July 27, 2006 issue
Local Swimming Holes Perfect Cure for Summer Heat
Story by Andy Kruse
Our mountains are gushing with fresh cold water, ready to cool you off on a hot summer day. With many picturesque spots within a short drive of Boone, why not take advantage of one of our natural swimming holes?
Trash Can Falls
Trash Can Falls is a well-known swimming hole with cascading falls in a small rocky ravine, some small rock jumps, an actual rock water slide and water 7 to 10 feet deep with a sandy bottom.
About a 20 to 30 minute drive from Boone, take Highway 421 north from Boone and turn left on Highway 321 at the Skate World Roller Skating Rink. Drive through Sugar Grove and just after you cross the Watauga River Bridge, you’ll see a parking area on the right. Across the street is a small trail that heads up into the woods. Walk several hundred yards and you will see the falls. Be safe and pack out your trash!
Snake Pit Swimming Hole
Snake Pit Swimming Hole is practically across the road. Keep driving a little farther north on Highway 321 to the long guardrail on the right. You can park at either end of the rail, but the trail is down to the right where the guardrail starts. A somewhat steep incline is made easier with a knotted rope to help guide you down. The trail pops you right out at the big open swimming hole. This spot has a few rock jumps as well, and it’s a great place just to hang out and take in the sun on the nice flat rock areas. The sun hits this spot for most of the afternoon in the summer, the swimming hole is plenty big and the current is not strong.
Hebron Rock Colony
Hebron Rock Colony is another good spot. There is a long slope of giant rocks, and you can run, jump, climb or crawl in and around these huge boulders that fill a lovely ravine. The water cascades down the rocks, creating numerous small waterfalls in between all kinds of little swimming holes. Pick one and take a dip or keep going all the way to the top where you will eventually reach an old manmade dam. Just beyond the dam up a trail through the grass is a relaxing swimming hole. This spot has sun all day long. Being a bit farther off the beaten path, you may even have it to yourself.
Hebron Rock Colony is also about 20 minutes away from Boone. Take Highway 105 south from Boone and turn left at the Hound Ears Club on Old Shull’s Mill Road. There are numerous places to swim along this road, but keep going to get to the real spot. The road turns left; follow it by staying on Old Shull’s Mill Road. After passing a church on the left, take a right on Old Turnpike Road. This is a gravel road. Drive for about 5 to 8 minutes and when the road comes to a hairpin turn to the right, the trail goes down into the woods to the right. Park here. Walk for about 10 minutes to reach the river. Use caution walking over these boulders; they are big.
Taking Care of Our Special Places
We have many one-of-a-kind natural areas around Boone, but so often they are cluttered with trash. Let’s keep them clean! It’s up to all of us who visit these spots to pack out what we carry in and maybe even pack out a little extra on the way. And be safe! A combination of rocks and water can be dangerous.
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