Top 3 Secret Swimming Holes in Colorado

Dive into the Centennial State's most-refreshing natural pools.

Colorado's Best Swimming Holes
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Complete with waterfalls, crystal-clear pools and prime cliff-diving, these hidden oases provide refreshing escapes into nature. Take the plunge into Colorado's best secret swimming holes.

Jump in, the Water is Fine

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These are the best secret swimming holes in the world.

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

This tide pool on the island of Kaua'i is one of the top attractions for visitors to Princeville. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

A sign warns adventurers of unexpected large waves possible at the entrance to Queen's Bath. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Hawaii: Queen's Bath

The tide pool -- formerly a bathing place for royals -- is a sinkhole surrounded by indigenous rocks and is accessible by a short hike. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

California: Hatchet Falls

Not far from Montgomery Creek, Calif., Hatchet Falls is a popular cliff-jumping spot with a deep pool. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

California: Hatchet Falls

Pups welcome! 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

California: Hatchet Falls

The many logs and boulders surrounding the pool serve as comfortable, makeshift loungers when taking a break from diving. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Colorado: Adrenaline Falls

Just outside of Durango, Colo., Adrenaline Falls is often teeming with wildlife and a welcomed respite for hikers. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

A short hike brings adventurers to a somewhat menacing sea cliff that overlooks the infamous Chutes and Ladders tide pools. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

A careful climb down the steep cliff, parts of which have rope and rickety ladders to assist, ever so slowly gets you closer to the water. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Maui: Chutes and Ladders

Worth it? Definitely. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

New York: Fawn's Leap

Located in the Catskills, Fawn's Leap is another favorite spot for adventurous cliff jumpers.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

New York: Fawn's Leap

The 24-foot plunge into the natural pool below is a good stepping stone for another deep dive adventure in New York... 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

New York: Stony Kill Falls

It's not recommended to jump from the top of the 90-foot waterfall (really, not at all), but the pool at the bottom is ideal for cooling off after a hike on a warm day.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

North Carolina: Turtleback Falls

A 3.5-mile hike from Gorges State Park will bring you to this favored swimming and sliding spot with a 20-foot drop off the curved rock face.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Playa del Carmen: Rio Secreto

Guided tours take you through this underground water world stacked with stalactites and stalagmites. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Broadford Bay

The bay in the village of Broadford overlooks the Isle of Skye in the Highlands of Scotland. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle

One of the most well known castles in Scotland, Eilean Donan occupies its own island overlooking the Isle of Skye. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Isle of Skye

The island in Scotland's Highlands is a well known tourist destination for its rich scenery and abundance of wildlife. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Isle of Skye

This massive waterfall is one of many scenic views and swimming holes found in the Highlands' island destination.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Other mini-waterfalls like this can be found throughout the island.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Scotland: Isle of Skye

Another breathtaking view of Scotland's lochs from the Isle of Skye. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Zambia: Devil's Pool

Situated on the edge of Southern Africa's Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Devil's Pool has a view an adventurer dreams of. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Zambia: Victoria Falls

The falls here form the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Zambia: Victoria Falls

Another helicopter view from the top of the falls.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Aspen: Devil's Punch Bowl

Swimmers peer off the edge of the series of waterfalls into the crystal clear pool below. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Just outside of the town of La Fortuna, this waterfall is a 200-foot plunge into the frequented swim spot below.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

Visitors can hike down a set of stairs to reach the pool or also join a group by horseback.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Costa Rica: La Fortuna Waterfall

The La Fortuna waterfall is considered a must-see for visitors, and it's not hard to see why. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Maine: Small Falls

Looking down into the pool below, it's a 54-foot drop from the top of Small Falls. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Maine: Small Falls

Sunsets near the falls are a sight to behold. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Mexico: Pet Cemetery Cenote

Researchers conclude that these underwater caves outside of Tulum were once sinkholes used to dispose of animal remains.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Oregon: Tamolitch Blue Pool

The natural blue color and impressive clarity of the water in Tamolitch's Blue Pool is a must-see for swimming hole seekers. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

Found along the Meadow Run trail, this natural waterslide was carved out of the surrounding bedrock.  

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Pennsylvania: Meadow Run Waterslide

This eventually leads to a 3-foot pool at the end of the Meadow Run trail.

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Utah: The Subway

View from up high of a canyon in Zion National Park that leads to one of the park's most interesting features below. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Utah: The Subway

Not for the amateur hiker, the Subway takes serious skill to repel down from the canyon into. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

Utah: The Subway

This lesser-traveled path through Zion National Park is difficult to get to and requires short swims and wading through ankle-deep waters, but the scenery is unlike anything else. 

Photo By: Citizen Pictures

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