From pools to swimming holes: 20+ swimming spots to cool you down

Take a dip in one of these public pools, membership pools, or local swimming holes.

Aloft Asheville Pool

If you want to feel glamorous all day, we recommend Aloft’s rooftop pool. | Photo via @aloftasheville

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It’s hot out here y’all, and we know we’re not alone in our search for relief from the heat. Luckily, Asheville is home to great outdoor swimming spots, from pools to waterfalls to mountain water slides. Bookmark this list to stay cool as a cucumber all summer long. 🥒

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Photo via City of Asheville

Public pools

Buncombe County’s public pools are currently open on weekends only. Starting Saturday, June 10, pools will be open seven days a week.

Cane Creek Pool | Seasonal, daily | 590 Lower Brush Creek Rd., Fletcher | $3 | Nestled in the valley of rising mountains, this outdoor pool is surrounded by the natural beauty of Cane Creek Park.

Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Community Center Pool | 285 Livingston St., Asheville | $3 | The county’s newest public pool is expected to open in early August.

Erwin Pool | Seasonal, daily | 58 Lees Creek Rd. | $3 | This spacious outdoor pool has a reputation of being well-maintained and offers special adult swim hours.

Hominy Valley Pool | Seasonal, daily | 25 Twin Lakes Rd., Candler | $3 | If you’re headed to this outdoor spot (which also has baseball fields + a basketball court nearby), we recommend stopping by Sand Hill Kitchen for an award-winning fried chicken sandwich.

Splasheville | Seasonal, daily | Pack Square Park | Free | Though not technically a pool, this interactive splash pad is certainly worth dipping your toes into.

North Buncombe Pool | Seasonal, daily | 892 Clarks Chapel Rd., Weaverville | $3

Owen Pool | Seasonal, daily | 117 Stone Dr., Swannanoa | $3

Malvern Hills Pool | Seasonal, daily | 75 Rumbough Pl. | $3 per day or $100 season pass

Recreation Park Pool | Seasonal, daily | 65 Gashes Creek Rd. | $3 per day or $100 season pass

owen pool

The Patton Pool at the Hendersonville YMCA. | Photo via YMCA

Photo via Buncombe County

Membership or Day Pass Pools

Aloft Asheville | Seasonal, daily | 51 Biltmore Ave. | $15 per day | Have a glamorous day at this rooftop hotel pool + purchase drinks from the bar.

Asheville Jewish Community Center | Year-round, daily | 236 Charlotte St. | Memberships start at $36 per month or $75 per summer (plus current annual JCC membership) | This hybrid indoor-outdoor pool offers lap swimming, a competitive-grade diving board, a kid-friendly splash pad, and an outdoor pavilion with gas grills + picnic spaces.

Asheville Racquet Club | Daily | 200 Racquet Club Rd. + 27 Resort Dr. | Monthly membership fees not public | Both locations offer indoor and outdoor pools, and the downtown spot also features a jacuzzi + outdoor pool cabana.

Patton Park and Pool | Seasonal, daily | 114 E Clairmont Dr., Hendersonville | $5 per day | This outdoor, Olympic-sized YMCA pool opens Friday, June 2 and also offers swim lessons.

Turtleback Falls

Turtleback Falls | Photo by @droneeverything

Swimming holes + lakes

Note: Use caution when venturing out to any of these places and swim at your own risk. Always take into consideration freezing water temperatures, changing or hidden currents, unseen rocks in the water, and slippery surfaces. Never climb on or around waterfalls.

Hooker Falls, 210 Staton Rd., Hendersonville | Free | The only waterfall area in Dupont State Forest that is safe for swimming — it also has spots to watch the fun or have a picnic.

Looking Glass Falls, Brevard | Free | You can see this 60-ft waterfall from the road, but pull over and take the stairs down to the base to be treated to the full view. Swimming is safest when water levels are low.

Paradise Falls, 14091 Canada Rd., Tuckasegee | Free | Two swimming pools on the picturesque Wolf Creek. Caution: The hike to the falls is steep and very challenging, and you should never attempt to climb the falls and jump off.

Silver Run Falls, Cashiers | Free | Chill out on the beach by this 25-ft fall that cascades into a calm swimming pool.

Sliding Rock, Brevard | $4 per person | A 60-ft mountain water slide in Pisgah National Forest. The area is busiest from 12-4 p.m., so we recommend arriving early.

Turtleback Falls, 976 Grassy Ridge Rd., Sapphire | Free | A sliding rock + swimming hole that ends in a deep plunge pool. The hike in and back is 3.5 miles roundtrip.

Lake Glenville, Cullowhee | Free | This lake is sitting pretty at 3,494 ft (that’s the highest elevation of any lake east of the Mississippi, btw). Head to the Pines Recreation Area to swim.

Lake Lure, 2930 Memorial Hwy., Lake Lure | $7+ | Lake Lure’s privately owned + maintained beach offers a waterslide, swimming area + water park.

Wildcat Lake, Banner Elk | Free | This High Country lake offers 13 acres for swimming, plus beaches for sunbathing, picnics + other sandy fun.

Check out our guide to lakes within two hours of Asheville for even more swimming inspiration.

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