Outdoors swimming HOLES
Transylvania County is blessed to have a number of swimming holes that will help you stay cool during the summer. Most importantly, be careful when using these swimming holes as they are often located beside waterfalls, which will likely have slippery rocks and unseen hazards in the waters.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE SWIMMING HOLES:
– Sliding Rock- Recreation Area
The most popular swimming hole in the region is the Sliding Rock Recreation Area in Pisgah National Forest. Sliding Rock is a 60-foot natural water slide that ends in an 8-foot-deep pool of water. The area includes two observation platforms and is staffed during the season. Sliding Rock is located about 8 miles along U. S. 276 from the entrance to the forest in the Pisgah Forest community. It is officially open daily from 9 a. m. until 6 p. m. and staffed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A daily fee of $ 5 per person is charged. Be warned, Sliding Rock can sometimes receive more than 1,000 visitors a day, but it’ s well worth the visit.
– Coon Tree Picnic –
Another popular swimming hole spot in Pisgah National Forest can be found at the Coon Tree Picnic Area. To get there, travel roughly 4.9 miles along U. S. 276 from the forest entrance. The picnic area is on the left. The swimming hole is behind the picnic area on the left.
– Skinny Dip Falls –
Another swimming area can be found traveling up U. S. 276 to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Skinny Dip Falls swimming hole is just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The half-mile trail to the falls is directly across the Parkway from the Looking Glass Overlook at milepost 417. Walk roughly 400 yards to a four-way trail crossing and continue straight on the Mountains to Sea Trail until you come to the upper portion of the falls.
– Courthouse Falls –
Another popular swimming hole – Courthouse Falls – can be found by traveling along the Parkway to the N. C. 215 intersection and heading south for 6.5 miles. Then, take a left on Forest Road 140 and park on the right just after crossing Courthouse Creek.
– Hooker Falls –
On the other end of county is the Hooker Falls swimming hole, located in DuPont State Recreational Forest. From Brevard, take U. S. 276 to Cedar Mountain, turn left on Cascade Lake Road and proceed 2.5 miles to Staton Road, turn right and drive about 2.5 miles to the bridge over the Little River. A parking lot is just to the left, and Hooker Falls is on an easy trail from the lot. This swimming hole is large, but it has become very popular over the past several years, so expect crowds.
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