9 natural swimming spots across Delaware —
Natural Swimming,
spring-fed pools, waterfall plunge pools and hidden creek spots.
3 of 9 are free to visit.
9
Swimming Holes
3
Free Entry
4
Regions
🌊
Delaware
9 holes listed
Type:
Swimming in Delaware
Delaware has 9 documented natural swimming spots
ranging from spring-fed pools to waterfall plunge pools and river swims.
3 of them are free to visit. Browse by region below or use the filters above to find the right type of swim for you.
Central Delaware
2 spots
🏊
Killens Pond Waterpark
📍 Felton, Kent County
Pool🟢 EasyWaterpark: $8 under 48 inches…⚠️ Safety Note
A developed water park within Killens Pond State Park, featuring speed and spiral slides up to 54 feet, a zero-depth-entry main pool, and concessions. This is a swimming pool complex, not the natural pond itself, which is used for paddling…
⚠️ Safety Notice
This is a developed, chlorinated waterpark facility, separate from and not to be confused with Killens Pond itself (the natural 66-acre pond, which is used for paddling and fishing, not swimming).
A small Delaware Bay town beach — regional guides specifically note this is best avoided FOR SWIMMING during the spring/early-summer horseshoe crab spawning season, when the beach becomes a major crab breeding site and the name itself reportedly derives from…
⚠️ Safety Notice
This beach hosts a major horseshoe crab spawning event each spring/early summer, during which regional guides explicitly advise against swimming here. Not a safety hazard to humans in the traditional sense, but a seasonal usability issue worth flagging clearly.
⚠️ Safety Notice
This is explicitly described as a boat launch and picnic area first, with informal swimming as a secondary, undesigned use — no lifeguards, no designated swim zone, and no water-quality monitoring specific to swimmers.
One of Delaware's flagship state parks, with a lifeguarded ocean beach alongside WWII history and birding — a well-rounded coastal day trip beyond just swimming.
📍 Rehoboth Beach / Bethany Beach area, Sussex County
River🟢 Easy$5 In-State / $10 Out-of-State…
A large coastal state park offering both ocean-side swimming (lifeguarded in summer) and calmer bay-side swimming near Indian River Inlet — probably Delaware's most complete developed swim destination.
A coastal pond and beach area within Cape Henlopen State Park. The beach area offers guarded ocean swimming in the summer, while the pond itself is a scenic wildlife and birdwatching site rather than a swimming area.
Regional guides specifically recommend this as the best option for visitors wanting to see the bottom clearly and have lifeguards present for children — a private water park rather than a natural swimming hole.
3 of the 9 swimming holes in our Delaware 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 Delaware?
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 Delaware?
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 Delaware?
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.