7 of our favorite 'secret' swimming holes in the US
There's no doubt that, for people who decide to travel this summer, there's going to be a back-to-basics trend in the quest for fun. Road trips, RV rentals, national parks and the great outdoors are poised to be the destinations and trips of choice for many Americans who are ready to leave the confines of their homes over the next few months.
Related: National parks slowly reopen — Here’s everything you need to know
For those who want to cool down, but are looking for an alternative to major water parks and man-made lazy rivers, nature has some fun alternatives in the form of these seven Instagram-worthy natural swimming holes that locals love and visitors surely will, too.
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Related: The joy of booking new, realistic summer getaways
The Blue Hole in Texas
Among the Cypress trees in Central Texas, you'll find a 126-acre park that includes several acres of swimming in the shade and rope swings. You need to make advance reservations to swim in the so-called Blue Hole, and admission costs $10 for adults. Children get in for $6.
How to get there: Wimberley is 45 minutes southwest of Austin.
Related: 15 tips for picking the perfect Airbnb
Stony Brook State Park in New York
In the Finger Lakes region of western New York, you'll find multiple waterfalls and a stream-fed pool in Stony Brook State Park. There is one official swimming area that was created by damming off a part of the river. Admission is $7 per vehicle.
How to get there: Stony Brook is about an hour south of Rochester in Dansville, New York. From New York City, travelers can take advantage of regular Amtrak service to Rochester.
Related: Best weekend getaways from New York City
Rattlesnake Pool in Maine
A short hike is required to reach Rattlesnake Pool, and the effort makes it that much sweeter of a find. The water is clear, cold and a vibrant shade of green, though it can get crowded in the summer. Located on the site of a former airport, AvGeeks will thrill at walking along the old landing strip to reach the path. Pro tip: Nearby trails, such as those to the summit of Blueberry Mountain, are surrounded by wild blueberries during the late summer months.
How to get there: Rattlesnake Pool is near Fryeburg, Maine, though it’s right across the border from New Hampshire, making North Conway the more popular nearby town for travelers.
Related: Things to know about Acadia National Park
Hamilton Pool in Texas
The Hamilton Pool Reserve, located outside Austin, is home to a 50-foot waterfall that empties into a box canyon. While hiking is always a fun time in the hill country, swimming in Hamilton Pool does depend on bacteria levels. The pool has not yet reopened for the season, but when it does, you need to make reservations online, in advance, before you can jump into the cool, refreshing waters.
How to get there: Hamilton Pool is located in Dripping Springs, about 40 minutes west of Austin.
Related: 10 tips for anyone taking a road trip right now
Havasu Falls in Arizona
OK, it's hardly fair to include Havasu Falls because it's so amazing — and also amazingly difficult to reach. (To say nothing of the fact that it's not an especially well-kept secret.) This roughly 100-foot waterfall spills over red rock cliffs into an impossibly turquoise blue pool below and is located on Havasupai tribe land. So, you can't just show up and take a dip. Travelers must embark on a 10-mile strenuous hike in the desert heat to reach the swimming hole, and getting a reservation to make the hike and camp is tough. Bookings for the entire year can be snapped up in 30 minutes since only a few hundred permits are issued per day. Also, note that this area has not yet reopened after the coronavirus shutdown.
How to get there: The Havasupai Reservation is in the southwest corner of the Grand Canyon National Park, with the nearest community being Peach Springs, about 64 miles away.
Related: Best times to visit the Grand Canyon
Emerald Pool in New Hampshire
Similar to Rattlesnake Pool in size and hue, this is one of the most popular swimming holes among those in the know in New Hampshire when the mercury rises on unusually hot summer days. Expect an easy, flat 15- to 30-minute hike to reach Emerald Pool, and definitely visit midweek if your schedule allows.
How to get there: Emerald Pool is part of the White Mountains National Forest, and See Swim has great step-by-step instructions to help you find this secret spot.
Related: The New Hampshire ski town that's perfect for a summer getaway
Sliding Rock in North Carolina
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If you want a ride on a 60-foot natural waterslide down a boulder, head to North Carolina within the Pisgah National Forest. You'll climb up the stairs and take a fun ride down before splashing into the 7-foot pool at the bottom. Just be prepared for the splash into the 50- or 60-degree water. Pro tip: You definitely want to pack river shoes and water shorts for this one! Entry costs $3.
How to get there: Sliding Rock in Brevard, North Carolina is less than an hour's drive from the cool, funky town of Asheville.
Related: Best things to do in Asheville
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.