Secret Swims: Survey Reveals America’s Favorite Wild Swims

While swimming laps in a municipal pool is all well and good - apart from the smell of chlorine and the rowdy kids - there’s just something about diving into a wild, untouched swimming hole. Think open-air swimming spots which are at one with their environment - nestled in a forest, carved into a canyon, or tucked behind mossy rocks - which offer a refreshing sense of adventure. Out in the fresh air, away from the pollution of a city, you come into contact with water which is only warmed by the sun. Yes, it’s probably freezing, but it will surely wake you up, and the silence of your surroundings can almost feel meditative. All in all, it’s downright good for the soul….

To celebrate the quieter side of summer, a new survey of 3,015 respondents by Mixbook — the #1–rated photo book company — asked locals to share their favorite places to swim across the U.S.. And the answers will make you want to hop on a bike or jump in a car, train or plane immediately to experience this incredible range of spring-fed rivers, lava tubes, slot canyons and plunge pools that you can only reach by hiking, paddling, or sheer persistence.

The top 10 were as follows:

1               Uluwehi Falls, Kauaʻi,  Hawaii

Unsurprisingly, the natural beauty of Hawaii hides plenty of alluring wild-swimming spots across its islands - no wonder it features heavily on the list. And in prime position are the Uluwehi Falls, which remain among Kauaʻi’s most secluded treasures. You have to really want to get here, as this place is accessible only by kayaking up the Wailua River and hiking two miles through rainforest. But when you finally arrive, you’re rewarded with the sight of a delicate cascade which empties into a polished green pool surrounded by palm trees and mossy boulders. Because of the somewhat tricky river approach and deliberate lack of signage, you’ll often have the place to yourself - picture it: just you, the tumbling waters, and the moss-covered rocks around it. Sheer bliss.

2               Keanalele Waterhole, Hawaiʻi Island, Hawaii

This stunning freshwater pool can seem a little daunting at first; it sits deep inside a lava tube which opens beside the ocean. You have to climb down a small ladder through a crack in the lava into what initially seems like a dark, cave-like chamber… but then you’re rewarded with dappled, natural light which filters in through openings in the volcanic roof above. Nothing beats jumping into that fresh, inviting water when it’s boiling hot outside - yes, the initial shock is bracing, but next thing you know, you’re floating serenely, soundtracked by the distant waves.

3               Potem Falls, Shasta National Recreation Area, California

This idyllic spot is reached off-trail into a thick forest; after you’ve gone about half a mile, you come upon Potem Falls, a 70ft cascading stream which tips into a glass-like grotto pool. The area is enclosed by towering granite walls, which has the effect of making it feel even more isolated. The large flat rocks give you the option of diving into the cool waters, or perhaps you prefer to just lying back and float.

4               Kalauao, Falls, Oʻahu, Hawaii

This is not somewhere you’re going to stumble across during a casual stroll - Kalauao Falls only reveal themselves when the rains storm in. Getting there is anything but a piece of cake - think gnarly, muddy trails, and splashing across creeks and rivers like something out of an Indiana Jones movie. Your reward is a beautifully-secluded waterfall which drops into a deep pool up to nine feet deep, surrounded by tropical foliage which creates a wild, otherworldly feel.

5               Rock Springs Run, Kelly Park, Florida

If you’d rather not fight for space at the better-known, bustling Kelly Rock Springs near by, Rock Springs Run is the answer. Think water gently flowing past thick, green forest, spilling into a series of deeper pools. The best way to experience it? Grab an inflatable inner tube and let the current pull you along, passing turtles and otters along the way, then plant yourself in the shallow waters as a respite from the humid Florida heat. Afterwards, hike around the forest; it’s wonderfully free of tourists.

6               Paradise Falls, Wolf Creek, North Carolina

Paradise Falls rushes through a narrow gorge, fed by Wolf Creek, before it drops into a stunning, emerald-green pool below. Getting there is not easy. You’ve got to scramble down a trail that drops steeply down a couple of hundred feet, putting off most of the tourist crowd. So even in summer, you might just get this place to yourself. There’s a rope swing if you’re feeling bold, or you can just climb up to the upper ledges to bask in the sunshine.

7               Emerald Pools, Nevada County, California

The water here is so clear you can see your toes, hugged by these massive granite walls that make you feel tiny - get ready for our Insta-likes to tick up. Tucked away where Jordan Creek hooks up with the South Yuba River, 4,200ft up, there’s a chill trail linking the pools, so you just wander, jump in, dry off, then do it all over again. Paradise, minus the crowds (if you’re lucky). The main Emerald Pool? It’s the real showstopper, walled in by cliffs that shoot up 30 to 80 feet. 

8               Midnight Hole, Big Creek, North Carolina

It’s not easy to find the clear, emerald water of Midnight Hole, but it feels epic when you do. It’s surrounded by a range of huge rocks which are perfect for jumping off or sunbathing on, with a series of mini-waterfalls to complete the vibe. Tucked about a mile and a half down Big Creek Trail, it’s basically nature’s private - if freezing - jacuzzi…

9               Cane Creek Cascades, Fall Creek Falls State, Park, Tennessee

A dramatic set of tumbling falls, Cane Creek Cascades have spent centuries carving little stair-step pools and a bigger swimming hole into the rock. The trail to get here travels over rugged but accessible terrain, with next-level scenery along the way. Thanks to the forest canopy overhead, and the curved gorge walls which ring the falls, seclusion is assured.

10            Black Run Swimming Hole, near Hickory Run State Park, Pennsylvania

Bring your sense of adventure to find the Black Run swimming hole, a natural gem which is part of State Game Land #40. Expect peace and quiet, and maybe a deer or two. Pull off PA534, and head down a barely-there path, through thick woods and forest, until you stumble across this secret pool. Trees crowd in tight, rocks jut out all over, and the only sounds you’ll hear is tumbling water.

“Americans are gradually re-connecting with the joys of wild swimming,” says Leslie Albertson, Director of Brand and Creative at Mixbook. “For many it is not just about cooling off when the weather is sweltering – it’s the ritual involved in getting there, the solitude, and often the sense of stumbling upon a hidden gem. But always be mindful - these spots are beautiful because they’re untouched, and that means swimming is very much at your own risk.”