4 Top Swimming Holes in Tennessee

swimming in tennessee

Summer is in full swing in Tennessee and the best way to cool off is by jumping feet first into the cool water of a river, lake, or pond. While a swimming pool is also a great way to stay cool this summer, not everyone has the luxury of having one or access to a public one. Luckily for the residents of Tennessee, there are plenty of great swimming holes from one end of the state to the other that everyone can enjoy. In fact, a couple of these are a short distance from some of the farms we have for sale.

Fort Dickerson Park and Quarry

Knoxville, TN

Located only minutes away from the UT campus, the Fort Dickerson Quarry has become a favorite swimming hole for college kids every summer. There are plenty of cliffs for the adrenaline junkies to jump from as well as shallow areas for the younger kids. The quarry is also large enough to handle plenty of swimmers, so you don’t usually have to worry about it getting too crowded.

Cummins Falls

Cookeville, TN

In addition to the trails and creeks you can hike across, Blackburn Fork State Scenic River in Jackson County is also home to Cummins Falls, the 8th largest waterfall in the state. This breathtaking site has plenty of places for you to sit in the waterfall itself as well as a large swimming spot perfect for splashing about with your kids.

Percy Priest Lake

Nashville, TN

The best thing about Percy Priest Lake is that you don’t have to go to a coastal city to give your kids a chance to build a sandcastle. This swimming spot is like an inland beach with sandy shores and gently lapping waves. This makes it perfect for giving mom a chance to catch a tan while the kids play in the sand before everyone jumps in the water with dad to cool off. And it’s less than an hour from the rural land for sale in Bedford and Coffee County, Tennessee.

Blue Hole

Elizabethton, TN

Named for the deep blue swimming hole at the bottom of one of the four waterfalls that surround it, Blue Hole is absolutely stunning. It is easy to get to with a very short walk from a parking lot that will lead you to either the waterfall overlook or to the plunge pool itself.

We know that some of the best swimming holes are the ones you can’t find online. After a little bit of exploring your new home in rural Tennessee, you’ll probably find creeks and waterfalls that put these to shame. Let us know where the best places for you to swim in your neck of the Tennessee woods.