Want to make a splash in the USA? America's very best swimming spots include thundering waterfalls, natural waterslides and diving holes, and some offer the chance for water-based adventures such as tubing, kayaking or paddleboarding too. Find your next favourite spot to cool down in with our pick of the very best natural swimming spots in the USA. Remember to heed advice such as no-diving rules and safe times to visit, and leave no trace. Note that some sites require permits.

Surrounded by tall rocks and dense woodland, Firehole River Swimming Area is one of the most blissful places in which to make the most of the sun. Located in Yellowstone National Park – known for its geothermal hot springs – it’s found along the Firehole Canyon Drive, a scenic route punctuated with an impressive waterfall. It’s worth knowing that there aren’t any lifeguards here (even during the busy summer months) and no food, toys or jumping is permitted.

A canopy of hardwood and pine trees shelter you as you swim through the ultra-blue waters of Madison Blue Spring, located in the Florida state park of the same name. Waters flow over limestone boulders and into the river, making it a popular spot for cave diving, paddleboarding and swimming. 

Follow the rugged Moat Mountain Trail to the picturesque small pools and cascades tucked away at Diana’s Baths. Summer's the best time for swimming but, out of season, the water levels reach their peak flow and Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show. 

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

Take your swimming to the next level at Santa Rosa’s Blue Hole. Scuba divers across the country practice and train in the sapphire-blue waters and it's a solid option for thrill seekers too. You can cliff jump, dive or ease yourself in with steps into the water, which maintains a year-round temperature of roughly 16°C (62°F). There aren’t any lifeguards and you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the diving rules and requirements first.

Chena Hot Springs could just about double for Iceland's Blue Lagoon. This hot-spring-fed lake stays around 41°C (106°F) throughout the year, but if you come in winter or fall you might even catch a glimpse of the ethereal Northern Lights. Go all-out and treat yourself to a romantic stay overnight at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Part of the Rondout Creek and protected by the Catskill Forest Preserve, Peekamoose Blue Hole is a popular natural swimming spot in the secluded Sundown Wild Forest. You’ll need a permit to visit, but once you’re here, there’s a rope swing and areas of water deep enough for diving. Downstream there are quieter spots too. 

These are America's best swimming pools

This spot offers some epic views: follow the paved trail and see Blanchard Springs' impressive tiered waterfall before taking a dip. When it comes to swimming, there are shallower and deeper parts, with areas plunging up to 12 feet (4m) – there's also a nearby campground if you want to make a weekend of it. Note that lifeguards aren't on duty here.

Several waterfalls gush into the Devil’s Punch Bowl in Aspen, which is boxed in by towering rocks. Cliff-jumping is the most popular way to enjoy the ice-cold waters; there aren’t any lifeguards and you're advised to keep your body tight and dive feet first. Many of the surrounding rocks have smooth surfaces that you can chill out on instead. 

Check out America's best underwater attractions

In Pisgah National Forest you’ll find the fun Sliding Rock, where people of all ages take turns to whizz down a 60-foot (18m) flat boulder into an eight-foot-deep (2m) pool. It’s open year-round, with lifeguards on patrol between May and September, but to beat the crowds avoid going between noon-4pm on the weekends. Avoid going when water levels are high. 

With landscapes created by volcanic activity and billion-year-old rocks, Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park has a series of different pools to explore on a fun day out. There are red, yellow and green flags, which indicate the water levels; check the website to find out safe times to visit. 

Can you believe these beautiful lakes are man-made?

Alabama's Little River Canyon National Preserve, which is spread out atop Lookout Mountain, is blessed with a bounty of natural swimming spots. A favourite is the Little River Falls area (better known as Hippie Hole) – here a 45-foot (14m) waterfall feeds a gorgeous natural swimming hole. There's also a boardwalk trail if you don't fancy getting wet.

Hike along the south fork of the Tuolumne River to reach Carlon Falls. There’s a 30-foot-tall (9m) waterfall and swimming area open year-round, although it occasionally closes during droughts. Bask in the serene surroundings of staggeringly tall ponderosa pine trees and a variety of wildflowers. 

The stories behind the names of America's national parks

Brandywine Creek offers tubing rides along tree-lined channels, plus canoeing and kayaking trips. You can still swim too, though there aren’t any lifeguards. However you choose to enjoy the peaceful Brandywine Creek State Park, you can embrace the open meadows, rare native plants and wildlife, including deer and songbirds.

There are several dreamy swimming spots in Tallulah Gorge State Park and this one is among the most popular. Locals and tourists alike bask on the sun-baked rock which curves down into a pool, fed by a 20-foot (6m) waterfall. You'll need a permit to visit (it’s worth heading down early as permits are limited to 100 per day) and it's especially pretty in fall, when the surrounding trees are a riot of colour. 

The Meadow Run Natural Waterslide is one of several swimming spots in Ohiopyle State Park. Sit in the creek bed and be whooshed along by two natural waterslides, formed by 300-million-year-old sandstone channels which feed into the Lower Youghiogheny River. Visit during the summer, as the stronger currents in the spring and winter months can be dangerous. 

These are the world's most beautiful canals and waterways

Found along the Mad River, which flows through Green Mountain Forest, Warren Falls is one of the most popular swimming holes in Vermont. Swimmers jump from various heights around the pool (always be cautious) and splash into the green-tinted waters lined with hulking gorge walls. There's a car park nearby, so it's easy to get to, but it gets busy quickly, particularly at the weekends.

This magical swimming spot is best visited in the cooler months, with soaring temperatures (over 46°C/115°F) and flooding often causing temporary closures between June and August. Havasu Falls requires a lot of advance planning as it’s part of the Havasupai Reservation, so you’ll need to buy a permit from the Havasupai Tribe. Due to its remoteness (it’s a challenging eight-mile/13km hike to the falls) you should stay overnight in Supai Village. The site is still closed at the time of writing; check official sources for updates.

You can see these wild animals in America's national parks

This natural area is well worth the day trip from Austin. Hamilton Creek cascades over craggy limestone outcrops to create a 50-foot (15m) waterfall, which can be admired as you dip in the refreshing waters that pool into the box canyon. There aren’t any lifeguards (and swimming isn’t always guaranteed), but life vests are provided. And for nature lovers, there's also rare flora to discover here, including the chatterbox orchid. You'll need a reservation to visit the preserve. 

Rutledge Falls is a secret you might not want to share. These refreshing waters are actually reached via privately owned land, but thankfully the proprietors permit visitors. With that in mind, public parking is hard to come by, but half the fun is finding the place. Go for a dip – the waters are ice-cold, so you’ve been warned – and watch the water cascade down the tiered rocks.

Now discover the most underrated (and beautiful) national parks in the world