A Few of America’s Best (and Secret) Swimming Holes

Texas may be notorious for its sweltering summers, but the Lone Star State also has some of the most magical swimming holes. If you happen to be near Austin, take a break from keeping the city weird and head to Barton Springs Pool for a dip. It's fed by 3 pools of natural, underground springs that have been dammed up to create a massive 3-acre swimming pool.

Barton Springs has been keeping Texans from overheating since before Texas was even a thing. In the 1730s, the springs were revered by the Tonkawa tribe, who used the pools for sacred rituals. Spanish explorers to the area built temporary missions around it, and in the 1830s, the land was purchased by "Uncle" Billy Barton, who saw the area's potential as an attraction. He also named the three pools after his daughters- Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia (those definitely sound like mermaid names...just sayin'). In the '20s, the city of Austin obtained the property and built the dams to create the one huge pool we see today. It only costs $3 for adults ($2 for kids), and a portion of that money goes to a fund to help research and protect the Barton Springs Salamander, so you can cool off for a cause!

This historic pool is located just 45 minutes outside Austin. In the summer it can get very busy so best to get there early. Also, you definitely want to call or check to see if it's open. I visited in September of 2014, drove all the way there and it was closed due to some clean up they were doing.

The small but beautiful town of Santa Rosa, New Mexico has no shortage of pristine swimming holes, heck the place has even been dubbed “The City of Natural Lakes”. But despite all the fantastic bodies of water, one stellar lake sticks out from the rest of the pack. A lake that is simply called Blue Hole.

Reaching deeps of 80 feet, this spring fed swimming hole stays a constant 64 °F no matter what time or year it is. However unlike the rest of the lakes in Santa Rosa, Blue Hole doesn’t do any Fishing, Boating, or Water sports. It’s secluded location in the desert, far away from most deep bodies of water, makes it a popular spot for diving enthusiasts in the southwest.

Once reserved exclusively for royalty, this extraordinary swimming hole is a secret paradise. Year-round, it's the perfect escape! This tide pool is known as Queen's Bath due to the history of the royal family that used to use this swimming hole during the summers months. Take a dip the way royalty used to in this extraordinary pool.

You can find them hidden in forests and parks all across America, and one of the country's coolest is located in South Yuba River State Park. Of course, like most good hidden swimming holes, you'll have to do a little work to get there, but the hike through the river is worth it-- and kind of fun in its own right. The stream is strewn with boulders that make the hike an exciting challenge. These boulders and rocks are what make the swimming holes as well. Even though the park is a local favorite, especially as the dog days of summer hit, there are so many secluded spots, nooks, crannies, and coves, that you'll feel like you discovered the place yourself!

A few tips for hiking up the river: The best time is summer and early fall-- the water will be really high and running very fast in the spring and early summer, making the hike more difficult and potentially more dangerous. Wear sturdy waterproof shoes. You're going to be trekking through the river and up, down, over, under, and around rocks, and the right footwear can help make the hike more pleasant. You'll also want to pack water, snacks, and sunblock, since there's not a ton of shade along the river. And if you're bringing a picnic, a camera, or anything else you need to keep dry, make sure to bring a waterproof bag. Also, pack as light as possible! You might find yourself regretting bringing along a huge cooler halfway through the hike. And remember to leave yourself plenty of time to hike to a good location, relax a bit, and hike back.

How do you make a swimming hole better? Add a natural waterslide, of course! The main attraction of this apple orchard-turned-park is the stretch of creek that goes down a smooth, gentle slope, allowing visitors to slide down for a fun ride. Bonus: tons of Westerns have been filmed here-- the park appears in Broken Arrow (the one starring Jimmy Stewart, not the John Travolta/Christian Slater nonsense from 1996) Drum Beat, Gun Fury and more!

When finding a place to relax, the right setting is super important. Somewhere secluded and serene, with the right lighting, and maybe a nice place to hang out is ideal-- and Utah's Homestead Crater nails all of the criteria-- it's a massive hot spring inside a cave. So how did this magical natural wonder come to be? It all started when pure melted snow began to seep and erode into the Wasatch Mountains ten thousand years ago (give or take). Miles below the Earth's surface, it was warmed up by geothermal heat and began to percolate back up. As it bubbled over, it picked up all kinds of minerals which were deposited above it-- these minerals form the roof of the crater. You know how travertine springs form from minerals around hot springs? Same idea.

The water in the pool, which is usually around a warm 90 degrees, is an impressive 65 feet deep-- and that's not counting the 8-14 foot-deep layer of silt that covers the floor of the crater! The silt is of particular interest to archaeologists; they're in the process of examing the mud to dig up things that have been tossed or dropped into the crater. They've discovered all kinds of things so far, from guns to old coins! The dome itself is 55 feet tall and has a hole in the top, which lets in the perfect amount of sunlight and fresh air.

A gorgeous waterfall requires absolutely no hiking. In fact, you can see it right from the road. This natural wonder is located in the Richland Creek area, in south Newton county in northern Arkansas. The falls spill onto a large swimming hole that’s pretty popular in the summer months.

Cummins Falls State Park is home to Tennessee's 75-foot Cummins Falls, the state's 8th largest waterfall. But, it's not just an incredible sight, it's also a refreshing oasis for swimmers during the warm summer months, and is frequently listed as one of America's best swimming holes. You can pack a picnic lunch and enjoy it at one of the park's primitive picnic areas, which are also shaded. Be warned there are no grills or trash cans so prepare accordingly.