Waterfalls are some of the most fascinating bodies of running freshwater. An absolute pleasure to witness, these breathtaking features are a feast for the eyes, ears, and – if their waters are safe enough to wade in – the rest of the senses. Transformed over the course of thousands of years, well-established waterfalls are instrumental in purifying water and in shuttling oxygen and nutrients into their associated habitats.
Given its immense energy flow, a waterfall may be a dangerous site for both inexperienced and expert swimmers or hikers. The sheer force of continuously pounding water can cause fatal accidents. One should never swim right beneath the curtain of water, which can easily push heavy materials into their surrounding depths or into areas that are full of natural traps, such as the exposed roots of trees and boulder formations.
Fortunately, some beautiful waterfall systems create fairly protected and calm pools that are easily accessible via beginner-level trails. Swimmers may relax in these “plunge pools” as long as they stay away from the churning currents, known as hydraulics, created by the running water. Regardless of how “safe” the plunge pool appears to be, it pays to always ensure that a straightforward emergency plan, supervision, and a first aid kit are at hand.
1) Little River Falls (Alabama)
Found in the state’s Little River Canyon National Preserve, the Little River Falls is a marker for where the canyon initially formed. This must-see, scenic feature is around 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall and has a record water flow rate of about 11,000 cubic feet/second. Its flow rate is significantly influenced by how much rainfall its source river sees. In winter and spring, when rains tend to be more frequent, the water level is kept consistently high.
From a distance, Little River Falls appears to have a calm and wide plunge pool. Visitors are recommended to keep clear of the crest at all times, especially as the gushing water is usually strong enough to cause accidents. For the safety of all swimmers, it is prohibited to be within 50 feet of the waterfall’s brink or crest. There are rails and barriers in place to prevent visitors from entering accident-prone areas. As the rocks leading to the water’s edge may be steep or slippery, those who wish to simply admire the falls from a distance can revel in the views from a boardwalk trail.
2) Carlon Falls (California)
Now popularized as a swimming hole in summer, when water flow levels have diminished to relatively safe levels, Carlon Falls is a lovely feature of Yosemite National Park. In fact, taking the trail to its plunge pool is a great way to get some breathtaking views without entering the paid section of the park. A waterfall with a width and height of about 20 – 30 feet (6 – 9 meters), its small size leaves visitors feeling like they’ve encountered a natural spectacle made just for them.
Trailing from the plunge pool are cascades of miniature falls that meander through smaller sections of the stream system. Flanked by shorelines with diverse communities of wildflowers, this waterfall is surrounded by trails that give hikers a snapshot of what the park has to offer. Swimming during the spring runoff season can be quite risky, given the surge in water flow. It’s essential to plan ahead and target warm, rain-free weeks, which is when both the area around the pool and the trail leading up to it are easier to navigate.
3) Havasu Falls (Arizona)
A major fixture of Havasu Creek, Havasu Falls is one of the most unforgettable destinations in Arizona’s Grand Canyon. Known for its alluring, jewel-toned hues, the blue-green plunge pool and dams surrounding the falls have high calcium carbonate levels. Flanked by substrates with warm, reddish-brown tones, the water is as enticing as an ice-cold drink during a particularly hot day! The main section of the waterfall consists of a solid chute of water. This gushes over a 90 to 100-foot (27 to 30-meter) cliff.
Visitors frequently wade in the calmer sections of the plunge pool, with some occasionally venturing behind the curtain of water to gain access to a hidden rock shelter. While wading in the pool should be perfectly safe for experienced swimmers, approaching the main chute is not recommended as drownings have unfortunately occurred. Given the expanse of vast beauty in the surrounding Havasupai lands, it would be best to simply lay back along the safer shores of the pool and admire the location’s general splendor.
4) Bond Falls (Michigan)
Bond Falls is located in the central section of Michigan’s Ontonagon River, a stretch of freshwater that flows into Lake Superior. Though it is not considered a fully natural waterfall due to major, dam-related alterations to water flow, it is a lovely area for picnics and a summer day’s quick plunge. Around 50 feet (15 meters) tall, the waterfall itself is broken into several levels by a bed of fractured rock creating a stair-like base. The complex appearance of the falls is best admired in fall, when its surrounding forests are transformed by the warm-toned canopies of deciduous trees.
Of course, the best time to swim in this waterfall’s plunge pool is in summer, when the water temperature is manageable. The trail to the falls is straightforward, making it easily accessible to a range of visitors. The base of the falls is visible from a paved, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk. Even pets may relish in the cool mist generated by the pounding water!
5) Bridal Veil Falls (Georgia)
A water feature that shares its name with many other waterfalls found all around the world, Georgia’s very own Bridal Veil Falls is known for its visitor-friendly swimming hole. Its curtain of water flows over gradually sloping rock, allowing it to enter the pool in a relatively gentle manner. On particularly sunny days with consistent yet light water flow, the running water resembles a translucent veil. Swimmers should find themselves floating peacefully in the main plunge pool and some of the surrounding small pools.
Though swimming in Bridal Veil Falls is far from challenging, it’s the hike to get here that may be daunting. With only 100 permits to the Gorge Floor Trail issued per day, it may also be difficult to acquire access during the peak tourist period in summer. As the trail is packed with boulders, visitors should be prepared to scale all manner of rocks. Local hikers attest to the beauty of the trail and the spectacular landscapes through which it weaves. The dip at the falls’ plunge pool should be the cherry on top of an early morning’s efforts to witness unforgettable views!
6) Cummins Falls (Tennessee)
Nestled in Cummins Falls State Park, Cummins Falls is Tennessee’s eighth-largest waterfall. This idyllic destination is found on the Blackburn Fork River, which draws recreational anglers, hikers, and experienced swimmers each year. The main section of the falls has two drops falling into separate pools. The taller drop, with a height of around 50 feet (15 meters), falls into a shallow plunge pool. The second drop, which may appear to mask the lower sections of the first drop, has a height of about 25 feet (7.6 meters). This falls into a larger swimming hole.
Layers of smooth stone form graduated slopes along the edges of the swimming hole, giving it a multi-leveled appearance. Swimmers may even sit on rocks found beneath the gentler cascades. As the park is free to enter and is managed by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, it tends to be packed with outdoor enthusiasts each summer.
7) Jump Creek Falls (Idaho)
Jump Creek Falls is an enchanting, year-round destination in Marsing – a small city in Southwestern Idaho. Accessible via a short hiking trail, it boasts a modest height of about 60 feet (18 meters). Its veil of water tends to fall quite gently in summer, so its surrounding swimming hole has calm waters through the season. On especially warm days, the wall of stone behind the waterfall is clearly visible.
The canyon around Jump Creek Falls is known for its majestic, hundred-foot rock walls. Many hikers begin the day by exploring the nearby trails. They make their way to the falls when a refreshing dip seems necessary to beat the heat. The forested area around the plunge pool is spotted with red osier dogwood trees and water birch trees. Note that poison ivy tends to grow around the area as well.
8) Pe’epe’e Falls (Hawaii)
As Hawaii is known for its lush and ragged cliffs, with drops that produce some of the world’s most stunning waterfalls, it comes as no surprise that one of its famous water features has made it on this list. There is a catch, however, as the pool right beneath the main section of the falls (locally known as “Boiling Pots”) may be too dangerous to swim in or to hike around during the rainy season. Instead, swimmers may bask in the calmer pools downstream.
Fed by the Big Island’s longest river, the Wailuku River, Pe’epe’e Falls is located close to a more popular waterfall, the Rainbow Falls. The latter is taller, around 80 feet (24 meters), and innervates a pool that is not open to swimmers. Surrounding these active water features are rocky shorelines and unclear hiking trails. Visitors are advised to be extra careful when hopping and scaling over the rocks, especially if they are wet and slippery. Note that hiking regulations around the Wailuku River may differ based on weather conditions.
9) Warren Falls (Vermont)
The swimming holes of Warren Falls are highly popular amongst local hikers because of their lush, natural beauty and their suitable depth for cliff jumpers. The deep pools are easily accessible via well-used footpaths surrounding view-packed trail loops. The waterfall is fed by the Mad River, which is known for its clear waters and its rocky substrates. The river itself also attracts swimmers and has become an important resource for ecological research and public education.
The plunging pools of Warren Falls have an average depth of around 12 feet (3.7 meters) during the peak season (May to October). Of course, the amount of rainfall received by the source river significantly affects the depth of the pools. Cliff jumpers often flock to the tall boulders surrounding the pools, creating a conga line of ever-energetic thrill seekers. Though these pools are considered some of the safest water features for cliff jumping, keep in mind that the activity itself is highly hazardous and can be risky even for athletic individuals.
10) DeSoto Falls (Alabama)
Found in DeSoto State Park, DeSoto Falls is a 104-foot (32-meter) water feature that plunges into a deep swimming hole. The gushing action of the falls has carved its own miniature canyon in the rock face. The wall around the plunging pool clearly depicts its history through its subtly varied geological layers. Swimming here should remind curious visitors of the immense amount of time it takes for waterfalls and their associated pools to form!
The area around DeSoto Falls is popular as a destination for family picnics and water sports. As there is no lifeguard overseeing the swimming hole and the surrounding creeks, visitors are advised to swim at their own risk. The bottom of the falls is quite far from the access point to the pool, so visitors may cautiously approach it with a canoe or kayak. The water level and flow rate may vary significantly from one area to another, but these are generally at their lowest in summer.
Waterfall-Related Dangers to Keep in Mind
While the waterfalls on this list are regarded as relatively safe to visit and swim in, particularly during summer, no one can guarantee that they will not be sites of future accidents. As waterfalls are natural freshwater systems, they contain elements that may be harmful to unsuspecting persons. These high-energy systems may harbor dangerous pathogens, be occasionally insect-infested, may have slippery or rocky shorelines, and may produce rough torrents during periods of high flow.
It’s also important to keep in mind that siphons and sieves may be found in the plunge pools of waterfalls. Siphons, zones between two submerged rock faces, may have a sucking force that pulls swimmers downward and into the depths of the pool. Sieves, on the other hand, are made when networks of boulders or exposed roots are found where flowing water is pushed to another part of the pool or exits into a stream. It may be exceedingly difficult to swim against gushing currents, even for seasoned swimmers.
As a rule of thumb, always make sure to have people with you when visiting natural swimming holes. Before getting into the water, try to gauge the strength of the current and its direction of flow. Do not approach the turbulent or bubbly area around the base of the waterfall. Don’t attempt to swim close to or behind a curtain of flowing water when intoxicated. Always keep a clear head around waterfalls!
