Waterfall Trail on Fossil Creek
Location: Arizona, South of Sedona, near Camp Verde
Extremely popular short hike to a waterfall and idyllic swimming hole. Permits required in summer and very crowded.
Miette Hot Springs
Location: Canada, Alberta, Jasper National Park, Eastern area
Popular hot spring with pools of varying temperatures.
Horsethief Canyon
Location: California, San Diego area, Cleveland National Forest
Short, family friendly hike to a great seasonal swimming hole.
Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools
Location: New Zealand, West Coast, Franz Josef area
Relaxing and reasonably priced hot pools near the famed Franz Josef Glacier.
Montezuma Hot Springs
Location: New Mexico, East of Santa Fe, Montezuma
Historic hot springs in a natural setting.
Three Sisters Falls
Location: California, San Diego area, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
Well-known hike to a series of three waterfalls that create nice swimming holes.
Hrunalaug
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Golden Circle
Adorable little hot spring that’s suffering from overuse and irresponsible tourists
Blue Lagoon
Location: Iceland, Southwest, Reykjanes Peninsula
Scenic geothermally heated pool that’s become an iconic but pricy tourist attraction
Tham Nong Pa Seuam ♦
Location: Laos, Central, Khammouane Province
Swim through a pristine cave filled with crystal clear aquamarine water and beautiful cave formations above and below the surface.
Tad Xay and Pha Xay
Location: Laos, Central, Vientiane Area
A pair of waterfalls within 2 km of each other: one beautiful multi-tiered waterfall that’s ideal for swimming, and one impressive (seasonal) waterfall that plunges precipitously over a 50 m cliff into a densely forested gorge.
Kuang Si Waterfalls ♦
Location: Laos, North Central, near Luang Prabang
An incredibly beautiful multi-tiered series of falls with perfect pools of turquoise water, ideal for swimming. Pause on your way in (or out) to see the Asian Black Bears at the Bear Rescue Center!
Rio On Pools
Location: Belize, Western, Cayo District
Idyllic swimming location with numerous small waterfalls and pools
Seljavallalaug
Location: Iceland, Southern, Skógar/Vík area
Outdoor pool originally constructed in 1923 filled with geothermally heated water
Landbrotalaug
Location: Iceland, West, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Unmarked hot spring off a random dirt road through a lava field
Húsafell Geothermal Pools
Location: Iceland, West, Borgarfjörður district
Great collection of geothermal swimming pools
Diana’s Baths
Location: New Hampshire, Bartlett
Nice series of cascades and pools which are great for swimming in warm weather
Nanue Falls ♦
Location: Hawaii, Big Island, Hilo Area
Rarely visited waterfall, perfect for Robinson Crusoe-esque swimming and jumping
Mirror Lake
Location: California, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley
Seasonal lake offering reflections of the surrounding cliffs when it’s not being used as a swimming hole; in the off season, it’s a meadow/sandy field with mountain views