then turn right (west) on Clairmount Springs Rd.. 2. Learn more here. Graves Creek flows over a 15-foot rock wall into a pool of water surrounded by rock ledges. Find it on Google maps here. m_gallery_title = "13 of Alabama\'s best swimming holes 6.22.15"; It's one of Little River Canyon National Preserve's most famous hidden gems. If you are in the Birmingham area, check out the locations within an hour's drive below for a guide to outdoor places to beat the Alabama summer heat. m_gallery_permalink = "http://photos.al.com/4558/gallery/5_great_swimming_holes_in_alab/index.html"; The Icebox, Magnolia Springs. 1. ON STATE MAP BELOW: BLUE = swimming hole, RED = hot spring. Check out the website here and find it on Google maps here. Little River Canyon—Eberhart Point Sam Brown.
We went through two popular AL.com lists of Alabama swimming holes (click here for List 1 and here for List 2) and chose the 13 best places to swim in a natural setting.
listed below, which is a spectacular swimming hole.)
Follow her Odd Travels and Real Alabama boards on Pinterest. m_gallery_json = "https://blog.al.com/photogallery/4558/15360076.json"; Not verified. You can read all about this swimming hole below.
The official Swimming & Diving page for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Some sites are listed with more information on swimmingholes.org. LAT, LON (hike to) lat=33.4525, lon= Coldwater Creek, Calhoun County. Check out this Google Maps link from swimmingholes.org. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Call her at 256-701-0576, find her on Facebook, or use contacts at the top of this story.
m_gallery_type = "photo"; Gallery: 13 of Alabama's best swimming holes 6.22.15. m_gallery_type = "photo"; Alabama has plenty of great swimming holes found in its many miles of creeks, rivers and lakes. Click here for contact information. Pell City Lakeside Park: Lakeside Park is a one the many focal points of Logan Martin Lake. Carved over thousands of years by the Little River, Little River Canyon is known as one of Alabama's natural wonders. This popular swimming hole, which is named “Blue Hole,” is located within the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, in Pinson, Alabama—just 15 miles from Birmingham. m_gallery_blog_id = "4558"; Also note that our Alabama rainstorms cause water levels to rise. Protected by Friends of Hurricane Creek. Check here for more info and pictures. It's also one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Alabama. Formed by Town Creek, the falls span some 300 feet across at times. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, Jefferson County. Magnolia Springs is a tiny and scenic town in Baldwin County known for its small-town charm and slow pace. 281, Cheaha Skyway, and goes down this gorge to the falls. Upper Caney Creek Falls, Winston County. 13 Alabama swimming holes for hot summer days. What spot in Alabama can rate its beauty alongside a Mayan sinkhole, a blue lagoon in Iceland, a clear blue Jamaican stream and the Fairy Pools of Scotland? Check out the website here and find it on Google maps here. Updated 6/2011. Turkey Creek's Blue Hole is a popular swimming hole that attracts both locals and visitors.
Find Kinlock on Google maps here. www.swimmingholes.org, CHEAHA FALLS [CHEF]: Continue on the above trail to about 3 miles Updated 10/08. At the foot of Devil's Den Falls in Cheaha State Park in Clay County is a large and deep pool that draws swimmers each summer. m_gallery_id = "15360076"; Some folks recommend wearing swimming shoes. www.swimmingholes.org. 12. Find its location on Google Maps here. Visit Brookside's official website here for more info. Although several readers mentioned this picturesque site, swimmingholes.org included a warning about the site: "CAUTION: There are hidden deep places here and swift currents, be very careful with children here - life jackets recommended." 10. 7. Lake Tuscaloosa/Lake Nicol. Mardis Mill: Mardis Mills Falls, also known as Graves Creek Falls, is located between Cleveland and Blountsville in Blount County.
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Also, you'll definitely want to park only in the designated areas as cars parked illegally are often towed. Send your favorite, with a photo if you have one, to kkazek@al.com, to be added to a list of the state's best places for nature swimming. ), This swimming hole listing is by The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. m_gallery_title = "6 Great Swimming Holes in Alabama 7.7.14"; Day-use park with swimming, picnicking, fishing and a short nature trail. Visitors are advised to avoid the rough waters below the falls.". from High Falls Park at Grove Oak in Northeast Alabama near Guntersville, m_gallery = "birmingham_area_swimming_holes"; Fortunately, Alabama is filled with many outdoor spots that are perfect for beating the summer heat.
Learn more here. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. turn right (north) on High Falls Dr./High Falls Trail. m_gallery_creation_date = "Sunday, June 28, 2015, 12:56 AM"; It features plenty of swimming area and hiking trails. (There is also a popular hiking trail, Odum Trail, which begins up on RT Have a favorite that we missed?
Little River Canyon in DeKalb County, of course. Wind Creek boasts the largest state-operated campground in the United States with 626 sites. m_gallery = "5_great_swimming_holes_in_alab"; Find the location here.
HIGH FALLS CHEAHA [HIGC]: (This is a different place
See a SLIDESHOW of swimming hole photos in this state. (Photo of Taylor Cox by Bernard Troncale/AL.com File), Swimmingholes.org writes this family swimming site is: "Mostly very shallow, deeper near the bridge.". Learn more here. 9. The location is a great spot to spend a lazy afternoon and people watch. Saying Alabama is 'unique' is a gross understatement, so get out and enjoy it in the most youthful-pastime way possible—cooling off in a natural swimming hole. Wind Creek boasts the largest state-operated campground in the United States with 626 sites.
Waymarking.com writes: "Also known as Graves Falls, this 15-foot waterfall in rural Blount County, Alabama is popular with swimmers, kayakers and photography enthusiasts. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Five Mile Creek in Brookside: Plenty of natural rock formations like Kissing Rock can be seen in this Five Mile Creek swimming area in Brookside. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. 5. m_gallery_blog_id = "4558";
Call her at 256-701-0576, find her on Facebook, or use contacts at the top of this story. Lake Tuscaloosa/Lake Nicol, Tuscaloosa County. Kelly Kazek is following the trends and talking about Real Alabama. Carved over thousands of years by the Little River, Little River Canyon is known as one of Alabama's natural wonders. m_gallery_type = "photo"; Gallery: 6 Great Swimming Holes in Alabama 7.7.14.
Limestone Park on the Little Cahaba River: Limestone Tubing in Brierfield is a popular outfitter that rents tubes to float along this scenic part of the Little Cahaba River.
We are revisiting our feature on Alabama’s best swimming holes that offer some cool recreational fun. The park features a beach and community-built playground. LINK TO GOOGLE MAP.
The park's website says: "Wind Creek State Park spans 1,445 acres along the shores of scenic Lake Martin, a 41,000-acre clear-water reservoir perfect for fishing, swimming and boating. More info/photos can be found here. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. We've listed a few below. A reader on Facebook said Wind Creek Park on Lake Martin, near Alexander City, is a favorite swimming hole. Find a review and more information from the blog RoamSchool.com. Read about the falls here. Most are "swim-at-your-own risk" sites and most prohibit jumping. Know how to spot a swimmer in trouble. © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC. In decades past, the river was the "highway" for all commerce and communication, with steamers, sailboats and paddle wheelers connecting the river's residents with the outside world. m_gallery_permalink = "http://photos.al.com/4558/gallery/birmingham_area_swimming_holes/index.html"; m_gallery_creation_date = "Monday, July 07, 2014, 10:15 AM"; ", However, jumping is not recommended. 4. With summer just around the corner, you’re probably dreading the upcoming high temps. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities.". Hippie Hole is located off Highway 35 in Fort Payne, Alabama. Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! ", The town's website says: "Central to this community is the river - today the Magnolia River remains the only river route mail delivery in the continental United States. Alabama has plenty of great swimming holes found in its many miles of creeks, rivers and lakes. Click here to see the home page and learn At the foot of Devil's Den Falls in Cheaha State Park in Clay County is a large and deep pool that draws swimmers each summer. ", This beautiful swimming hole is listed on swimmingholes.org. The website DismalsCanyon.com says: "Swim in a natural pool carved out of solid rock by the rushing waters of Dismals Creek.". Hands down, the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve is one of Alabama’s most beautiful areas. Although several readers mentioned this picturesque site, swimmingholes.org included a warning about the site: "CAUTION: There are hidden deep places here and swift currents, be very careful with children here - life jackets recommended." After publishing a list of six Alabama swimming holes worth a visit, I asked readers to tell me their favorite out-of-the-way, cool-off spots. Only three other sites in America made the list - Hamilton Pool Reserve in Dripping Springs, Texas; Lucifer Falls in Ithaca, N.Y.; and Cummins Falls State Park, Tenn. Little River Canyon, carved over thousands of years by the Little River, is known as one of Alabama's natural wonders. Protected by Friends of Hurricane Creek. All rights reserved (About Us). about swimming holes in other states, This The Ice Box is located in the Magnolia River. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/20). m_gallery_title = "Birmingham area swimming holes "; Go past the Find it here. Please check regulations on swimming in any of these areas before going. Check out 10 ways to enjoy summer at Oak Mountain State Park here. Get more stories delivered right to your email.
The spot is popular with swimmers, photographers and kayakers.
1. LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. All rights reserved (About Us). m_gallery_json = "https://blog.al.com/photogallery/4558/18161878.json"; Check here for a swim guide and more information. Forested uplands, waterfalls, canyon rims and bluffs, pools, boulders, and sandstone cliffs offer settings for a variety of recreational activities." Little River Canyon, DeKalb County. This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org. A reader says the swimming hole is at the spring that feeds the river. The preserve's website says: "Little River is unique because it flows for most of its length atop Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Cahaba River at Grants Mill Rd: This area of the Cahaba River in Irondale offers access to several swimming holes.