7 White Mountains Swimming Holes For Those Lazy, Hazy, Days of Summer

The best thing to do on a hot summer day is throw on your bathing suit and jump into a cool, refreshing river. The good news is that there is an abundance of rivers  and great swiming holes in the White Mountains to explore on those super sunny days. Here are 7 spots to check out the next time you need to cool off.

Livermore Falls Recreation Area (Holderness, NH)

Livermore Falls, a popular swimming hole/tubing spot on the Pemigeswasset River,  is part of the state park system. With your $5 parking fee, you will gain access to an ample parking lot, bathroom facilities, and grills along with a great place to swim, sunbathe, and look for tadpoles. 

Cascade Park (North Woodstock, NH)

With many flat rocks and natural cascades, this is a fun place to take a dip, bring a tube, or just lay out and chill out. The upper section of Cascade Park is flat, with gently moving water and many places to wade. The cascading water flows beyond that and has carved a natural waterslide into the rocks. Below the cascades are deeper pools of water for swimming and tubing. There is ample parking in the Municipal lot behind North Woodstock's Main Street businesses.

Sawyer Rock (Bartlett, NH)

This family-friendly spot on the Saco River can be hard to spot as you are driving, but as you travel west on 302 from Bartlett through Crawford Notch, you will pass Sawyer Rock Picnic Area on your left. Directly after that, keep an eye out for the dirt pullover parking on the right-hand side (you’ll probably see some cars there). Take a short walk down the dirt path and you will come to a beach, sunning boulders to jump from, and large pools of water to swim in.

Smith Covered Bridge (Plymouth, NH)

Swim under the Smith Covered Bridge at this swimming spot on the Baker River. There is ample parking on either side of the bridge as well as a sandy beach. This is a great spot to swim, tube, or kayak, or simply relax on the beach.

Lower Ammonoosuc Falls (Twin Mountain, NH)

This stunning natural cascade is the perfect spot for cooling off on a hot summer day. There are many spots below the falls where the water pools up and is great for swimming or just dipping your toes in. When the water is high enough, the rocks form a natural waterslide. Parking for this swimming hole can be found off US-302 on Old Cherry Mountain Rd. Almost immediately after turning onto Old Cherry Mountain Rd, take a left onto Lower Falls Rd. Drive 0.2 miles on Lower Falls Road and park at the end of the road on the right to access Lower Ammonoosuc Falls. 

Smarts Book (Thornton, NH)

A quick 1.1-mile walk along the Smarts Book Trail will lead you to a cascading swimming hole complete with a rope swing. The clear, cool pool below the falls can get to 10 feet deep, so it is a great place to swim -  plus, it is near a Forest Protection Area, meaning you will be surrounded by a tranquil green forest.

Swiftwater Covered Bridge (Bath, NH)

The Swiftwater Covered Bridge goes over the mighty Ammonoosuc River and another delightful White Mountains swimming hole. There is the upper part of the swimming hole, which is great for wading; the lower area under the falls is perfect for swimming and tubing. To access this swimming hole, drive over the Swiftwater Covered Bridge and park in the lot to the left.

Not feeling fully refreshed yet? Check out these other Cool Ways to Beat the Heat in the White Mountains, reward yourself with an ice cream, or book a day at a White Mountains water park!