47 natural swimming spots across Arkansas —
River Swims,
spring-fed pools, waterfall plunge pools and hidden creek spots.
36 of 47 are free to visit.
47
Swimming Holes
36
Free Entry
15
Regions
🌲
Arkansas
47 holes listed
Type:
Swimming in Arkansas
Arkansas has 47 documented natural swimming spots
ranging from spring-fed pools to waterfall plunge pools and river swims.
36 of them are free to visit. Browse by region below or use the filters above to find the right type of swim for you.
Arkansas River Valley
2 spots
🏊
Big Shoal Creek
📍 Clarksville, Johnson County
Other🟡 ModerateFree Entry
A distinctive swimming hole at the foot of a 40-50-foot rock cliff featuring a natural hole said to be about the size of a half bushel.
A locally known swimming hole near Fort Smith, part of a stretch of the Mulberry River area where locals recommend asking around for the best current spot.
Central Arkansas's major canoeing/floating stream, with numerous swimming spots and scenic caves and bluffs along Arkansas Game and Fish Commission access points.
Pinnacle Mountain State Park (Maumelle River area)
📍 Little Rock, Pulaski County
Creek🟢 EasyFree Entry
A Little Rock-area state park known primarily for its hiking trail up Pinnacle Mountain, with limited creek wading access near the Little Maumelle River.
One of Arkansas's largest and clearest lakes, created by the Greers Ferry Dam in the 1960s, with abundant swimming beaches and rock-jumping coves along its extensive shoreline.
A National Natural Landmark and one of the world's largest springs, releasing ~9.8 million gallons of 58°F water hourly to form a 10-acre lake and the headwaters of the Spring River.
A 12-mile state natural area along the Wild & Scenic Cossatot River; in summer the whitewater run becomes calm enough for unique snorkeling through 'rock reefs' and deep pools.
⚠️ Safety Notice
Contains Class IV rapids; the whitewater section is for experienced paddlers only and is genuinely dangerous at high water. The calmer summer snorkeling area is safer but requires situational awareness.
A long, wide, stair-stepped cascade where the Little Missouri River tumbles through a rocky gorge — one of the signature features of the Ouachita Mountains.
A clear, clean Army Corps of Engineers swim beach on Lake Ouachita — Arkansas's largest lake — known for exceptional water clarity, rare freshwater jellyfish, and freshwater shrimp.
A reservoir near Arkadelphia known for a unique local snorkeling activity around underwater rock formations near its islands, plus standard swimming/fishing.
One of Arkansas's most scenic streams, featuring Richland Falls, a wide, low cascading waterfall considered one of the best swim/photo spots in the Ozarks.
A well-regarded swimming spot on the Mulberry River system, noted by local guides as an essential stop, though flow depends entirely on rainfall (no spring feed).
One of the most iconic and scenic swimming spots on the Buffalo National River, set beneath the towering Roark Bluff; also a put-in for floating and access to the Buffalo River Trail.
A long, scenic creek with numerous swimming access points from its origins near West Fork to its mouth at the Arkansas River; the Ark. 220 bridge is especially popular.
A picturesque waterfall and swimming spot below the Windsor Lake Dam, reached via an easy nature trail on land the private owners have opened to the public.
36 of the 47 swimming holes in our Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
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.
Is it safe to swim in natural swimming holes in Arkansas?
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 Arkansas?
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.