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ALABAMA SWIMMING HOLES
(20 PLACES)
UPDATED 2/2008

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    SIPSEY RIVER AREA LITTLE RIVER CANYON AREA>>I-59>>HIKE CHATTAHOOCHE S. P. BLUE SPRINGS S. P.>>RT431 & RT53 ABBIE CREEK PARK DESOTO S. P.>>I-59>>HIKE CHEAHA CREEK AREA CHICKASABOGUE PARK>>I-65 & I-10 BLUE POND>>I-10 NOCCALULA FALLS PARK COLDWATER CREEK PARK>>I-20 CHEWACLA S. P. WALLS OF JERICHO

    Swimmingholes.info


    ABBIE CREEK PARK
    (ABBI)
    PHOTO
    TOWNS DOTHAN, COLUMBIA, ABBEVILLE
    STATE AL
    WATER Chattahoochee River
    TYPE River
    DESCRIPTION It is hard to find a safe place to swim in the Chattahoochee in this area; the currents are swift and access is infrequent. At Abbie Creek Park, there is a boat ramp into Abbie Creek just where it empties into the Chattahoochee. One can swim at the foot of the boat ramp where there is little current.
    AREAS Abbie Creek Park
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES None
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE None
    CAMPING None at site. Blue Springs S.P. and Lakepoint State Resort Park are both not too far from here and have camping.
    BATHING SUITS Unknown
    DIRECTIONS From Dothan, go about 20 mi northeast on RT 52 to Columbia. Then north on RT 95 and follow signs to Abbie Creek Park. (This is in the southeast corner of AL.)
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED Yes
    DATE UPDATED 5/7/2000


    Swimmingholes.info


    BLUE POND
    (BLUP)
    NO PHOTO walden's pondA Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond

    Road Trip Dip
    Road Trip Dip
    TOWNS ANDALUSIA, CAROLINA
    STATE AL
    WATER Blue Pond
    TYPE Spring
    DESCRIPTION A clear, cool spring-fed pond in a Conecuh National Forest Recreation Area with sandy beach and (perhaps) lifeguards in season? Hiking trails and camping nearby.
    AREAS Conecuh National Forest Recreation Area
    SANCTION Official
    FEE Unknown
    FACILITIES Unknown
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE Unknown
    CAMPING Nearby at the Open Pond Recreation Area
    BATHING SUITS Required
    DIRECTIONS From Andalusia (in south central AL) go south on RT 29/15 toward the Conecuh N. F.. Turn south (left) on RT 137 near the entrance to the N.F.. After about 5-6 miles, look for signs to the Blue Pond Recreation Area on the east (left) side of RT 137. THe swimming place is in Blue Pond.
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 2/20/2003


    Swimmingholes.info


    BLUE SPRINGS S. P.
    (BLUE)
    PHOTO walden's pondA Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond

    Road Trip Dip
    Road Trip Dip
    TOWNS DOTHAN, CLIO
    STATE AL
    WATER Blue Spring
    TYPE Spring
    DESCRIPTION A clear, cool spring is led into a concrete-sided pool with a natural bottom. This from a visitor in 2007:"The spring area is divided into two sections, the upper & lower sections. The upper section is between 4 to 20ft.deep and the lower section is 3.5ft. to 5ft. deep. There is a nice clean wading area where it flows to the river that is about 2ft. deep for small children." Very nice water and swimming. The spring empties immediately into the Choctawatchee River but there is no apparent swimming place in the river itself. Blue Springs is very similar to some springs in Florida, like DeLeon or Juniper Springs.
    AREAS Blue Springs State Park
    SANCTION Official
    FEE $3.00 per person (2007).
    FACILITIES Full facilities in State Park
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE (334)397-4875 (State Park)
    CAMPING At site (334)397-4875
    BATHING SUITS Required
    DIRECTIONS From Dothan, take RT 431 N to Abbeville, then RT 10 NW to Blue Springs S. P.. (There was a detour on RT 10 in 5/2000, a bridge is out- this adds about 8 miles to the distance.)
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED Yes
    DATE UPDATED 5/16/2000


    Swimmingholes.info


    CHATTAHOOCHEE S. P.
    (CHAT)
    NO PHOTO
    TOWNS DOTHAN, GORDON
    STATE AL
    WATER Unknown
    TYPE Lake
    DESCRIPTION Swim from a boat dock in a picturesque, small lake. (Be careful- may be alligators present).
    AREAS Chattahoochee State Park
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES Full facilities in State Park
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE (354)522-3607(State Park)
    CAMPING At site (354)522-3607
    BATHING SUITS Required
    DIRECTIONS From Dothan, 26 mi southeast on RT 84 then south on RT 95 to the state park. (This is in the extreme southeast corner of AL.) When you enter the park, go to the right and over a small dam. There is a boat ramp and a wooden dock. Swim from the dock. (Be careful-there may be alligators present.)
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED Yes
    DATE UPDATED 5/7/2000


    Swimmingholes.info


    CHEAHA CREEK AREA
    [3 PLACES]
    (CHEA)
    NO PHOTOS
    TOWNS BIRMINGHAM, ANNISTON, TALLADEGA
    STATE AL
    WATER Cheaha Creek
    TYPE Falls/River
    DESCRIPTION Several swimming holes in pools at the bottom of falls reached by a hike in the Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area in the Talladega N. F.. For details, see "directions" below.
    AREAS Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area, Talladega N. F., Cheaha State Park.
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES Cheaha State Park is very nearby and has all facilities.
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE None
    CAMPING At Lake Chinabee Recreation Area also nearby at Cheaha State Park
    BATHING SUITS Possibly optional; some places are very isolated, see above descriptions
    DIRECTIONS From Birmingham, take I-21 east to Anniston. From Anniston, take RT 21 south to Munford. From Munford, follow signs to Cheaha State Park and the Lake Chinnabee National Forest Recreation Area (LCNFRA). The trail begins in the parking lot of the LCNFRA, 3 miles from the entrance to Cheaha S. P.. Follow the Chinnabee Silent Trail from this parking area. Then, to get to the swimming holes:

    DEVILS DEN FALLS [DEVI]: Follow this trail as it parallels Cheaha Creek and stay on it as the Lake Chinnabee Loop Trail goes off to the right and then the Skyway Loop Trail also goes off to the right (both of which immediately cross the Cheaha Creek; don't cross the creek.) The trail will go uphill then over an elevated observation walk. Then, at about .5 miles from the trailhead, it will come to Devil's Den Falls with a nice pool to swim in at the bottom. Not verified. Pretty confident.

    CHEAHA FALLS [CHEF]: Continue on this trail to about 3 miles from the trailhead where it gets to the Cheaha Falls Shelter. Go past the shelter and downhill to the creek, wade across it here and go downstream from here to a number of waterfalls, including Cheaha Falls, which has a large swimming pool at the bottom. Pretty confident. Not verified.

    HIGH FALL [HIGH]: At High Fall, steep metal steps beside the 30-foot cascade lead down into the small canyon formed long ago by High Fall Branch. The falls and large pool beneath a popular local swimming hole. To get here: In Cheaha S. P., take RT 281 (Cheaha Skyway Motorway) south and look for information leading to High Fall Branch or High Fall. The swimming places are in the High Fall Branch gorge below and downstream of the falls. There is a hiking trail, Odum Trail, which goes down this gorge and, I think, comes out near Pyriton on RT 31. No better directions. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 2/20/2003.

    CONFIDENCE See above
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 2/20/2003


    Swimmingholes.info


    CHEWACLA S. P.
    (CHEW)
    LINK TO PHOTO BELOW
    TOWNS MONTGOMERY, AUBURN
    STATE AL
    WATER Chewacla Creek
    TYPE Creek/Falls
    DESCRIPTION Swim in Chewacla State Park at the lower falls hole (the park also has an official lake swimming beach.).  Perfect depth and size, about 6 feet deep, where two streams meet.  About 10 yards across and maybe 30 yards long.  Average depth is about knee high (2 feet maybe?) with a deeper hole going down to about 6 feet. Perfect place to take the dogs and let 'em play fetch and swim.
    AREAS Chewacla State Park (124 Shell Toomer Pkwy., Auburn, AL 36830)
    SANCTION Unofficial in creek (also official lake swimming)
    FEE Unknown
    FACILITIES Unknown
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE 334-887-5621 (park)
    CAMPING Developed camping at site
    BATHING SUITS Unknown
    DIRECTIONS From Montgomery take I-85 east to exit 51 then RT 29 (S. College St.) south. In a very short distance, turn east (left) on RT 863 (Shell Toomer Pkwy) then south (right) on RT 159 (Wrights Mill Rd.). This road goes along the west side of the lake then turns sharply to the east (left) below the lake. It appears to jog slightly to cross the creek then, where it turns sharply south (right) again park somewhere near here and walk north through woods to the creek and falls and swimming hole at the lower falls hole.
    CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 1/23/2008


    Swimmingholes.info


    CHICKASABOGUE PARK
    (CHIC)
    NO PHOTO walden's pondA Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond

    Road Trip Dip
    Road Trip Dip
    TOWNS MOBILE, CHICKASAW
    STATE AL
    WATER Chickasaw Creek (?)
    TYPE Creek
    DESCRIPTION The following description thanks to R. Jones, Parks & Wildlife Manager, Mobile County: "Chickasabogue Park is a 1200 acre Mobile County, Al outdoor recreation facility with a very nice cold, clear but dark water stream (tannic color) with sugar white sand bars. It is one of the few streams in this part of the state that remain cool and refreshing even in the dog days of summer. There is a roped off swim area popular with locals in the summer and large white sand bars upstream and downstream from there reachable by canoe or boat for a more private swimming experience. The Park rents canoes for $5 per hour and $20 all day."
    AREAS Chickasabogue Park
    SANCTION Official
    FEE $1.00 admission
    FACILITIES Full facilities
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE Unknown
    CAMPING At site
    BATHING SUITS Required at park beach, perhaps optional downstream
    DIRECTIONS From Mobile, go north a few miles on I-65 to exit 13. Follow signs to the park.
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 11/13/2001


    Swimmingholes.info


    COLDWATER CREEK PARK
    (COLD)
    NO PHOTO walden's pondA Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond

    Road Trip Dip
    Road Trip Dip
    TOWNS BIRMINGHAM, ANNISTON, OXFORD
    STATE AL
    WATER Coldwater Creek
    TYPE Creek
    DESCRIPTION Long time swimming hole that has been turned into a public park where people regularly still swim in the creek. Lots of families hang out here.
    AREAS Coldwater Creek Park
    SANCTION Official
    FEE Unknown
    FACILITIES Unknown
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE Unknown
    CAMPING None at site
    BATHING SUITS Required
    DIRECTIONS From Birmingham, go east on I-20 to exit 179 (Coldwater Creek) then go north to RT 78. Turn right onto RT 78 and take the first left (Scott Drive) down into the park's parking lot. The swimming hole is between Cecil Drive and RT 78. Very public.
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 1/23/2008


    Swimmingholes.info


    DESOTO S. P.
    (DESO)
    PHOTO walden's pondA Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond

    Road Trip Dip
    Road Trip Dip
    TOWNS ANNISTON, GADSDEN, CHATTANOOGA (TN)
    STATE AL
    WATER West Fork Little River
    TYPE River
    DESCRIPTION Desoto State Park is a "resort" park, with lodge, restaurant and other amenities. Nearby is Desoto Falls, which are awesome, with a huge pool at the bottom of the falls but no apparent easy way to get to the bottom and no apparent safe place to swim.
    However, behind the State Park lodge, there is a network of trails that lead quickly down to the West Fork Little River and there are several nice swimming places here with large flat rocks to sun on and swim from. To get there, follow the "white" trail behind the lodge, down to the "yellow" trail which goes along the river. Follow the river upstream and look for large, flat ricks with deep places in the river below.

    AREAS Desoto State Resort Park
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES Full facilities at the lodge.
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE (205)845-0051 (State Park)
    CAMPING At site (205)845-5075
    BATHING SUITS Customary
    DIRECTIONS From Gadsden, I-59 NE about 35 mi to Ft. Payne. From Ft. Payne, follow RT 35 east to the top of Lookout Mtn. Then north (left) on RT 89 to Desoto S.P.. See area map.
    CONFIDENCE Very confident
    VERIFIED Yes
    DATE UPDATED 5/15/2000


    Swimmingholes.info


    LITTLE RIVER CANYON AREA
    [5 PLACES]
    (LITT)
    LINK TO PHOTO OF LITTLE RIVER GORGE
    TOWNS CHATTANOOGA (TN), FT. PAYNE (AL) (TN)
    STATE AL
    WATER Little River
    TYPE River
    DESCRIPTION Little River Canyon is one of the deepest gorges East of the Mississippi. It is very beautiful but hiking trails are not yet well developed. Much of the canyon is very hard to access. You can drive the 22 mi scenic road (RT 176) along the west rim of the canyon and, while there are several viewpoints, the road is very high above the river and there are few apparent points to hike down. See "directions" below for several swimming places.

    Here's an email we got in 8/02 "My friend and I just went to the Little River Canyon gorge in Alabama, and swam in three places named in your reviews. It was WONDERFUL!! In the southernmost one, we had 3 kids for company. In the Little 2-Mile one, we had opportunity to skinny dip. We also had some little fish for playmates when we were just sitting on a rock, dangling our feet. What a blast! And you can swim up under the actual waterfall (once you get to it) when the water is low in summer. "
    AREAS Little River Canyon National Preserve (Nat'l Park Service)
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES Toilets at parking area near Little River Falls and at Canyon Mouth Park.
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE None
    CAMPING Nearby at Desoto S.P. (205)845-5075
    BATHING SUITS Possibly optional; some places are very isolated, see above descriptions
    DIRECTIONS From Gadsden, take I-59 northeast about 35 mi to Ft. Payne. From Ft. Payne, follow RT 35 east to signs for Little River Canyon. (See local area map for details). Some possible swimming places are (in order from North to South in gorge):

    LITTLE RIVER FALLS [LITF]: (See local area map) The falls are spectacular and beautiful, but there is no easy or safe swimming at the falls themselves. Park at the falls parking area off RT 35 and follow the paved walkway to a well travelled trail on the left. The trail leads to the bottom of the falls. LITTLE RIVER FALLS PHOTO , SWIMMING AT LITTLE RIVER FALLS . Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 1/29/2008.

    HIPPIE HOLE [HIPP]: (See local area map) This description by a visitor:" A swimming place known by locals as the Hippie Hole. Leaving the Little River Canyon Falls parking area turn right and just up the road on the right is another gravel parking area. Park there and follow the gravel trail which will lead to a rock path that ends at the Hippie Hole. The gravel trail is approximately 1/4 mile and then the rock path down to the hole is about 200 yds... It took us about twenty minutes to get there from the car. It was a bit difficult to hike back out but the swimming was awesome. Plenty of spots to jump... " PHOTO 1 , PHOTO 2 , PHOTO 3 . Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 1/29/2008.

    LOWER TWO MILE [LOWE]: (See local area map) About 3.1 miles from the north end of the canyon rim parkway (RT 176), you will see a small pull out (partially hidden due to a sharp curve in the road, and easy to miss) and sign. The sign says "Lower two-mile" and gives boating advice. This is apparently a canoe put-in, although the trail, which begins at the sign, is very steep, but thankfully not too long. Follow this trail to the river and there is a huge, deep swimming place, with a sandy beach and large rocks to sun on. You may well have this place all to yourself and bathing suits may well be optional here. LOWER TWO MILE PHOTO. Very confident. Verified. Updated 1/29/2008

    EBERHART POINT [EBER]: (See local area map) A few miles from the south end of the canyon rim parkway (RT176), you will see a major pull out and sign. The sign says "Eberhart Point" and has pictures of the river below. There is a trail which begins here and goes down to the river and there are apparently swimming places there. Unknown how long or strenuous this trail is. Pretty confident. Partially verified. Updated 1/29/2008

    CANYON MOUTH PARK [CANY]: (See local area map) There is a park, with rest rooms and picnic tables and boat ramp, at the south end of the Little River Canyon, called Canyon Mouth Park. Here the Little River emerges from the canyon and there is a large, deep, clear swimming place, easily accessed and with sandy bottom. It is very near where RT 15/273 meets the canyon rim parkway (RT176). CANYON MOUTH PARK PHOTO. Very confident. Verified. Updated 1/29/2008. walden's pond


    Family-Friendly
    Walden's Pond
    CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
    VERIFIED Partially - see above
    DATE UPDATED 1/28/2008


    Swimmingholes.info


    NOCCALULA FALLS PARK
    (NOCC)
    PHOTO-SEE BELOW WEB LINK
    TOWNS GADSDEN
    STATE AL
    WATER Cascade Creek/Black Creek
    TYPE Creek
    DESCRIPTION Close to where Cascade Creek enters Black Creek lies the remains of a dam where a natural swimming hole was built. (I am not sure there is still a swimming hole there.) This is an outstanding natural area, with a 100 foot waterfall, and hiking location. LINK TO PARK WEB SITE. CAUTION The creek below the falls is a fast-current whitewater creek and there are many drownings here. Do not swim in rapid currents. The swimming place used to be near where the Cascade Creek enters Black Creek, well downstream from the falls. Assess the safety of swimming here very carefully before you go in. Also, the rocks and the walkway throughout this area are slick and footing hazardous, so care should be taken.
    AREAS Noccalula Falls Park
    SANCTION Unfficial
    FEE Yes, see web site
    FACILITIES All facilities
    ACTIVITIES Swimming
    PHONE See web site
    CAMPING At the park
    BATHING SUITS Unknown
    DIRECTIONS From Gadsden, take RT 211 north (becomes Noccalula Falls Rd.). Look for signs to the park. There are many hiking trails in the park. Take the Historic Gorge Trail (this trail begins near the entrance to the park and enters the gorge on the metal steps) which encircles the 500-footwide gorge chiseled by Black Creek as it cascades down Lookout Mountain and over Noccalula Falls. Follow this trail to the intersection of Cascade Creek and Black Creek. The swimming place may be near here. CAUTION The creek below the falls is a fast-current whitewater creek and there are many drownings here. Do not swim in rapid currents. The swimming place used to be near where the Cascade Creek enters Black Creek, well downstream from the falls. Assess the safety of swimming here very carefully before you go in. Also, the rocks and the walkway throughout this area are slick and footing hazardous, so care should be taken.
    CONFIDENCE Very uncertain
    VERIFIED No
    DATE UPDATED 2/20/2003


    Swimmingholes.info


    SIPSEY RIVER AREA
    [2 PLACES]
    (SIPS)
    NO PHOTO
    TOWNS HUNTSVILLE, DECATUR, FLORENCE
    STATE AL
    WATER Varies -see below
    TYPE River/Falls
    DESCRIPTION Several swimming places in the Sipsey River area of the Bankhead N.F.. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
    AREAS Bankhead N.F., Sipsey River Wilderness
    SANCTION Unofficial
    FEE None
    FACILITIES None
    ACTIVITIES Swimming, Jumping, SLiding (check for safety first)
    PHONE Unknown
    CAMPING Unknown
    BATHING SUITS Unknown
    DIRECTIONS From Decatur, go southwest on RT 24 to RT 33. Go south on RT 33 into the Bankhead N.F.. At CR6 (or CR60)(Cranal Rd.?), turn west (right) and continue to the Sipsey Recreation Area then:

    SIPSEY RIVER [SIPR]: The Sipsey River is Alabama's only Wild and Scenic River. It has numerous popular swimming holes in the Sipsey Wilderness Area. Places to jump from large boulders into river. Jumping (check for safety first). To get here: At the Sipsey Recreation Area (above) turn left into a parking area with an iron bridge over the Sipsey River. The swimming places are here. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 1/2008.

    KINLOCK FALLS [KINL]: Swimming places and sliding possibilities at multi-level, cascade-type waterfall. Picnic area also. WEB INFO , MORE WEB INFO. CAUTION: There are hidden deep places here and swift currents, be very careful with children here - lifejackets recommended. There have also been reports of trash here. To get here: From the Sipsey Recreation Area (above), continue west on CR 6 to the end of this road then turn north (right) and drive past where the pavement ends. When you come to a sharp curve to the left, you will soon pass on the right a gravel road then see several small pull offs to park (if you get to the bridge you have passed it). Park and walk down a short, steep path to the falls. Pretty confident. Not verified. Updated 1/2008.
    CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
    VERIFIED no
    DATE UPDATED 1/28/2008


    Swimmingholes.info


    WALLS OF JERICHO
    (WALL)
    THIS HOLE IS LISTED UNDER TN. CLICK HERE TO GO TO IT THEN YOU MUST USE "BACK" ON YOUR BROWSER TO RETURN TO AL.
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