Natural swimming holes offer hiking and recreation in North Carolina and Florida

Various natural swimming locations in the Southeastern United States offer backcountry experiences for visitors.

In western North Carolina, Schoolhouse Falls is located within Panthertown Valley in the Nantahala National Forest. Reached via the Cold Mountain Gap Trailhead, the site requires a hike of generally under three miles round trip. The location features a roughly twenty-foot waterfall that drops into a broad pool. The terrain is described as a primitive forest trail with uneven surfaces, mud, and roots.

In central Florida, the Juniper Springs Recreation Area is situated within the Ocala National Forest. The site features a clear blue spring that remains cool year-round and includes a historic mill house with a working water wheel. The area offers amenities such as camping, picnic areas, and trails suitable for kayaking, snorkeling, and swimming.