Stones River Rentals (Middle Fork Stones River)
A privately run river outfitter on the Middle Fork Stones River offering managed swimming, canoeing, and tubing access.
Swimming Holes
Blue Hole – Buffalo River
An unofficial but well-known “Blue Hole” swimming and jumping spot on the Buffalo River, a popular canoeing river near Nashville.
Narrows of the Harpeth State Historic Area
A scenic bend of the Harpeth River carved with a historic 18th-century tunnel; popular for swimming, canoeing, and hiking.
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park (Big Falls / Blue Hole)
A 2,000-year-old Native American ceremonial site with scenic waterfalls (including Big Falls) and swimmable pools along its loop trail.
Cummins Falls State Park
Named the “10th Best Swimming Hole in America” by Travel + Leisure in 2010; two-drop waterfall ending in a swimmable
Colditz Cove State Natural Area (Northrup Falls)
A 60-foot waterfall in a hemlock forest setting, with a shallow but swimmable pool at its base.
Cumberland Mountain State Park (Byrd Lake)
CCC-era lake park near Crossville with a designated swim beach on Byrd Lake.
Machine Falls / Normandy Lake (Short Springs Natural Area)
A moderate hike to a waterfall, with the option to also swim in nearby Normandy Lake; part of the Short
Stone Door / Laurel Falls (South Cumberland)
A 25-foot waterfall behind the Stone Door Ranger Station with a small pool, part of the South Cumberland trail network.
Foster Falls
A large swimming hole with cold, clear water at the base of a dramatic 60-foot waterfall, popular with rock climbers