14 Swimming Holes in Kentucky — Lakes, Creeks & Rivers You Can Swim In

14 natural swimming destinations in Kentucky.

Kentucky has 14 swimming holes in our directory, including 4 river, 4 creek, 2 waterfall, 2 lake, 2 quarry. Those counts come from our live U.S. swimming holes dataset. Use GPS distance sorting or city nearby lists when you already know your starting point.

Kentucky swimming holes feature sandstone cliff hollows in the Red River Gorge, wide river bends along the Cumberland and Licking rivers, and clear flooded quarries.

Search favorites include Red River Gorge Swimming Holes (including Jump Rock), Rock Quarry near Land Between the Lakes, Clifty Creek, and Licking River.

Filter day trips from Louisville and Lexington for convenient drive-time itineraries.

Near major cities: Lexington · Louisville

By water type: River (4) · Creek (4) · Waterfall (2) · Lake (2) · Quarry (2)

Guides: Hidden gems (4) · Family friendly (4)

Popular swimming holes in Kentucky

Most-searched spots — open each listing for directions, fees, and safety notes.

Rock Quarry — bay - quarry swimming hole near Paducah, KY

Bay - QuarryKY

Rock Quarry

Rock Quarry near Paducah, KY is a free quarry swimming hole on Pisgah Bay (Kentucky Lake) in the Land Between the Lakes area — boat or hike in, scout depth before any jump.

FreePaducah

Red River Gorge Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Lexington, KY

RiverKY

Red River Gorge Swimming Holes

Red River Gorge swimming holes in eastern Kentucky offer free sandstone creek and river pools amid cliff country. Informal access — check depth; many spots require short hikes.

Fee variesLexington

Licking River — river swimming hole near Lexington, KY

RiverKY

Licking River

Winding through the rolling hills of northern Kentucky, the Licking River is one of the region's most beloved and unspoiled waterways. Fed by countless tributaries and shaped by centuries of geological change, this river has served as a gathering place for communities.

FreeLexington

Clifty Creek — lake/cliffs swimming hole near Danville, KY

Lake/CliffsKY

Clifty Creek

There are no ticket booths, no snack bars, and no lifeguards. What you get instead is raw, unfiltered nature at its most inviting.

FreeDanville

Kentucky swimming holes FAQ

Where can you swim in Red River Gorge, Kentucky?

The most popular swimming hole in Red River Gorge is Jump Rock on the Red River near the suspension bridge in the Daniel Boone National Forest. Swimmers also explore creek pools along Gladie Creek and Indian Creek.

Are there quarry swimming holes in Kentucky?

Yes, quarry pools like the Rock Quarry near Land Between the Lakes offer deep, clear water. Always verify current property access rules, as unauthorized quarries are private and strictly enforced for trespassing.

Is swimming in Kentucky creeks safe after rain?

No. Mountain streams and gorge creeks rise rapidly after summer storms. Avoid swimming when water is murky brown or moving rapidly, and scout depth before entering.

All 14 listings

Blue Heron — river swimming hole near London, KY

RiverKY

Blue Heron

Blue Heron near London, Kentucky is a river swimming spot on Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. What people come for: Historical significance as former coal mining site; Crystal-clear waters of the Cumberland River. You will find restrooms, picnic areas and camping. Best visited in Spring. This is an unofficial swimming area with no lifeguard.

Fee variesLondon

Buena Vista — river swimming hole near Danville, KY

RiverKY

Buena Vista

This unofficial, completely natural spot on the Rolling Fork River offers something harder to find in the modern world: an unadorned, unhurried place to slip into cool water surrounded by nothing but sky, field, and wildlife.

FreeDanville

Breaks Interstate Park Swimming Spots — creek/river swimming hole near Pikeville (ky), KY

Creek/RiverKY

Breaks Interstate Park Swimming Spots

Breaks Interstate Park Swimming Spots is a creek swimming spot near Pikeville (KY), Kentucky. What people come for: Ratliff Hole: family-friendly swimming and tubing area; Pool Point: cliff jumping and rope swings. Access is free, and you will find picnic areas and camping. Best visited in May to September. Always scout water depth and check for submerged obstacles before jumping or diving.

FreePikeville (ky)

Clear Creek — creek swimming hole near Corbin, KY

CreekKY

Clear Creek

Fed by mountain springs and shaded by a dense canopy of hardwoods, this quiet creek winds through a landscape that feels genuinely removed from the modern world.

FreeCorbin

Clifty Creek — lake/cliffs swimming hole near Danville, KY

Lake/CliffsKY

Clifty Creek

There are no ticket booths, no snack bars, and no lifeguards. What you get instead is raw, unfiltered nature at its most inviting.

FreeDanville

Dog Slaughter Falls — falls swimming hole near London, KY

FallsKY

Dog Slaughter Falls

DOG SLAUGHTER FALLS is a falls destination on Dog Slaughter River in KY near London, Corbin, Williamsburg. Fee note: No. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.

FreeLondon

Falling Rock Quarry — commercial quarry swimming hole near Louisville, KY

Commercial QuarryKY

Falling Rock Quarry

Falling Rock Quarry (now also operating as Bluegrass Spring) near La Grange, Kentucky is a paid private quarry swim with deep clear water. Adult-oriented commercial site — confirm hours, age rules, and ticket prices before you go.

Fee variesLouisville

Gabes Branch Falls — falls swimming hole near Harlan, KY

FallsKY

Gabes Branch Falls

Gabes Branch Falls lies in Kentucky. Accessed by unmarked dirt roads that wind through dense Appalachian forest, the journey itself sets the tone.

FreeHarlan

Licking River — river swimming hole near Lexington, KY

RiverKY

Licking River

Winding through the rolling hills of northern Kentucky, the Licking River is one of the region's most beloved and unspoiled waterways. Fed by countless tributaries and shaped by centuries of geological change, this river has served as a gathering place for communities.

FreeLexington

Pickle Fork — lake swimming hole near Ashland, KY

LakeKY

Pickle Fork

Sitting along the shores of Paintsville Lake, this entirely undeveloped, unofficial spot draws visitors with its dramatic cliff faces, clear lake water, and the kind of deep Appalachian quiet that's getting harder and harder to find.

FreeAshland

Rock Quarry — bay - quarry swimming hole near Paducah, KY

Bay - QuarryKY

Rock Quarry

Rock Quarry near Paducah, KY is a free quarry swimming hole on Pisgah Bay (Kentucky Lake) in the Land Between the Lakes area — boat or hike in, scout depth before any jump.

FreePaducah

Red River Gorge Swimming Holes — river swimming hole near Lexington, KY

RiverKY

Red River Gorge Swimming Holes

Red River Gorge swimming holes in eastern Kentucky offer free sandstone creek and river pools amid cliff country. Informal access — check depth; many spots require short hikes.

Fee variesLexington

Short Creek — creek swimming hole near Somerset. London, KY

CreekKY

Short Creek

Short Creek near the Somerset / London corridor in Kentucky is a cold, spring-fed limestone creek swimming hole. Free informal access — very cold water year-round.

FreeSomerset. London

Temple Hill Area — creek swimming hole near Bowling Green, KY

CreekKY

Temple Hill Area

Temple Hill Area near Bowling Green, Kentucky is a creek swimming spot on Skagg's Creek. What people come for: Two distinct swimming spots: Happy Hollow and Lion’s Club Park; Clear, refreshing waters of Skagg’s Creek. You will find picnic areas and camping. Best visited in Late spring through early summer. Always enter unknown water feet-first.

Fee variesBowling Green