One of the best parts of a North Carolina mountain vacation is soaking in some cold, crystal clear, clean mountain water. For visitors from urban areas, swimming in the pure mountain water is a welcome, life-affirming experience that highlights any outdoor adventure. Even under the foliage of ancient trees, summer can be hot. One way to entice others to get outdoors is to visit a waterfall with a swimming hole. For those who don’t want to swim, bring a chair and catch the cool breeze and mist from the falls on the banks of a river.

I have selected two waterfalls to visit near Asheville. Sliding Rock is in the Pisgah National Forest and is accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway, or near Brevard, a popular area for outdoor activities. Hooker Falls is located in Dupont State Forest, which is about an hour’s drive south of Asheville. Both falls are easily accessible from a road with a walking distance of only ¼ mile or less from the parking area.

Caution exercise! Waterfalls can be dangerous.

Always be careful when visiting waterfalls. Do not dive into pools from high rocks or cliffs above the falls. This can cause injury or even death. Avoid areas upstream of the falls where it is slippery and there is a chance of falling and being swept away. Swim in pools below the falls and wear water shoes, waterproof sandals, or hiking boots when traversing rocky areas for extra grip.

Sliding Rock (intersects Highway 276, near Brevard, NC)

This smooth, natural sixty-foot rockfall ends in a 6-foot pool of cold mountain water. Children and adults of all ages line up to take this natural slide in the summer months. Children under the age of 7 must slide on an adult’s lap and those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. There is a $1 per person fee at Sliding Rock. Get there early, because the parking area and Sliding Rock fills up quickly in the summer months. Access Sliding Rock via 276 in Brevard, NC. Or, take the Blue Ridge Parkway south of Asheville and just past Mount Pisgah, head south on 276 for about 8 miles.

Hooker Falls in the Dupont State Forest

Dupont State Forest is located in the heart of The Highlands, NC. This public recreation area is located in the Nantahala National Forest and recently made national headlines when it was revealed that parts of the forest were used as a set for scenes in The Hunger Games. Dupont State Forest is an area with sharp and often slippery rocks that are not as smooth as the Sliding Rock area. The waterfall described is a short walk, about ¼ mile, on a gravel road. There are other trails and waterfalls to explore in the Dupont State Forest, but this trail provides a nice quiet spot to swim at the base of the falls and doesn’t require a strenuous hike with steep climbs.

Since motorized vehicles are not allowed on these roads except in special circumstances (and only with a permit), plan to walk a short distance with a towel, bathing suit, and plenty of water to stay hydrated. Wear water shoes or waterproof sandals to protect your feet from rocks and workshop sediment. There are plenty of smooth rocks where bathers can stretch out and have a picnic as they dip into the pool below Hooker Falls. For safety avoid the area above the falls and just enjoy the view.

Please observe the state park rules during your visit, including the most important:

(c) A person may wade, bathe, or swim at his or her own risk in any body of water in any state forest, except within 300 feet upstream of the top of a waterfall and in other designated no-swim areas.

A visit to a waterfall to take a plunge can take from half a day to a full day. Make it special. Bring your loved ones, lunches and snacks. Don’t forget bug spray or sunscreen and camp chairs, especially if you want to stay and explore the area a bit more.