Whaleback Swimming Hole - Swim near Asheville, North Carolina
National Forest 475 Rd, Brevard, NC, USA,Asheville,North Carolina
35.28194, -82.8167
26.3 miles SW of 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
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel & camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Directions

From Asheville, North Carolina

  1. Head east on S Pack Square (154 ft)
  2. Turn left toward Broadway St/N Pack Square (289 ft)
  3. Turn right onto Broadway St/N Pack Square
    Continue to follow Broadway St
    (0.3 mi)
  4. Turn right to merge onto I-240 W/US-70 W toward US 74 Alternante
    Continue to follow I-240 W
    (1.7 mi)
  5. Keep right at the fork to continue on I-26 E (12.6 mi)
  6. Take the exit toward NC-280 W/Airport Rd (436 ft)
  7. Continue onto Exit 40 (signs for Arden/North Carolina 280/Asheville Reg'l Arpt) (0.2 mi)
  8. 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 W
    Pass by Taco Bell (on the right in 15.9 mi)
    (16.0 mi)
  9. Turn right onto US-276 N (5.3 mi)
  10. Slight left onto Fish Hatchery Rd/National Forest 475 Rd (1.5 mi)
  11. Turn left onto N Davidson River Rd/National Forest 475 Rd
    Destination will be on the left
    (1.5 mi)
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Guest Review/Comments

/5
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hdm1320

9/4/23 6:59 pm
Very calm and peaceful. Dogs loved it. Easy trail.
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Whaleback Falls by Carey Jackson
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