7 Spectacular Swimming Holes In The United States (PHOTOS)

Summertime and swimming holes are synonymous in many of our minds. Who doesn't strike up the image of children jumping into swimming holes as an emblem of summer? While beaches may be first choice for many, we here at HuffPost Green are big fans of swimming holes. Especially when we consider the water quality of our nation's oceans, many more may opt for swimming holes in rivers, ponds, lakes or streams. So take the plunge and head to your favorite swimming hole.

But first, flip through our slideshow for some destination inspiration. And, as always, we want to hear from you. Tell us about your favorite swimming holes in the comments.

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Havasu Falls, (Supai, AZ)

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Swimming Hole Expert Pancho Doll describes Arizona’s Havasu Falls as “the best swimming hole in the world.” With waters as blue as in the Caribbean, this waterfall stretches one hundred feet high. The Falls are located along the Grand Canyon’s south rim and are within the domain of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Accessing the “shangri-la of the Grand Canyon” can be quite a challenge. Visitors can either trek 10 miles or charter a helicopter to take a dip in this renowned swimming hole.

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Swimming Hole Expert Pancho Doll describes Arizona’s Havasu Falls as “the best swimming hole in the world.” With waters as blue as in the Caribbean, this waterfall stretches one hundred feet high. The Falls are located along the Grand Canyon’s south rim and are within the domain of the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Accessing the “shangri-la of the Grand Canyon” can be quite a challenge. Visitors can either trek 10 miles or charter a helicopter to take a dip in this renowned swimming hole.

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Best Spectacular Swimming Holes

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

pretty special spectacular!

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More: Check the water quality at your favorite swimming hole.

Comments

[YouDontWantMeHere]

11:09 AM on 08/13/2010

nope ain't been ta none of them butts i have been ta the quarries in Bloomington

[JackiChan]

12:08 PM on 09/08/2010

Them quarries ain't nothing! You don't know a swimmin hole from a goose neck!

[Mom4Choice]

08:59 AM on 08/04/2010

I live a short walk from a beautiful waterfall dam on Buck Creek in Helena, AL. Below the dam, kids can play in the shallow water, or above it, you can jump in from a rope swing to swim in the deeper water. It's the reason we decided not to build a pool in our back yard. With such natural (and free) beauty so close by, what would be the point?

[amleth]

08:40 PM on 08/02/2010

Try Blue Hole, West of Broadway, Virginia toward the WVA line. State facility w/grills and bathrooms. and sublime swimming and bathing.

[Michael Valentine]

11:27 PM on 08/01/2010

Slide Rock State Park in Arizona. I know, I know but it's chillrific.

[JackiChan]

12:10 PM on 09/08/2010

lol, You have no idea how many kiddies pee in the water up stream. plus that place gets way over crowded in the mid summer. 300+ all wanting to have a good time. FAIL.

[Snapper Snap]

10:33 PM on 08/01/2010

Hawaii would be nice if it wasn't full of people prejudice against outsiders.

[WheatonMA]

11:19 PM on 08/01/2010

You mean like the people in Arizona?

[Michael Valentine]

11:25 PM on 08/01/2010

Zing.

[Rodt]

07:45 AM on 08/01/2010

Potholes, Glade Park, CO spectacular.

[donbrown]

01:00 AM on 08/01/2010

They never think of Hawaii when they do these list of U.S. places -- hard to beat the Seven Sacred Fall on Maui or the specacular waterfall at the end of the Kalalau Trail on Kauai's Na Pali Coast...
...'but then I surmise there is some jealousy involved. It's hard for Alabama or Oklahoma to beat Hawaii in the beauty category after all....

Maybe most congenial....

[Amanda Donovan]

03:01 PM on 08/04/2010

i will take cape ann massachusetts over hawaii any day of the week.

[donbrown]

05:34 PM on 08/04/2010

Good...Will be thinking about you in January.

[Amalek]

11:42 PM on 07/31/2010

The Chutes at Deckers, Colorado.

[johnjohn1234]

09:42 PM on 07/31/2010

Pensacola Beach was on this list before April.

[Benjo333]

09:32 PM on 07/31/2010

I spend about 50% of my time in Northern Minnesota...I can tell you we top all of those...

[LosAngeles Swimmin]

02:21 PM on 07/31/2010

thanks mod for deleting my comment esp when we have a site 100% relevant to the content of this post. jesus christ. one more time. so cal has some of the best beaches in the world and also hosts some of the best swimmin holes in the world. check out our site with photos, videos and directions to many of them.
www.LosAngelesSwimmin.com

[kly1023]

01:14 PM on 07/31/2010

Mt Pleasant, MI on the Chippewa River, lovely little swimming hole, lots of people tubing by, and a nice little bit of rapids for the kids to ride their rafts down.

[krimekat]

01:09 PM on 07/31/2010

Great summer for swimming holes. Try some that're a little farther up the river and beyond beer cooler distance. A little knee muscle can yield lots of privacy.

[Flying O]

12:49 PM on 07/31/2010

My top spot - Beaver Lake, Arkansas - specifically at the cliffs by the dam! A 40 foot jump/dive spot into the clearest water you could imagine. Been going there for the past 45 years.

[LittleGirl]

08:10 AM on 07/31/2010

Ft Payne Alabama is my favorite! Been there.