55 natural swimming destinations in Virginia.
Virginia has 55 swimming holes in our directory, including 17 river, 11 creek, 17 waterfall, 1 lake, 1 spring. 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.
Virginia swimming holes mix Blue Ridge creek falls, Shenandoah Valley runs, and a few managed river beaches. Mountain water stays cold; summer storms raise creeks fast.
Mountain Run near Harrisonburg and New Market is a frequent search winner. Use Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Roanoke, Richmond, Lexington, and Lynchburg nearby lists to plan drive time. Live counts are on our swimming holes in America dataset.
Near major cities: Charlottesville · Harrisonburg · Lexington · Lynchburg · Richmond · Roanoke
By water type: River (17) · Creek (11) · Waterfall (17) · Lake (1) · Spring (1) · Bay & Coastal (2) · Other (6)
Guides: Hidden gems (23) · Family friendly (15)
Popular regions: Devil's Bathtub & southwest Virginia swims
Guides: Virginia swimming holes (Shenandoah) · Swimming holes near Roanoke
Most-searched spots — open each listing for directions, fees, and safety notes.
Mountain Run near Harrisonburg, Virginia is a creek swimming spot on Mountain Run. What people come for: Secluded swimming hole in George Washington National Forest; Rock-hopping and mini-waterfalls along Mountain Run. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May through September. The trail involves rock-hopping and scrambling.
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Devil's Bathtub near Fort Blackmore, VA — a scoured sandstone chute and jade pool on Devil's Fork after multiple creek fords. Free USFS hike; parking overflows fast.
View detailsThe star of the show is a thundering 60-foot waterfall on Little Stony Creek that sends a curtain of white water crashing into a cool, crystal-clear pool below.
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Yorktown Beach is a free sandy public beach on the York River in Yorktown, VA — calm river swimming near Riverwalk Landing, Colonial Williamsburg, and Newport News.
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Fed by cool mountain runoff, the creek winds through dense hardwood forest before spilling across a series of smooth, water-worn rock formations that have drawn swimmers and thrill-seekers for generations.
View detailsHigh-intent spots include Mountain Run near Harrisonburg, Devil’s Bathtub / Devil’s Fork, Cascade Falls, and Yorktown Beach for a managed shoreline. Match the region to your starting city.
Mountain Run is a creek-and-falls hole near Harrisonburg and New Market. Open the listing for the scramble-in access notes — it is not a staffed park beach.
Many informal creek access points are free; state parks and some beaches charge. Always check the listing fee field and posted park rules.
Arnold Valley Pool on East Fork Elk Creek near Natural Bridge and Glasgow, Virginia is a free forest creek swim with a natural rock slide. Secluded Blue Ridge access — scout depth before sliding; no lifeguards.
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Ben Salem Wayside is a river swimming spot on Maury River near Buena Vista, Virginia. What people come for: Maury River swimming; Scenic Blue Ridge Mountains. Access is free, and you will find restrooms and picnic areas. Best visited in June-August. The Maury River's current can be strong, especially after rain.
View detailsBig Marys Creek Slide is a slide swimming spot on Big Mary's Creek near Staunton, Virginia. What people come for: Natural water slide carved by Big Mary’s Creek; Crystal-clear water ideal for swimming. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in June to September. Always test water depth and check for submerged obstacles before sliding or jumping.
View detailsBig Otter River lies in Virginia. There are no ticket booths, no snack bars, and no crowds.
View detailsBig Rock Falls near Luray, Virginia is a waterfall swimming spot on Mill Prong Creek. What people come for: Scenic 1.5-mile hike; Cool, clear waters. There is a fee or park admission, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in June through August. The pool depth and underwater hazards are unknown.
View detailsThere are no entrance booths, no lifeguards, and no amenities to speak of. Just you, the river, and the steady pull of one of the oldest waterways in North America.
View detailsBlowing Springs is a creek swimming spot on Back Creek near Lexington, Virginia. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters fed by Back Creek; Deep swimming pools near waterfalls. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in June to August. Always scout water conditions.
View detailsBlue Hole near Bergton, Virginia is a free North Fork Shenandoah River swimming hole in the Shenandoah Valley (Harrisonburg / Broadway day-trip range). Clear water and jump spots — check depth every time.
View detailsBlue Hole - Jonesville near Jonesville, Virginia is a river swimming spot on Powell River??. What people come for: Crystal-clear spring-fed water; Located in Powell River region. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Summer. Water conditions can change.
View detailsBreaks Interstate Park Area is a natural swimming spot in Virginia. What people come for: Stunning gorge carved by Russell Fork River; Cool, clear waters ideal for swimming. You will find restrooms, picnic areas, camping and parking. Best visited in Summer. Stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from all cliff edges and overlooks.
View detailsBullpasture Gorge is a river swimming spot on Bullpasture River near Staunton, Virginia. What people come for: Rope swing over the Bullpasture River; Swinging bridge access. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May to September. Assess water depth and current before entering.
View detailsCampbell Creek lies in Virginia. Reaching the creek demands a moderate hike across uneven terrain and steep descents, through forest corridors where poison ivy reminds you this is wild country.
View detailsThe star of the show is a thundering 60-foot waterfall on Little Stony Creek that sends a curtain of white water crashing into a cool, crystal-clear pool below.
View detailsCedar Creek Falls is a falls swimming spot on Big Cedar Creek near Abingdon, Virginia. What people come for: Refreshing creek swimming; Natural rock formations. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Spring. Always check water levels before swimming or jumping.
View detailsAccessible near the quiet towns of Clifton Forge and Millboro Springs, this stretch of unspoiled countryside draws swimmers, wanderers, and nature lovers who are willing to forgo modern conveniences in exchange for something genuinely wild and beautiful.
View detailsCharlottesville and Crozet Swimming Holes is a natural swimming spot near Charlottesville, Virginia. What people come for: Cool freshwater swimming; Seasonal beauty and wildlife. There is a fee or park admission, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas and parking. Best visited in Summer. Check water conditions upon arrival.
View detailsDark Horse Hollow is a creek swimming spot on Stony Fork Creek near Wytheville, Virginia. What people come for: Clear, spring-fed waters; Accessible location near Wytheville. Access is free, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas and camping. Best visited in Autumn. Check water conditions and depth before entering.
View detailsDouble Ford lies in Virginia, where Hazel River moves through a wooded corridor. Fed by the cool, clear waters of the Hazel River, this unofficial spot near Rixeyville offers an honest, unhurried escape from summer heat.
View detailsDevil's Bathtub near Fort Blackmore, VA — a scoured sandstone chute and jade pool on Devil's Fork after multiple creek fords. Free USFS hike; parking overflows fast.
View detailsElizabeth Furnace Area near Winchester, Virginia is a creek swimming spot on Passage Creek. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters of Passage Creek; Historic iron furnace remnants. Access is free, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas, camping and parking. Best visited in Spring. Always check water depth and current strength before entering.
View detailsFairy Stone S. P. is a potholes swimming spot on Fairy Stone Lake/ Philpott Reservoir near Roanoke, Virginia. What people come for: Rare fairy stones; Family-friendly swimming area. There is a fee or park admission, and you will find picnic areas, camping and parking. Best visited in June-August. No lifeguard is on duty at this unofficial area.
View detailsFalls of Dismal is a waterfall swimming spot on Dismal Creek near Blacksburg, Virginia. What people come for: Natural pool under tiered waterfalls; Lush forest surroundings. Access is free, and you will find restrooms, camping and parking. Best visited in June to August. There are no lifeguards.
View detailsFalmouth Riverside Park is a river swimming spot on Rappahannock River near Fredericksburg, Virginia. What people come for: Clear, cool waters of the Rappahannock River; Rich historical setting near Fredericksburg. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Spring. There are no lifeguards and the activity is discouraged by the park.
View detailsFOSTER FALLS is a waterfalls destination on New River in VA near Wytheville, Pulaski. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.
View detailsGoshen Pass Maury River Swimming Spots near Lexington, Virginia is a river swimming spot on Maury River. What people come for: Scenic gorge along the Maury River; Numerous swimming and tubing spots. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Summer. Always scout the water depth and check for submerged obstacles before jumping or sliding.
View detailsThe star of the scene is the historic covered bridge itself, a rare humpback-arched structure that curves gently overhead like a wooden rainbow.
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Visit Jefferson Pools (Warm Springs Pools) in Warm Springs, VA — historic geothermal bathhouses with timed soaks, fees, reservations, and directions from Lexington.
View detailsKEEP LOUDOUN BEAUTIFUL PARK is a creek destination on Goose Creek in VA near Leesburg. Confirm current access and conditions before you go — no lifeguards at informal spots.
View detailsWhat you find at the end of the trail is nothing short of breathtaking. A dramatic natural amphitheater where waterfalls cascade over layered rock faces into pools of crystalline water, all framed by dense Appalachian forest.
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At just $2.00 per person, the swimming area. Known locally as Longdale Pond.
View detailsMountain Run near Harrisonburg, Virginia is a creek swimming spot on Mountain Run. What people come for: Secluded swimming hole in George Washington National Forest; Rock-hopping and mini-waterfalls along Mountain Run. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May through September. The trail involves rock-hopping and scrambling.
View detailsThis unofficial but beloved destination sits at the confluence of wild creek and storied river, accessible via the Appalachian Trail and surrounded by the layered ridgelines and dense hardwood forests that define this corner of the state.
View detailsNarrows Town Park in Narrows, Virginia offers New River access for swimming and riverside recreation in a small-town park setting. Free municipal access — no lifeguards.
View detailsNatural Chimneys near Harrisonburg, Virginia is a river swimming spot on North River. What people come for: 120-foot towering limestone chimneys; Swimming in the North River. There is a fee or park admission, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas and camping. Best visited in May to October. This is an unofficial, unguarded swimming area.
View detailsNottoway Falls near Petersburg, Virginia is a waterfall swimming spot on Nottoway River. What people come for: Cooling freshwater pools; Picturesque forest surroundings. Access is free. Best visited in Summer. Assess water conditions upon arrival.
View detailsNorth Creek / Jennings Creek swimming holes in Virginia’s Blue Ridge near Natural Bridge Station offer free forest creek pools. Scout depth after rain; forest roads can be rough.
View detailsOld Rag Blue Ridge Swimming Spots lies in Virginia, where Varies (See Below) moves through a wooded corridor. While most hikers come to the Blue Ridge for the legendary rock scramble up Old Rag Mountain, the waterways threading through this corner of Virginia hold their own kind of magic.
View detailsHere, cool mountain-fed water tumbles through rocky hollows shaded by sycamore and oak, and the soundtrack is nothing more than moving water and birdsong.
View detailsNo roped-off lanes, no snack bars, no crowds jostling for a patch of shade. Just the sound of cascading water, the smell of damp earth and hemlock, and the sight of a waterfall spilling into a series of crystal-clear freshwater pools.
View detailsFed by cool mountain runoff, the creek winds through dense hardwood forest before spilling across a series of smooth, water-worn rock formations that have drawn swimmers and thrill-seekers for generations.
View detailsThe result is a scene of genuine, unspoiled beauty: cascading water, moss-edged rocks, and the steady murmur of a river that has been shaping this landscape for millennia.
View detailsPiney River Swimming Hole, Shenandoah National Park near Warrenton, Virginia is a falls swimming spot on Piney River. What people come for: Crystal-clear pools; Waterfall swimming spots. Expect a fee of about $10.00 per car, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas and camping. Best visited in Summer. Always assess water depth and current strength before entering.
View detailsRoaring Run Falls Day Use Area near Eagle Rock / Clifton Forge, VA — free easy ~1.5-mile loop to a ~35-ft cascade on Roaring Run, picnic sites, vault toilets, and the 1832 iron furnace. Cold creek swimming at your own risk; no lifeguards.
View detailsRichmond Downtown James River Swimming Spots lies in Virginia. Few cities in America offer what Richmond does: a wild, rock-strewn river rushing through the heart of downtown, close enough to office buildings that you can hear the city hum while your feet dangle in the current.
View detailsRiverside Drive James River Swimming Spots lies in Virginia. Here, the James River widens and slows into a broad, calm stretch of water, inviting swimmers and tubers to wade in and let the current carry their worries downstream.
View detailsSt. Marys Falls near Staunton, Virginia is a falls swimming spot on St. Mary's River. What people come for: Refreshing natural pool beneath cascading falls; 2-mile scenic hike through lush forest. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Late spring to early autumn. Wear sturdy footwear for the rocky, uneven trail.
View detailsSugar Hollow lies in Virginia, where Moorman'S River; North And South Fork moves through a wooded corridor. Here, the North and South Forks of the Moorman's River carve their way through ancient rock and dense forest, creating a chain of .
View detailsStaunton and Rapidan Rivers Swimming Spots, Virginia is a river swimming spot on Staunton River/Run, Rapidan River near Culpeper, Virginia. What people come for: Clear, deep swimming holes; Scenic trails with river views. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in March-May. Always test water depth and check for submerged obstacles before entering.
View detailsThere are no snack bars, no entry gates, no roped-off lanes. Just cold, clear mountain water tumbling over smooth stone, a canopy of hardwoods filtering the summer light, and the particular quiet that settles over a forest river on a warm afternoon.
View detailsTye River is a river swimming spot on Tye River near Waynesboro, Virginia. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters; Scenic Blue Ridge Mountains setting. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May to September. Always assess water depth and current strength before entering.
View detailsVirginia Creeper Trail Swimming Spots is a creek swimming spot on Whitetop Laurel Creek near Abingdon, Virginia. What people come for: Crystal-clear waters of Whitetop Laurel Creek; Close proximity to the historic Virginia Creeper Trail. Access is free, and you will find restrooms, picnic areas and camping. Best visited in June to August. Always test depth and current before entering.
View detailsThere are no ticket booths, no lifeguard stands, no concession carts. What you get instead is the James River in something close to its natural state: wide, unhurried, and alive with the sounds of the current moving over rock and the occasional great blue heron lifting off from the bank.
View detailsWhite Rock Falls near Waynesboro, Virginia is a falls swimming spot on White Rock Creek. What people come for: Cool, crystal-clear mountain water; Moderate 0.8-mile scenic hike. Access is free, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in Late spring to early summer. Assess pool depth and current strength before entering.
View detailsWildcat Pool near Mount Fair, Virginia is a falls with small pool swimming spot on Creek. What people come for: Crystal-clear creek water; Picturesque forest setting. There is a fee or park admission, and there are no facilities on site. Best visited in May. Submerged rocks and variable depths pose a serious hazard.
View detailsYorktown Beach is a free sandy public beach on the York River in Yorktown, VA — calm river swimming near Riverwalk Landing, Colonial Williamsburg, and Newport News.
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