Whaleback Swimming Hole
Asheville, North Carolina
Address: | National Forest 475 Rd, Brevard, NC, USA |
GPS: |
35°16'55.0"N 82°49'0.1"W Maps | Directions |
State: | North Carolina |
Waterfalls
Swim
Most people in this neck of the woods will head straight to Sliding Rock or Looking Glass Falls, but the locals go to Whaleback on the Davidson River above the fish hatchery. A massive slab of bedrock forms a horseshoe around a deep swimming hole. A small cascade tumbles into the green pool, which is surrounded by a lush hardwood forest. The pool—20 feet wide and twice as long—marks the spot where Cove Creek meets the Davidson River. Crowds are nonexistent during the week and minimal on weekends. Courtesy of blueridgeoutdoors.com
More Information
Directions
From Asheville, North Carolina
- Head east on S Pack Square (154 ft)
- Turn left toward Broadway St/
N Pack Square (289 ft) - Turn right onto Broadway St/
N Pack Square Continue to follow Broadway St(0.3 mi) - Turn right to merge onto I-240 W/
US-70 W toward US 74 Alternante Continue to follow I-240 W(1.7 mi) - Keep right at the fork to continue on I-26 E (12.6 mi)
- Take the exit toward NC-280 W/
Airport Rd (436 ft) - Continue onto Exit 40 (signs for Arden/
North Carolina 280/ Asheville Reg'l Arpt) (0.2 mi) - Keep right at the fork, follow signs for WNC Agriculture Ctr/
Airport and merge onto NC-280 W/ Airport Rd Continue to follow NC-280 WPass by Taco Bell (on the right in 15.9 mi)(16.0 mi) - Turn right onto US-276 N (5.3 mi)
- Slight left onto Fish Hatchery Rd/
National Forest 475 Rd (1.5 mi) - Turn left onto N Davidson River Rd/
National Forest 475 Rd Destination will be on the left(1.5 mi)
Added by camilledupar
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
Cove Creek Tubs
Brevard, North Carolina
0.3 miles NBest tubs in the Pisgah Forest. They’re three magnificent pot holes like you’d expect to find in Vermont or New Hampshire. At the top is a seven foot, almost perfectly round tub. From it...
Swim 0.8 miDaniel Ridge Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
1.4 miles EThis waterfall in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard has multiple names: Tom's Spring Branch Falls, Daniel Ridge Falls and Jackson Falls. It’s an easy half-mile hike on the Daniel Ridge...
Hike, Mountain Bike, Swim 0.0 miLooking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
2.9 miles ELooking Glass Falls is one of the most popular and beautiful waterfalls in North Carolina. And it's perhaps the easiest to view (one of the few accessible roadside waterfalls, making it perfect...
SwimLooking Glass Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
2.9 miles ELooking Glass Falls is a gorgeous and easily accessible waterfall in Brevard, North Carolina. This waterfall is a short and beautiful walk from Pigsah Highway (Highway 276). Parking is available just...
Hike, SwimCoontree Recreation Area
Brevard, North Carolina
2.9 miles ECoontree Recreation Area is a beautiful area with many amenities and activities on the Davidson River. This recreation area is best known for its picnic area with a beautiful view of the river. The...
Hike, Mountain Bike, SwimSkinny Dip Falls
Brevard, North Carolina
3.0 miles NSkinny Dip Falls is a beautiful and family friendly waterfall. Despite the misleading name, bathing suits are not optional at Skinny Dip Falls. Skinny Dip Falls is a long, thin cascading waterfall...
Hike, Swim 0.2-2.8 miGraveyard Fields
Brevard, North Carolina
3.2 miles NWGraveyard Fields is a beautiful hike known for it's forests, wild flowers and two beautiful waterfalls. The Blue Ridge Mountains surround this area creating stunning views throughout the...
Hike, SwimCourthouse Falls
4.4 miles W
Courthouse Falls is a beautiful 45 foot waterfall that is popular to visit. This waterfall is an easy 3/4 mile hike from the parking lot on Courthouse Creek Road (FSR 140) or can be accessed from the...
Hike, SwimDavidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
5.3 miles EDavidson River Recreation Area offers camping and outdoor activities for the whole family. The campground boasts several loops of shaded campsites, as well as access to hiking trails, fishing spots,...
Camp, Hike, SwimBig East Fork
Canton, North Carolina
5.7 miles NBig East Fork is a trail along Pigeon River with a variety of activities available. This trail travels through heavy forest along the river with beautiful, clear water. There are several waterfalls...
Backpack, Hike, Kayak, Swim 1.7 miFlat Laurel Creek
6.1 miles NW
Flat Laurel Creek is a 3.18 mile multi-use trail that is perfect for exploring on foot, horse and bike. This trail can be accessed from a parking lot on either end, making it easy to begin...
Hike, Horseback, Mountain Bike, SwimSunburst
Canton, North Carolina
9.2 miles NWSwim near Canton, North Carolina
SwimBig Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
11.5 miles WSeveral swimming holes near the NE border of the Great Smoky Mtns N. P. in the Big Creek Recreation Area on the TN-NC border. NOTE: The National Park Service will not allow you to...
SwimBear Creek Area
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
11.5 miles WSeveral swimming holes in lakes along RT 281 southeast of Sylva and Cullowhee. For details... Bathing suits: Optional at most places, very remote
SwimDupont State Park
Wallace, North Carolina
12.4 miles SESwim near Wallace, North Carolina
SwimNorth Mills River
Mills River, North Carolina
12.9 miles NEThe forest is known for its hiking and mountain biking trails, several of which are near the campground. Mills River offers excellent trout fishing, as well as tubing and swimming, which are...
Swim 1.4 miTurtleback Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
15.6 miles SWTurtleback Falls was named for its domed shape, similar to the back of a turtle. It's also called "umbrella falls" for the same reason. Visitors slide down Turtleback as the...
Backpack, Hike, Swim 1.3 miRainbow Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
15.6 miles SWRainbow Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfall settings in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. This 150-ft. tall waterfall is impressive, especially after rainy weather that swells...
Hike, Swim 1.0 miHidden Falls
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
15.7 miles SWHidden Falls is a serene family-friendly swimming hole in Pisgah National Forest just down river from the towering Rainbow Falls. It's on the Horsepasture River "hidden" just a few...
Hike, SwimBig Creek
Tuckasegee, North Carolina
17.3 miles WSwim near Tuckasegee, North Carolina
SwimNearby Campsites
Davidson River Campground
Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
5.3 miles EDavidson River Recreation Area offers camping and outdoor activities for the whole family. The campground boasts several loops of shaded campsites, as well as access to hiking trails, fishing spots,...
Camp, Hike, SwimMt. LeConte Lodge
Sylva, North Carolina
26.2 miles WHigh atop Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, LeConte Lodge® is the highest guest lodge in the eastern United States. It is situated on an open glade just below the summit of...
Camp, Hike, Horseback, Rock ClimbCosby Campground
Cosby, Tennessee
39.5 miles NWCamp and Swim near Cosby, Tennessee
Camp, SwimRocky Bluff
Hot Springs, North Carolina
40.2 miles NPlay in water in creek, shallow at times.
Camp, Hike, SwimWar Woman Dell Wildlife Management Area
Clayton, Georgia
41.0 miles SWWarwoman Dell Nature Trail and Becky Branch Falls Trail is a 0.8 mile out and back trail located near Clayton, Georgia that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is...
Camp, Hike, HorsebackMount Mitchell Area
Trinity, North Carolina
49.8 miles NENice family swimming place right by N. F. campgrounds in the South Toe River (cold) in the Pisgah N. F... Fees: Yes This site is closed seasonally.
Camp, Swim