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ILLINOIS, INDIANA & IOWA
SWIMMING HOLES
(3 PLACES)
UPDATED 2/2011


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We know there are MANY swimming holes in these 3 great states, but since we have only a few so far they are all presented here and without a map at this time.

Please send us E-MAIL if you have a swimming hole to add or if you have more information about one that is already listed. Thank you.

ILLINOIS


Swimmingholes.info


BELL SMITH SPRINGS
(BELL)

NO PHOTOSTO HOMEPAGE
TOWNS EVANSVILLE (IN), PADUCAH (KY), HARRISBURG (IL)
LAT, LON lat=37.52191, lon=-88.66211, (source: map) (accuracy: approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE IL
WATER Bell Smith Springs/Bay Creek
TYPE Creek
DESCRIPTION This from the US Forest Service web site: "Bell Smith Springs is one of the most beautiful recreation areas the Shawnee National Forest has to offer. It contains a series of clear, rocky streams and scenic canyons bordered by high sandstone cliffs and an abundance of vegetation unique to Illinois. The trail system consists of eight miles of interconnected trails featuring strange and wonderful rock formations, such as Devil's Backbone, Boulder Falls and a natural rock bridge. Hiking this system of trails is a favorite activity because of the rock features, scenic overlooks, hidden springs and lush flora and fauna." And there are one or more swimming holes in here also. Forest Service Web Site (see recreation > Bell Smith Springs)
AREAS Shawnee National Forest
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE None
FACILITIES Unknown
ACTIVITIES Swimming, hiking
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING There are two Forest Service campgrounds very nearby..
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From Paducah (KY) take I-24 north into IL then I-57 north to exit 54 at Marion,IL. Take RT 13 east from Marion to Harrisburg, IL. From Harrisburg, take RT 145/34 south to Delwood. At Delwood, turn west on FR402. Take FR402 west 4 miles to junction with FR447. Proceed south on FR447 past Teal Pond (campground) to FR848. Take FR848 two miles southwest to Bell Smith Springs
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 2/2011


Swimmingholes.info


KINCAID LAKE SPILLWAY
(KINC)

LINK TO PHOTOTO HOMEPAGE
TOWNS CARBONDALE, MURPHYSBORO
LAT, LON lat=37.77519, lon=-89.45373, (source: map) (accuracy: approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE IL
WATER Kincaid Lake Spillway
TYPE Spillway
DESCRIPTION This from a visitor in 2010: "In Southern Illinois a favorite swimming hole is the Kincaid Lake Spillway. The spillway is usually safe and pretty clean too. The water volume can be too much after a big rain, though, especially in the spring. Its pretty obvious when that happens though, I don't think anyone would attempt to get in it then anyway. The is a permanent earthen structure and all the excess water flows over the rock structure that is the spillway. when it gets to the bottom it joins back up with the original creek valley."
AREAS Kincaid Lake Rec. Area
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE None
FACILITIES Unknown
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING None at site.
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From Murphysboro go about 10 miles west on RT 149 then, at the bottom of the hill, go north (right) on Spillway Rd. and go about 1 mile to a parking area. You'll see it (and probably hear it) as soon as you get in the parking area.
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 2/2011



INDIANA


Swimmingholes.info


PARADISE WATER PARK
(PARA)

PHOTO
PHOTO
TO HOMEPAGE
TOWNS INDIANAPOLIS, SHELBYVILLE, ST. PAUL
LAT, LON lat=39.42482, lon=-85.62652, (source: map) (accuracy: general area)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE IN
WATER Kincaid Lake Spillway
TYPE Spillway
DESCRIPTION This from a visitor in 2010: "We did a cross-country drive and went to a great quarry in St. Paul, IN, about an hour south of Indianapolis. It's at a campground called Hidden Paradise. It wasn't free. It was something like $10 a person (age 13 and up), but we were there for hours and it was a blast. There are trampolines and things to slide and climb on, and a nice dock, where the kids looked at the small fish. It's plenty deep - at least 10 feet or more, and my 11 yr. old daughter learned to dive here. There was hardly anyone there mid-week - just our family and two other children. There is also a river (Flat River) nearby for tubing, but I didn't check it out." WEB SITE . This is a privately owned campground and swimming quarry at Hidden Paradise Campground, 802 E. Jefferson St., Saint Paul, IN, 47272.
AREAS Paradise Water Park
SANCTION Official
FEE Yes, see web site above
FACILITIES All facilities
ACTIVITIES Swimming, sliding, jumping
PHONE 765-525-6582
CAMPING At site - swimming is not included with camping fees.
BATHING SUITS Required
DIRECTIONS From Murphysboro go about 10 miles west on RT 149 then, at the bottom of the hill, go north (right) on Spillway Rd. and go about 1 mile to a parking area. You'll see it (and probably hear it) as soon as you get in the parking area.
CONFIDENCE Very confident
VERIFIED By another
DATE UPDATED 2/2011


Swimmingholes.info


BLOOMINGTON AREA QUARRIES
(BLOO)

NO PHOTOS TO HOMEPAGE
TOWNS BLOOMINGTON
STATE IN
WATER
TYPE
DESCRIPTION Of course, there are a number of flooded quarries around Bloomington, IN, as famously shown in the movie "Breaking Away". We do not list these as they are both illegal and unsafe. There are many objects in and under the water there and jumping and diving are very dangerous. Here is wikipedia information about one of these: WEB SITE .
AREAS
SANCTION
FEE
FACILITIES
ACTIVITIES
PHONE
CAMPING .
BATHING SUITS
DIRECTIONS
CONFIDENCE Very confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 2/2011



IOWA


Nothing to list yet for Iowa.

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