When summer temps spike, you need a place to cool off. You might as well make that place a scenic hideaway in a tumbling river聽away from the crowds. Whether you jump off a cliff or just dip your toes in, here are eight swimming holes around the United States worth dunking into.
Pikes Falls
Jamaica, Vermont
A small waterfall on Ball Mountain Brook ends at an enormous, clear swimming hole called , in the small town of Jamaica, Vermont. Located about ten minutes from Stratton Mountain ski area, you鈥檒l find ten-foot-long natural water slides, rocks to jump off, and plenty of stone to sunbathe on afterward.
Emerald Pools
Nevada City, California
The South Fork of the Yuba is one of California鈥檚 wildest and most striking rivers. Emerald Pools, a , can be tough to find鈥攜ou鈥檒l follow an easy-to-lose trail and scramble over granite boulders tucked off Highway 20 between Truckee and Nevada City鈥攂ut the scenery alone is worth the journey. Cliff jumping is popular here, but also dangerous.
Mill Creek
Moab, Utah
You鈥檒l hike into a sandstone canyon and past ancient petroglyphs to reach the , which flows from the La Sal Mountains. Walk five minutes from your car and take a dip in the cold water, or hike in a little farther to find deep bowls below cascading waterfalls.
Devil鈥檚 Punchbowl
Aspen, Colorado
You can find this sunken emerald pool ten miles outside of Aspen, where Colorado鈥檚 Roaring Fork River tumbles down Independence Pass. Known as a cliff jumper鈥檚 paradise, the features 20-plus-foot leaps into the chilly water.
Diana鈥檚 Baths
Bartlett, New Hampshire
国产吃瓜黑料 North Conway, in New Hampshire鈥檚 White Mountains, a meandering stream called Lucy Brook flows down the face of Big Attitash Mountain. Near the bottom, it pours over large granite boulders into a about half a mile from the trailhead. Dogs are allowed at Diana鈥檚 Baths, and there鈥檚 a $3 parking fee.
Blue Hole
Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee
On the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge, about 20 minutes from Chattanooga, you鈥檒l find a collection of pools that locals call . Hike along聽the mellow trail that follows the creek聽and stop for a dip in whatever pool calls to you. And keep your eyes open for rope swings.
Barton Springs Pool
Austin, Texas
Barton Springs is an Austin institution that feels more like a massive, everyone-you-know-is-here pond than a hard-to-reach . The three-acre, man-made, spring-fed pool within Austin鈥檚 Zilker Park attracts sunbathers and swimmers year-round. It costs $3 to get in if you鈥檙e a local, or $8 if you鈥檙e from out of town. Admission is free from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Johnson鈥檚 Shut-Ins
Middle Brook, Missouri
About two hours from St. Louis, the East Fork of the Black River gets pinched between big granite rocks, creating natural slides, small rapids, and great that are a short walk to reach. If you want a longer hike, there are 45 miles of hiking trails within the surrounding state park.