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Best swimming lakes near asheville15 Best Beaches Near Asheville, NC () Top Beach Spots!.The Top 5 Swimming Holes Near Asheville
Forty-five minutes. Sliding Rock is a local classic if there ever was one. Tourists and Ashevilleians alike line up to take the slide down this broad, slippery boulder, splashing into the pool below. Its plenty safe, but I still have to ask: why do we do it? What force from the depths of our minds compels us to engage in such amusements? I cannot say. However, I can say the environs are stunning and easily enjoyed from several viewing-platforms dotting the area. Sliding Rock is open 10am to 6pm until Labor Day.
Simply put, it includes everything I look for in such a locale. Crowds are mitigated by the fact that the falls are split up among several cascades. If big crowds and long lines are not your cup of sweet iced tea, then make sure to visit Sliding Rock outside of these hours.
This may come as a disappointment for some and a relief to others, but Skinny Dip Falls is not actually a clothing-optional swimming hole. Waterfalls, jumping-off rocks, a deep plunge pool, and shallow areas for wading make it a very popular swimming spot. If you're determined to go au naturel , there are plenty of secluded spots to be found by exploring upstream.
Some of the best cliff jumping in the Southeast can be found in Cherokee National Forest, not quite two hours outside of Asheville. A series of curving back roads and a steep, mile-long hike will lead you to the base of Compression Falls—also known as Twisted or Twisting Falls—a 40 foot curtain of cascading water on the beautiful Elk River. Although this area is becoming increasingly popular, its remote setting and steep access trail keeps the massive summer crowds at bay.
A wide pool beneath the falls is ideal for swimming and sun bathing, and there are plenty of cliffs and jumping rocks to keep you entertained. Thrill seekers can find quite the adrenaline rush not to mention photo op by sliding directly over the falls into the pool. While lots of people do this, be aware that any time you willingly or unwillingly plunge off of a waterfall, you are risking bodily harm.
There have been a few unfortunate incidents of severe injuries resulting from people going over the falls. For those who wear real shoes to the forest, Hooker Falls is surrounded by several even more impressive cascades, including Bridal Veil Falls, High Falls and Triple Falls. The 17, acres include 55 miles of remote hiking trails. Lower Falls and the swimming hole it creates are about 3 miles into the forest on the Slickrock Creek Trail, making for a moderate 6-mile there-and-back hike.
There's also a 6. The foot-tall falls drop into a deep hole that benefits from a break in the forest canopy. Sun warms the mountain water and the rocks along the bank. An added bonus: The trailhead is near beautiful Calderwood Lake, a reservoir formed by a hydroelectric dam on the Tennessee River.
Lots of sunshine and smooth boulders provide places to warm up or leap into the water. The creek provides a mixture of shallow areas for wading and deep spots at the bottom of the falls. With its clear water and giant rocks, Midnight Hole is one of the most picturesque swimming holes around.
For a longer hike with more scenery, venture on to the foot Mouse Creek Falls, 0. Jeff Owenby, a member of the recreational staff in the Pisgah Ranger District, offers these tips for staying safe on the slippery rocks and in the clear waters of swimming holes. They may be self evident but lots of people overlook them, Owenby said. It can be difficult to gauge the depth of very clear water, so keep an eye on the little ones lest they get out over their heads.
Many of these swimming holes require a hike to reach them. Even if you're in an area that has cell service, let someone know where you're going. You can't tell by looking at a rock what's going to happen when you step on it.
Tread carefully and pay attention. When posing for a snapshot, don't focus on your face so much that you forget about your feet. Owenby said this common mishap sends many people home in pain. The water around waterfalls is often very clear, so the depth and force of the water can be hard to see.
Explore carefully or ask park staff for details. Top 9 Asheville-area swimming holes for a summer of fun. Emily Patrick epatrick citizen-times.
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