The Best Swimming Holes in the Smokies!

The Best Swimming Holes in the Smokies! 

Gatlinburg is home to some of the most beautiful swimming holes in the Great Smoky Mountains! Here are some of the ones you won't want to miss:

MIDNIGHT HOLE
Spanning approximately 70 feet wide and 10 feet deep, Midnight Hole is an incredibly popular spot for swimming in the Great Smoky Mountain area. The trail to Midnight Hole is as historical as the spot itself running alongside an abandoned railroad grade that was used years ago to haul lumber out of the mountains. Half a mile from Midnight Hole is the spectacular 45 feet high, Mouse Branch Falls. Take some time to visit this waterfall before or after your swimming adventure.

METCALF BOTTOMS
Perfect for relaxing, floating in tubes, playing in the water, and enjoying a day outdoors, Metcalf Bottoms is a fun place to spend the day. This location also has picnic tables and grills and bathroom facilities and is just a short hike from the historical Little Green Briers School and the Walkers Sisters Cabin.

ABRAMS FALLS
This swimming hole is named after Cherokee Chief Abrams whose village stood several miles downstream many, many years ago. A breathtaking pool is located directly at the base of this historical falls. The waterfall itself is only 20 feet high, but the formation and volume of the water flowing over it make a spectacular display and a great backdrop for swimming. Located in Cades Cove, Abrams Falls is a favorite spot for photographers.

GREENBRIER
The swimming holes on the little Pigeon River are another popular tubing spot. These swimming pools are located on the west prong of the Little Pigeon River below the small rapids. These pools have some of the clearest water in the Great Smoky Mountains.

THE TOWNSEND Y
This swimming area is very easily accessible, making it very attractive to tourists. This large pool is located where the Little River and the middle prong of the Little River meet, inside the entrance to the Great Smoky River National Park just after Townsend; it has become a popular sunbathing and swimming location. Picnicking is also popular at this site.

For directions to these swimming holes, click here