Swimming in Tennessee
Tennessee has 54 documented natural swimming spots
ranging from spring-fed pools to waterfall plunge pools and river swims.
37 of them are free to visit. Browse by region below or use the filters above to find the right type of swim for you.
All Regions
Cumberland Plateau (6)
Cumberland Plateau / Middle TN (1)
Cumberland Plateau / Upper Middle TN (1)
East Tennessee (8)
East Tennessee / Appalachian Trail (1)
East Tennessee / Cherokee NF (6)
East Tennessee / Cumberland Plateau (4)
East Tennessee / Middle TN border (1)
East Tennessee / Smokies (6)
Middle Tennessee (12)
West Tennessee (8)
Cumberland Plateau
6 spots
💦
Colditz Cove State Natural Area (Northrup Falls)
📍 Allardt, Fentress County
Waterfall
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
A 60-foot waterfall in a hemlock forest setting, with a shallow but swimmable pool at its base.
🏖️
Cumberland Mountain State Park (Byrd Lake)
📍 Crossville, Cumberland County
Lake
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
CCC-era lake park near Crossville with a designated swim beach on Byrd Lake.
💦
Fall Creek Falls (Cane Creek & Fall Creek Falls pools)
📍 Spencer / Pikeville, Van Buren / Bledsoe County
Waterfall
🔴 Difficult
Free Entry
Home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern US (256 ft); the 7-ft-deep pool at its base and the alternate Cane Creek Falls pool are both popular swim spots. Park also has an in-ground pool.
💦
Foster Falls
📍 Tracy City, Marion / Grundy County
Waterfall
🔴 Difficult
Free Entry
A large swimming hole with cold, clear water at the base of a dramatic 60-foot waterfall, popular with rock climbers too.
💦
Savage Gulf – Greeter Falls & Blue Hole
📍 Altamont, Grundy County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A natural swimming hole at the base of lush Greeter Falls within Savage Gulf, part of South Cumberland State Park.
💦
Stone Door / Laurel Falls (South Cumberland)
📍 Beersheba Springs, Grundy County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A 25-foot waterfall behind the Stone Door Ranger Station with a small pool, part of the South Cumberland trail network.
Cumberland Plateau / Middle TN
1 spots
💦
Machine Falls / Normandy Lake (Short Springs Natural Area)
📍 Tullahoma, Coffee County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A moderate hike to a waterfall, with the option to also swim in nearby Normandy Lake; part of the Short Springs Natural Area.
Cumberland Plateau / Upper Middle TN
1 spots
💦
Cummins Falls State Park
📍 Cookeville, Jackson County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Reservation Required
Named the "10th Best Swimming Hole in America" by Travel + Leisure in 2010; two-drop waterfall ending in a swimmable pool.
💦
Blue Hole Falls (Elizabethton)
📍 Elizabethton, Carter County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A lesser-known falls and swimming hole near Elizabethton mentioned in regional "secret swimming hole" roundups.
🪨
Chickamauga Creek ("Blue Hole")
📍 Soddy Daisy, Hamilton County
Creek
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
An unofficial "Blue Hole" and other swimming spots along Chickamauga Creek near Chattanooga.
🏖️
Douglas Lake
📍 Sevierville / Dandridge, Sevier / Jefferson County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Popular East Tennessee reservoir near Sevierville/Dandridge with several public swim/beach access points.
💦
Elrod Falls
📍 Sneedville, Hancock County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
An unofficial, lesser-known falls and swimming spot near Sneedville in far northeast Tennessee.
🏊
Fort Dickerson Park Quarry
📍 Knoxville, Knox County
Quarry
🔴 Difficult
Free Entry
⚠️ Safety Note
A scenic flooded Civil War-era quarry turned swimming hole, just minutes from downtown Knoxville.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Documented drownings at this site — no lifeguards, deep water with sudden drop-offs close to shore.
🏞️
French Broad River (Newport area)
📍 Newport, Cocke County
River
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Warmer, wider river swimming alternative to the cold mountain creeks, near Newport.
🏖️
Norris Lake
📍 Norris / Lafollette, Union / Campbell / Anderson County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
One of the clearest, deepest reservoirs in Tennessee, popular for boating and cove swimming.
🏖️
Watts Bar Lake
📍 Kingston / Spring City, Roane / Rhea County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
TVA reservoir on the Tennessee River with several public parks offering swim access.
East Tennessee / Appalachian Trail
1 spots
💦
Laurel Fork / Laurel Falls
📍 Hampton, Carter County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A series of swimming holes along Laurel Fork creek, reached via an Appalachian Trail hike to Laurel Falls.
East Tennessee / Cherokee NF
6 spots
💦
Baby Falls (Tellico River)
📍 Tellico Plains, Monroe County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
$4 USFS day-use fee
Popular 15-foot waterfall and swimming/tubing spot along the scenic Tellico River.
🪨
Backbone Rock (Beaver Dam Creek)
📍 Damascus, VA / Shady Valley, TN border, Johnson (TN) / Washington (VA) County
Creek
🟢 Easy
$2 USFS day-use fee
Small but scenic swimming hole on Beaver Dam Creek beside the Backbone Rock tunnel landmark on the TN/VA line.
🏞️
Blue Hole – Ocoee River
📍 Turtletown / Ocoee, Polk County
River
🟡 Moderate
$3 USFS day-use fee at…
Deep, clear pool on the Upper Ocoee near the 1996 Olympic whitewater venue; popular for jumping and snorkeling.
🏞️
Conasauga River
📍 Near Chattanooga (Cherokee NF, TN/GA line), Polk (TN side) County
River
🟡 Moderate
$3 USFS day-use fee
Unofficial swimming and snorkeling spots on one of the most biodiverse rivers in North America, straddling the TN/GA line.
🏞️
Hiwassee River
📍 Reliance / Delano, Polk / McMinn County
River
🟢 Easy
$3 USFS day-use fee at…
A cooler, gentler alternative to the Ocoee for tubing and swimming, with several public access points near Reliance.
🪨
Rock Creek (Bristol/Johnson City area)
📍 Erwin, Unicoi County
Creek
🟡 Moderate
$2 USFS day-use fee
A managed creek-fed swimming pool within a US Forest Service recreation area near Erwin.
East Tennessee / Cumberland Plateau
4 spots
🏞️
Big South Fork NRRA – Burnt Mill Bridge & Gentlemen's Swimming Hole
📍 Rugby, Scott / Fentress County
River
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Multiple swimming spots along the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River within this NPS-managed river gorge.
🪨
Frozen Head State Natural Area (Flat Fork Creek)
📍 Wartburg, Morgan County
Creek
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Unofficial swimming holes on Flat Fork Creek within this rugged Cumberland Plateau natural area.
🏞️
Obed Wild & Scenic River – Nemo & Lily Bridge
📍 Wartburg, Morgan County
River
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
A locals' rite of passage — two popular access points on the Obed River known for deep swimming pools and rock jumping.
💦
Ozone Falls
📍 Crossville, Cumberland County
Waterfall
🔴 Difficult
Free Entry
A dramatic 110-ft waterfall with a swimmable pool at its base, just off US-70 near Crossville.
East Tennessee / Middle TN border
1 spots
💦
Carmac Falls
📍 Smithville, DeKalb County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Paid day-trip reservation required at…
Reservation Required
A lesser-known waterfall and swimming spot near Smithville, in the region bordering the Cumberland Plateau.
East Tennessee / Smokies
6 spots
💦
Abrams Falls swimming hole
📍 Cades Cove, Blount County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
One of the most impressive swimming holes in the Smokies; a wide (~100 ft) pool beneath Abrams Falls in Cades Cove.
🏞️
Greenbrier (Little Pigeon River)
📍 Gatlinburg, Sevier County
River
🟢 Easy
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
Deep sections of the Little Pigeon River near the Greenbrier entrance, good for both swimming and sunbathing.
🏞️
Metcalf Bottoms (Little River)
📍 Between Gatlinburg & Townsend, Sevier County
River
🟢 Easy
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
Family-friendly picnic area with several shallow swimming holes ideal for wading, floating, and tubing.
💦
Midnight Hole (Big Creek)
📍 Big Creek / near Waterville, NC line, Cocke (TN side) / Haywood (NC) County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
One of the most famous swimming holes in the Smokies — an emerald pool between boulders fed by a small cascade, right on the TN/NC line.
💦
The Sinks (Little River)
📍 Between Gatlinburg & Townsend, Sevier County
Waterfall
🟢 Easy
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
⚠️ Safety Note
Popular, powerful swimming hole created inadvertently by early-1900s logging operations; deep pool below a cascade.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Documented drownings at this popular jump/swim spot; deep pool with rocks people jump from.
🏞️
Townsend Wye ("The Y")
📍 Townsend, Blount County
River
🟡 Moderate
GSMNP Parking Tag required ($5/day…
A fork in the Little River popular for tubing and swimming, with small rapids, a jump-off rock, and large pools.
Middle Tennessee
12 spots
🏞️
Blue Hole – Buffalo River
📍 Flatwoods area, Perry / Humphreys County
River
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
An unofficial but well-known "Blue Hole" swimming and jumping spot on the Buffalo River, a popular canoeing river near Nashville.
🏖️
Edgar Evins State Park (Center Hill Lake)
📍 Silver Point, DeKalb / Putnam County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A boating-focused state park on Center Hill Lake in DeKalb County; check current operating status before visiting.
🏞️
Henry Horton State Park (Duck River)
📍 Chapel Hill, Marshall County
River
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
State park along the Duck River between Murfreesboro and Franklin, popular for canoeing and casual river swimming.
💦
Jackson Falls (Natchez Trace Parkway)
📍 Along Natchez Trace Pkwy, near Hohenwald, Lewis County
Waterfall
🔴 Difficult
Free Entry
A scenic stop along the Natchez Trace Parkway with a small waterfall; more of a wading/photo spot than a deep swim.
🏖️
Montgomery Bell State Park (Lake Acorn Swim Beach)
📍 Burns, Dickson County
Lake
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
A swim beach on Lake Acorn just steps from the newly renovated park Lodge, one of three lakes in this 3,850-acre park.
🏞️
Narrows of the Harpeth State Historic Area
📍 Kingston Springs, Cheatham County
River
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
A scenic bend of the Harpeth River carved with a historic 18th-century tunnel; popular for swimming, canoeing, and hiking.
🏖️
Old Hickory Lake
📍 Hendersonville / Old Hickory, Davidson / Sumner / Wilson County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
$5 USACE day-use fee at…
Reservoir northeast of Nashville with several public parks offering swim access.
💦
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park (Big Falls / Blue Hole)
📍 Manchester, Coffee County
Waterfall
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
A 2,000-year-old Native American ceremonial site with scenic waterfalls (including Big Falls) and swimmable pools along its loop trail.
🏖️
Percy Priest Lake
📍 Nashville (Hermitage/Antioch area), Davidson / Rutherford / Wilson County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
$5 USACE day-use fee at…
A popular, close-in Nashville reservoir with clear water and several beach/swim access points.
💦
Stillhouse Hollow Falls
📍 Summertown, Lawrence County
Waterfall
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
An unofficial waterfall and swimming spot in a quiet, less-visited part of Middle Tennessee near Summertown.
🏞️
Stones River Rentals (Middle Fork Stones River)
📍 Christiana, Rutherford County
River
🟡 Moderate
Rental/access fee ($20+)
A privately run river outfitter on the Middle Fork Stones River offering managed swimming, canoeing, and tubing access.
🏖️
Tims Ford State Park (Tims Ford Reservoir)
📍 Winchester / Tullahoma, Franklin / Moore County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
3,546-acre reservoir park at the foot of the Cumberland Plateau in south-central Tennessee, with swim beach access.
🏖️
Big Hill Pond State Park
📍 Pocahontas, McNairy County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A less-visited West Tennessee park with cypress boardwalks and a fire tower; swimming is secondary to hiking and paddling here.
🏖️
Chickasaw State Park (swim beach, Pin Oak / Cub Lake area)
📍 Henderson, Chester / Hardeman County
Lake
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
Family-friendly West Tennessee state park with a designated lake swim beach and horseback riding trails.
🏖️
Garner Lake
📍 Lakeland (Memphis area), Shelby County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Private HOA access only; no…
Shelby County's largest lake at 235 acres, popular locally for boating, paddleboarding, and swimming near Memphis.
🏞️
Ghost River (Wolf River)
📍 Moscow / La Grange, Fayette County
River
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
A uniquely beautiful, slow "Ghost Section" of the Wolf River through cypress trees and wetlands — better known for paddling than swimming.
🪨
Mousetail Landing State Park
📍 Linden, Perry County
Creek
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
Historic river port park along the Tennessee River with creeks and riverbank access for casual swimming/wading.
🏖️
Natchez Trace State Park (Cub Lake & Pin Oak swim beaches)
📍 Wildersville / Eva, Henderson / Carroll / Benton County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
One of the largest and most remote West Tennessee state parks, with a free public swim beach at Cub Lake and a second beach for overnight campers at Pin Oak. Lodge under reconstruction through spring 2028.
🏖️
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park (Kentucky Lake)
📍 Eva / Camden, Benton County
Lake
🟡 Moderate
Free Entry
State park on the shores of Kentucky Lake with swim beach and marina access.
🏖️
Pickwick Landing State Park (Circle Beach, Sandy Beach, Bruton Branch)
📍 Pickwick Dam, Hardin County
Lake
🟢 Easy
Free Entry
Pickwick Lake's flagship state park with three public beaches (Circle, Sandy, and Bruton Branch across the lake) plus lodge pools for overnight guests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are swimming holes in Tennessee free?
37 of the 54 swimming holes in our Tennessee guide are completely free to visit.
Others charge a small entry fee, typically $5–15 per person.
Use the "Free Entry" filter above to see only the free spots.
When is the best time to visit swimming holes in Tennessee?
Late spring through early fall is generally the best season — typically May through September.
Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends, especially at popular spots.
Spring-fed holes maintain consistent water temperatures year-round, making them swimmable even outside peak season.
Do I need a reservation to visit Tennessee swimming holes?
2 of the spots in our guide require advance reservations, particularly
during peak summer weekends. These are marked with a "Reservation Required" badge on each listing.
Always book 1–2 weeks ahead for popular spots in July and August.
Is it safe to swim in natural swimming holes in Tennessee?
Natural swimming holes are generally safe when you check conditions before visiting.
Always check water levels after heavy rain, watch for blue-green algae in warm still water,
never swim alone in remote locations, and heed any posted closure signs.
Spots with known safety concerns are marked with warning badges in our listings.
What should I bring to a swimming hole in Tennessee?
Essentials: dry bag for your phone and keys, water shoes for rocky creek beds,
reef-safe sunscreen, plenty of drinking water, and a microfibre towel.
If visiting a remote spot, bring more water than you think you need and let someone
know where you're going before you leave.