Alabama is well known for having very hot summers. And with summer right around the corner, you’re probably dreading the heat and thinking of ways to cool off. Luckily, there are several rivers, creeks, and lakes located throughout Alabama that offer great swimming spots, which are often referred to as “swimming holes.” If you’re looking for a great way to beat the upcoming summer heat, be sure to check out the following nine swimming holes in Alabama.

  1. Cheaha Falls

flickr/Dustin Tanner Cheaha Falls, located within the Talladega National Forest on Cheaha Creek, is a great place for a swim. Be careful when climbing the rocks. They can get very slippery. Cheaha Falls, Lineville, AL 36266, USA

  1. Cahaba River

flickr/g - s - h At 194-miles long, Alabama’s Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in the state. It’s also one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the entire country. There are several swimming holes located along this beautiful river that are perfect for cooling off from the summer heat. Cahaba River, Alabama, USA

  1. Mardis Mill Falls

flickr/Kerry Sanders Mardis Mill Falls, located in Blount County, and also known as Graves Falls, is a gorgeous 15-foot waterfall. The area below the waterfall is very popular among kayakers and swimmers. Can’t you see yourself swimming here on a hot summer day? Mardis Mill Falls, 546 Mardis Mill Rd, Blountsville, AL 35031, USA

  1. The Blue Hole

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve Located just 15 miles outside of Birmingham, in Pinson, is Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. It’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a great swimming hole to take a dip in. Turkey Creek’s Blue Hole is a popular swimming hole that attracts both locals and visitors alike. It’s also one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Alabama. Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

  1. Upper Caney Creek Falls

flickr/Outdoor Alabama/Alan Shero Upper Caney Creek Falls, located within North Alabama’s William B. Bankhead National Forest, is one of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls. The area below the falls provides a great swimming hole for swimmers of all ages. Caney Creek Falls, Double Springs, AL 35553, USA

  1. The Hippie Hole

flickr/Tennessee Wanderer Located in northwest Alabama, within the Little River Canyon, is a popular swimming hole that’s best known as the Hippie Hole. The Hippie Hole is one of the best swimming holes in Alabama and it’s well worth the hike to get there. Hippie Hole, Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA

  1. Turkey Creek Falls

flickr/Kerry Sanders Like the Blue Hole, Turkey Creek Falls is also located within Alabama’s Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and is a popular swimming spot among all ages. Turkey Creek Falls, 3895 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

  1. Devil’s Den Falls

facebook/Cheaha State Park-Alabama At the bottom of Devil’s Den Falls, which is located in Cheaha State Park, is a large pool that attracts many swimmers each summer. This is one of the area’s best swimming holes. Devil’s Den Falls, Lineville, AL 36266, USA

  1. DeSoto Falls

flickr/Mira d’Oubliette Located near the small town of Mentone, DeSoto Falls (a series of three waterfalls) is one of the most-visited waterfalls in Alabama. It’s also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South. If that’s not enough, DeSoto Falls is also a favorite spot among the locals for summer swimming. DeSoto Falls, Alabama 35984, USA

Have you ever been to any of these nine swimming holes in Alabama? If so, please share your experience(s) with us in the comments. Also, if you have a favorite swimming hole, please share that with us as well.

flickr/Dustin Tanner

Cheaha Falls, located within the Talladega National Forest on Cheaha Creek, is a great place for a swim. Be careful when climbing the rocks. They can get very slippery.

Cheaha Falls, Lineville, AL 36266, USA

flickr/g - s - h

At 194-miles long, Alabama’s Cahaba River is the longest free-flowing river in the state. It’s also one of the most biologically diverse rivers in the entire country. There are several swimming holes located along this beautiful river that are perfect for cooling off from the summer heat.

Cahaba River, Alabama, USA

flickr/Kerry Sanders

Mardis Mill Falls, located in Blount County, and also known as Graves Falls, is a gorgeous 15-foot waterfall. The area below the waterfall is very popular among kayakers and swimmers. Can’t you see yourself swimming here on a hot summer day?

Mardis Mill Falls, 546 Mardis Mill Rd, Blountsville, AL 35031, USA

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve

Located just 15 miles outside of Birmingham, in Pinson, is Turkey Creek Nature Preserve. It’s the perfect place to visit if you’re looking for a great swimming hole to take a dip in. Turkey Creek’s Blue Hole is a popular swimming hole that attracts both locals and visitors alike. It’s also one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Alabama.

Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, 3906 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

flickr/Outdoor Alabama/Alan Shero

Upper Caney Creek Falls, located within North Alabama’s William B. Bankhead National Forest, is one of the state’s most beautiful waterfalls. The area below the falls provides a great swimming hole for swimmers of all ages.

Caney Creek Falls, Double Springs, AL 35553, USA

flickr/Tennessee Wanderer

Located in northwest Alabama, within the Little River Canyon, is a popular swimming hole that’s best known as the Hippie Hole. The Hippie Hole is one of the best swimming holes in Alabama and it’s well worth the hike to get there.

Hippie Hole, Little River Canyon Rim Pkwy, Fort Payne, AL 35967, USA

Like the Blue Hole, Turkey Creek Falls is also located within Alabama’s Turkey Creek Nature Preserve and is a popular swimming spot among all ages.

Turkey Creek Falls, 3895 Turkey Creek Rd, Pinson, AL 35126, USA

facebook/Cheaha State Park-Alabama

At the bottom of Devil’s Den Falls, which is located in Cheaha State Park, is a large pool that attracts many swimmers each summer. This is one of the area’s best swimming holes.

Devil’s Den Falls, Lineville, AL 36266, USA

flickr/Mira d’Oubliette

Located near the small town of Mentone, DeSoto Falls (a series of three waterfalls) is one of the most-visited waterfalls in Alabama. It’s also one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the South. If that’s not enough, DeSoto Falls is also a favorite spot among the locals for summer swimming.

DeSoto Falls, Alabama 35984, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

swimming holes in alabama May 10, 2022 Jennifer Young What’s one of the best Alabama swimming holes that belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list? Do you enjoy swimming? If so, you’re in luck because there are many great places to swim in Alabama including some pretty amazing swimming holes. One of the best Alabama swimming holes is the Hippie Hole. The Hippie Hole is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled within North Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, this secluded swimming hole features a waterfall and has become a summer tradition for many families. There’s no denying that the Hippie Hole is a true hidden gem and belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list. After visiting just once, the Hippie Hole will certainly become one of your favorite swimming spots. Which two swimming lakes in Alabama are perfect for a summer day trip? Alabama is filled with many incredible lakes that are popular for swimming during the summer months when the weather is warm. Two Alabama lakes that are well known for a variety of recreational activities, specifically swimming, are Lake Guntersville and Lewis Smith Lake (aka Smith Lake). Covering approximately 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama’s biggest lake. It’s located in Guntersville. Lewis Smith Lake is located in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties. It’s one of the nation’s cleanest lakes, which makes it the perfect place to spend the day swimming. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to help beat the summer heat, look no further than these two lakes. You’re going to love them!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

swimming holes in alabama

May 10, 2022

Jennifer Young

What’s one of the best Alabama swimming holes that belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list? Do you enjoy swimming? If so, you’re in luck because there are many great places to swim in Alabama including some pretty amazing swimming holes. One of the best Alabama swimming holes is the Hippie Hole. The Hippie Hole is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled within North Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, this secluded swimming hole features a waterfall and has become a summer tradition for many families. There’s no denying that the Hippie Hole is a true hidden gem and belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list. After visiting just once, the Hippie Hole will certainly become one of your favorite swimming spots. Which two swimming lakes in Alabama are perfect for a summer day trip? Alabama is filled with many incredible lakes that are popular for swimming during the summer months when the weather is warm. Two Alabama lakes that are well known for a variety of recreational activities, specifically swimming, are Lake Guntersville and Lewis Smith Lake (aka Smith Lake). Covering approximately 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama’s biggest lake. It’s located in Guntersville. Lewis Smith Lake is located in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties. It’s one of the nation’s cleanest lakes, which makes it the perfect place to spend the day swimming. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to help beat the summer heat, look no further than these two lakes. You’re going to love them!  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Do you enjoy swimming? If so, you’re in luck because there are many great places to swim in Alabama including some pretty amazing swimming holes. One of the best Alabama swimming holes is the Hippie Hole. The Hippie Hole is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike. Nestled within North Alabama’s Little River Canyon National Preserve in Fort Payne, this secluded swimming hole features a waterfall and has become a summer tradition for many families. There’s no denying that the Hippie Hole is a true hidden gem and belongs on everyone’s summer bucket list. After visiting just once, the Hippie Hole will certainly become one of your favorite swimming spots.

Which two swimming lakes in Alabama are perfect for a summer day trip?

Alabama is filled with many incredible lakes that are popular for swimming during the summer months when the weather is warm. Two Alabama lakes that are well known for a variety of recreational activities, specifically swimming, are Lake Guntersville and Lewis Smith Lake (aka Smith Lake). Covering approximately 69,000 acres, Lake Guntersville is Alabama’s biggest lake. It’s located in Guntersville. Lewis Smith Lake is located in Cullman, Walker, and Winston counties. It’s one of the nation’s cleanest lakes, which makes it the perfect place to spend the day swimming. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to help beat the summer heat, look no further than these two lakes. You’re going to love them!