This Secret Swimming Hole in North Carolina is Perfect for an Unforgettable Adventure

Summertime adventures in North Carolina are endless. You could spend your days enjoying one of our 35 designated state parks, getting lost in the mountains of Western North Carolina, or heading over to the coast and basking in the beauty of the Outer Banks. Not to mention the never-ending side quests in between! Naturally, when those temperatures begin to rise, we start seeking out some of the best places to swim in North Carolina. For me, I enjoy spending a hot summer day in a hidden swimming hole, and North Carolina has plenty to choose from! One of the best swimming holes in North Carolina is tucked away within the DuPont State Recreational Forest, and it’s easily one of the best summer spots in the state. 

What Makes This Spot So Special

Boasting 12,500 acres of some of North Carolina’s most breathtaking natural landscape, the DuPont State Recreational Forest is a true nature lover’s playground. Within this forested land between Hendersonville and Brevard, you’ll find endless hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that will take you to some of the state’s most epic views.

Within this rolling landscape are several amazing waterfalls that are worthy of a side quest, including High Falls (the tallest waterfall in the forest), Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls. It’s the latter that we will be exploring today!

Hooker Falls is only 12 feet tall, hardly one of the tallest waterfalls in North Carolina, but it continues to draw many a visitor every summer, thanks to its refreshing pool that’s earned a reputation as one of the best natural swimming spots in North Carolina.

How to Get There

Thankfully, the trail to Hooker Falls is only 0.8 miles long, and it’s an easy one, too. The trail is both kid and pet-friendly, so bring the whole squad out for a day of fun in the sun. There is a parking lot, and the trail is well marked, which we love to see. There are no trash cans, so be sure to pack it in and pack it out. There are restrooms and changing rooms in the parking lot. 

What to Know Before You Go

There’s nothing better than keeping cool on a hot summer day, and as one of the best swimming holes in North Carolina, this spot draws crowds on the weekends. To escape the crowds, plan your visit during the weekday or early in the mornings—you might find that you have the swimming hole all to yourself!

There are plenty of places to sunbathe and relax by the water’s edge, but if you really want to be comfortable, bring some chairs and snacks. I’ll always recommend wearing water shoes in natural swimming holes like this, but if you choose to go barefoot, just be careful! In recent years, someone has put up a rope swing, which can be a fun way to pass the time; just make sure to give it a few good tugs as a precaution before you put your full weight on it.

Hooker Falls is easily one of the best summer spots in North Carolina, but if you have the time, consider exploring the area! There are several other waterfalls nearby, such as Triple Falls, Grassy Creek Falls, and High Falls, that showcase the beauty of this magical forest. For more epic places to swim, check out our ultimate list of North Carolina swimming holes perfect for this summer.