My Favorite Secret Swimming Holes for Summer: A Cool Escape into the Magic of the Mountains

Now I don’t know about you, but somewhere around mid-June, I began to question whether I’d accidentally booked a vacation in the Sahara without realizing it. The heat settled in like a bad houseguest — uninvited, unrelenting, and seemingly immune to hints. The only sensible thing to do in weather like this is to grab a towel, ditch your to-do list, and cannonball headfirst into the nearest mountain-fed swimming hole. Luckily, I happen to know a few.

These aren’t your average chlorinated puddles or manicured resort pools where someone brings you cucumber water in a plastic cup. No, friend — these are the real deal. Cold, clear, wild, and wonderful. Each one tucked away like a whispered secret between the folds of our beloved Blue Ridge Mountains. And while I can’t swear you to secrecy (this is a blog, not a blood pact), I do hope you’ll treat these places with the reverence they deserve.

1. Silver Run Falls – Cashiers, NC

Tucked just off Highway 107 like it’s hiding from the tax man, Silver Run Falls is what happens when Mother Nature decides to show off. A short, magical walk through a cathedral of trees delivers you to a 25-foot cascade spilling into a deep, cool pool — the kind of place that makes kids forget their screens and adults remember their childhoods. There’s a sandy little beach too, perfect for picnicking, napping, or pondering the meaning of life while your toes chill in mountain water.

And yes — you can swim right up under the falling water and let it pound the week out of your shoulders like a mountain-made masseuse.

Just four miles south of Cashiers, it’s easy to find but worth visiting early — on hot days, half of Jackson County might beat you to it.

Directions: From US 64 in Cashiers, drive south on NC 107 for 5.3 miles. Parking is a small pull-off on the left.

2. Schoolhouse Falls – Panthertown Valley

Ah, Panthertown — the last great wilderness east of the Mississippi and a place where the map might as well say, “Here be dragons.” Schoolhouse Falls may only drop about 20 feet, but what it lacks in drama it makes up for in soul. A 2.5-mile roundtrip hike brings you into the hush of mossy rocks, hemlock groves, and a deep sense of wonder.

You can wade, swim, even walk behind the waterfall like you're in a shampoo commercial — just mind the slippery rocks and delicate flora. If you’re feeling bold, tack on the 5-mile loop to Tranquility Point, where the views stretch as far as your worries disappear.

Directions: From Lake Toxaway, take NC 281 North for 0.8 mi. Turn left on Cold Mountain Rd. Go 6 mi to the Panthertown trailhead parking.

3. Bust Your Butt Falls – Near Highlands

I didn’t name it, but I reckon someone’s tailbone has a story to tell. This one's got a jump-off rock, a natural water slide, and just enough danger to make you question your decision-making — in other words, it’s a blast. The water’s bracing, the rocks are slick, and the joy is contagious. It sits right off Highway 64 and delivers everything summer should: sun on your face, cold water on your back, and laughter that echoes through the gorge.

Just drive slow — the road hugs the cliffs tighter than your grandma on Sunday.

Directions: From Highlands, drive west on US 64 for 6.5 miles. Falls are roadside on the right. From Franklin, drive east 10 miles.

4. Sliding Rock – Pisgah National Forest

This one’s less a secret and more a rite of passage. Eight miles from Brevard lies Sliding Rock, a 60-foot slab of natural fun where 11,000 gallons of water per minute shoot you into an eight-foot-deep plunge pool. Lifeguards, changing rooms, and a $5 fee make this the Disneyland of Appalachian adventure. Sure, it gets crowded, but so does heaven. Go early, bring water shoes, and brace yourself for the chill.

And for heaven’s sake, slide feet first.

Directions: From Brevard, take US 276 North for 7.5 miles. Turn left into the signed fee area parking lot.

5. Looking Glass Falls – Pisgah National Forest

If waterfalls were royalty, this one would be Queen Elizabeth — elegant, composed, and always photogenic. Right off the road, it’s the most accessible of the bunch and an ideal spot for anyone who prefers to keep their flip-flops on. You can dip your toes in, or dive straight into the mist — just don’t forget your camera. Morning sun makes the falls sparkle, but cloudy days bring out its moody side (and fewer people).

Bonus: It’s gorgeous in winter, when the ice glitters like a broken chandelier.

Directions: From Brevard, take US 276 North for 5.6 miles. Roadside parking is on the right.

6. Deep Creek – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Near Bryson City lies Deep Creek, a choose-your-own-adventure park disguised as a tubing haven. Whether you want a lazy float or a whitewater thrill, it’s all here — plus hiking, waterfalls, fishing, and enough rhododendron to make your Instagram blush. Rent a tube, pack a picnic, and prepare to lose track of time. It’s that kind of place.

Also, bonus points for being one of the few spots where adults giggle more than the kids.

Directions: From downtown Bryson City, go east on Depot St. Left on Deep Creek Rd. Drive 2.8 miles to the trailhead parking lot.

7. Skinny Dip Falls – Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 417

Don’t let the name fool you — this isn’t that kind of party (though I won’t judge what happens at sunrise). What it is, however, is an oasis. A short, shaded hike delivers you to cascading pools, clear as glass and cold as the preacher’s warning. There’s a jump-off rock for the brave, shallows for the timid, and enough beauty to make a poet blush.

Fair warning: it’s no secret anymore. But it’s still magic.

Directions: Park at Milepost 417 (Looking Glass Rock Overlook). Trailhead is across the Parkway. Hike 0.75 miles.

8. Turtleback Falls – Gorges State Park

This one’s a bit of a hike and more of a “look, don’t leap” situation these days. It used to be the crown jewel of natural water slides, but a few too many rescue missions have prompted rangers to raise a collective eyebrow. Still, it’s worth the trek for the views alone — and if you're smart, you’ll slide your way over to nearby Hidden Falls instead, where the crowds are thinner and the water just as sweet.

Directions: Gorges State Park is about 55 miles southwest of Asheville (1.5 hours). From Asheville, take I-26 East to Exit 40 for NC 280 and head west to Brevard. Continue on US 64 West through Brevard toward Sapphire. In Sapphire, turn south on NC 281; the park entrance is 1 mile on the left.

Now, I don’t claim to be a tour guide or a philosopher, but I’ll tell you this — there’s something sacred about mountain water. Maybe it’s the chill that wakes your soul. Maybe it’s the quiet tucked behind every splash. Or maybe it’s the way these places remind us that wonder isn’t found on a screen, but just down a trail, beneath a canopy of trees, where the only sound is laughter and rushing water.

If you love these mountains like I love these mountains — with a kind of reverent awe and a burning need to be part of their story — then allow me to help you find your own home here in the Blue Ridge. Not just a house, but a front-row seat to wonder. A porch with a view. A trail in your backyard that ends in something breathtaking.

I’m Bernie Gilchrist, and this is my backyard. Let’s find yours.