Swimming Holes

It is HOT! We do not have a pool (except a small plastic one in the back yard) and we do not have access to a pool that doesn't cost an arm and leg to join. I stumbled on this website when looking for cheap/ free alternatives to a community pool since my boys LOVE the water. It is http://swimmingholes.org and you can search for parks and off beat swimming holes in your area. Some of them are close to home and others you can take a day trip to go swim and enjoy the summer.

The website tells you many things like what town it is close, a link to Google maps, what type of water it is (hot spring, swimming hole, wading area, park), descriptions, and directions. Some have pictures attached and if there are facilities on site or near the area.

Here are a couple examples for states across the country:

Georgia:

Hike through the Cochran Mill Park along a medium-sized creek (Bear Creek) with several beautiful waterfalls and rock slides. Not really a swimming place, more a wading, water-play and sliding place. There is also a nature center here

Florida:

Rainbow Springs is a large spring and is the headwater for the Rainbow River. Can swim and snorkel (tube also but only at the campground) in the river. A beautiful park (used to be a private tourist attraction) and well worth a trip to visit this first magnitude spring and the Rainbow River, which is crystal clear over it's entire length. Great hike through the park also.

Utah:

Beautiful falls which drop 126 feet into a cool desert swimming pool. Three mile hike each way. Not much elevation change but it can be hot and much of it is on a sandy trail which is tiring. Popular hike, lots of people on weekends. Park at campground (may be crowded parking on weekends)and pay day use fee. Follow the well-marked trail north about 3 miles (each way) to the waterfall. May be shallow late in season. 

New York:

There is a very beautifully developed official swimming beach (with lifeguard) here in a glacier-scoured, spring-fed "kettle" lake. 

Arizona:

There is a very beautifully developed official swimming beach (with lifeguard) here in a glacier-scoured, spring-fed "kettle" lake. 

Hope you find some place nearby that you can enjoy! If you go, take some pictures and send them to us!