Favorite Soothing Swimming Holes

A cool mountain stream
for a hot summer day. Visit Cascades!

If waterparks are a little too formal or busy for your vacation style, here are some natural water holes that will soothe your travel-weary feet and soul.

Blue Ridge Highlands

Cascades Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest includes a two-mile trail with views of the 66' waterfall. The 14' foot pool at the bottom is inviting to swimmers, but it's icy cold year-round! Dip your toes or jump right in, if you dare.

Fairy Stone State Park features a 168-acre lake adjoining Philpott Reservoir just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. This park is famous for its fairystones, which are little cross-shaped crystalline stones.

Eastern Shore

Assateague Island National Seashore on Chincoteague Island features both the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. You might even spot some wild ponies nibbling on sea grasses!

Chesapeake Bay

Gloucester Point Beach Park on the Chesapeake Bay features a shady and grassy park area with picnic areas and a shelter. The swimming area and sandy beach are perfect for sunbathing, wading, sand castles and other beach fun!

Hike the trails around Lake Moomaw and
then take a dip at the beach area!

Northern Virginia

Lake Anna State Park features a swimming beach on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes. Panning for gold and nature programs are other popular activities.

Shenandoah Valley

Goshen Pass, a favorite local swimming hole, was forged by the Maury River. The picnic shelter and huge boulders invite you stay a while and bask in the beauty of the Pass.

Lake Moomaw offers a mere 2,530 acres of lake! A convenient bathhouse makes the beach area quite enjoyable. Other activities at the Lake include boating, water sports, fishing, camping, picnicking, hiking and in-season hunting.

Sherando Lake features swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, and fishing. You'll find the sandy beach, shady grass area, and warm showers in the bathhouse to be quite inviting.

See what you can find at the bottom
of Lake Rawlings!

Southern Virginia

Lake Rawlings - a SCUBA & Camping Park features very clear lake water for scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. Who knows what you'll find on your underwater adventure!

Heart of Appalachia

You'll find Cave Springs, a small spring-fed swimming lake, in Wise County. The water is clean, crisp and definitely cool, as the lake is formed courtesy of a cave spring in the mountains above.

Tidewater/Hampton Roads

Buckroe Beach borders the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton and offers eight acres of family-friendly sandy beach. Rent chairs, umbrellas, and paddle boats for a full day of fun. Food vendors are often on-site with hot dogs and sno cones.

» Other Places to Swim
» Virginia's Beaches & Oceans