allowedHooker Falls
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Brevard
Hooker Falls is a popular summer swimming area on the Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest.
Swimming permittedBig Bear Falls
South Mountains State Park, Morganton
Big Bear Falls is a waterfall with several deep pools on a trail in South Mountains State Park.
Open to swimDundee Falls
Beach City Wildlife Preserve, Beach City
Dundee Falls forms a small pool in Beach City Wildlife Preserve and is listed as a swimming activity.
Swim in summerTurner Falls
Turner Falls Park, Davis
Turner Falls Park contains a 77-foot waterfall and natural swimming pool.
Swimming allowedLittle Niagara Falls
Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Sulphur
Little Niagara Falls is a waterfall on Travertine Creek where swimming is allowed downstream.
Swimming reportedPunch Bowl Falls
Eagle Creek, Goose Island
Waterfall on Eagle Creek plunging into a broad pool in the Columbia River Gorge.
Swimming nearbyCline Falls
Cline Falls State Scenic Viewpoint, Redmond
Cline Falls is a Deschutes River waterfall beside a state viewpoint with nearby swimming areas.
Swimming permittedHomewood Falls
Homewood
Homewood Falls is a natural waterfall in Beaver County, also known locally as Buttermilk Falls.
Swimming possible
Wild swimming possibleLoup of Fintry
Fintry
Loup of Fintry is a waterfall on the River Endrick with a plunge pool used for wild swimming.
Public dipping reportedAber Falls
Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve, Abergwyngregyn
Aber Falls is a natural waterfall with a rocky plunge pool in Coedydd Aber National Nature Reserve.
Dip possibleRhaeadr Mawddach (Pistyll Cain)
Coed y Brenin Forest Park, Ganllwyd
Waterfall with a deep plunge pool in Coed y Brenin Forest Park near Ganllwyd.
Swimming reportedDolgoch Falls
Abergynolwyn
Dolgoch Falls is a natural waterfall with pools used by some visitors for cold-water swimming.
Open to swimRhaeadr Nantcol
Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite, Pentre Gwynfryn
Waterfall and plunge pools on the River Nantcol, accessed near a campsite in the Nantcol valley.
Swimming allowedCascade Falls
J.H. Keith Cascade Falls Picnic Ground, Hot Springs
Spring-fed Cascade Creek flows over a waterfall into a public swimming pool in Black Hills National Forest.
Swimming allowedCane Creek Cascades
Fall Creek Falls State Park, Spencer
Cane Creek Cascades is a natural waterfall and swimming hole in Fall Creek Falls State Park.
Swimming by permitCummins Falls
Cummins Falls State Park, Cookeville
A 75-foot waterfall on the Blackburn Fork River with a natural pool at its base.
Swimming allowedBlue Hole Falls
South Cumberland State Park, Tracy City
Blue Hole Falls is a small waterfall with a swimming hole in the Fiery Gizzard area.
Swimming allowedGreeter Falls
Savage Gulf State Park, Altamont
Lower Greeter Falls drops into a swimming hole in Savage Gulf State Park.
Swimming areas availableRock Island State Park swimming areas
Rock Island State Park, Rock Island
Rock Island State Park has a natural sand beach and river swimming areas, with swimming prohibited in dangerous sections of the gorge.
Free, seasonal swimmingTwin Falls
Barton Creek Greenbelt, Sunset Valley
Twin Falls is a natural swimming hole with two waterfalls on Barton Creek in Austin's Barton Creek Greenbelt.
Free, open dailyLower Bull Creek Falls
Bull Creek District Park, Austin
Lower Bull Creek Falls is a shallow swimming and wading spot at the trailhead in Bull Creek District Park.
Open to swimSaffold Dam
Max Starcke Park West, Seguin
Saffold Dam is a city-owned dam and man-made waterfall on the Guadalupe River beside Max Starcke Park in Seguin.
Seasonal, water-dependentHill of Life Falls
Barton Creek Greenbelt, West Lake Hills
Waterfall on Barton Creek in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, reached from the Camp Craft Road trailhead.
Swimming permittedPine Creek Waterfall
Zion National Park, Springdale
Waterfall pools below Lower Pine Creek Falls permit swimming.
Open to swimMoss Glen Falls
Moss Glen Falls Natural Area, Granville
Moss Glen Falls has a large pool and is a readily accessible swimming attraction beside Route 100.
Swimming reportedSgwd Gwladys
Waterfall Country, Pontneddfechan
Sgwd Gwladys is a 7-metre waterfall on the Afon Pyrddin near Pontneddfechan, with a deep plunge pool.
Swimming possibleLower Lewis River Falls
Lower Falls Day Use Site, Stevenson
Lower Lewis River Falls is a waterfall on the Lewis River with deep pools used for swimming.
Swimming allowedRainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls State Park, Pe Ell
Rainbow Falls State Park allows swimming in the Chehalis River, with no designated swimming area or lifeguards.
Summer swimmingWhirlpool Falls
Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham
Whirlpool Falls is a natural swimming hole on Whatcom Creek in Whatcom Falls Park.
Swimming allowedDog Creek Falls
Dog Creek Falls Observation Site, Stevenson
A 30-foot waterfall beside State Route 14 has a short trail to a pool and creek swimming.
Swimming possibleSandstone Falls
Brooks Island
Sandstone Falls has calm pools below small waterfalls on the New River near Hinton.
Swimming permittedUpper Amnicon Falls
Amnicon Falls State Park, Superior
Upper Amnicon Falls is a waterfall on the Amnicon River where swimming and wading are permitted with caution.
Open to swim
Swimming reportedWain Wath Force
Muker
A roadside waterfall on the River Swale with a natural plunge pool used for swimming.
Open to swimHardraw Force
Hardraw, Appersett
Hardraw Force is a privately managed waterfall with a plunge pool in Hardraw.
Open to swimCotter Force
Cotterdale, Appersett
Cotter Force is a waterfall in woodland beside the A684 in Cotterdale.
Wild swimming possibleAysgarth Falls
Aysgarth
Three stepped waterfalls on the River Ure near Aysgarth, with a National Park Centre, café and car park.
Open to swimCatrigg Force
Stainforth
Waterfall and natural plunge pool in a wooded gorge about one mile upstream from Stainforth.
Open to swim
Wild swimming reportedUldale Force
Mallerstang
Uldale Force is a waterfall in the Yorkshire Dales and is identified as a local wild-swimming spot.
Swimming availableRutter Force
Hoff
Rutter Force is a 9.1-metre horseshoe waterfall on Hoff Beck near Appleby-in-Westmorland.