Travel Channel Names The Top 10 Swimming Holes In The United States
NEW YORK, June 15, 2016 -- From the best natural diving platforms and hidden slides, to crystal-clear water with colors that change from blue to a golden crimson, Travel Channel announces the top 10 swimming holes in the United States – a perfect list for anyone who wants to "dive into summer." Travel Channel teams scoured the country to find the most surprising watery gems for a refreshing swim and, in its new series "Top Secret Swimming Holes," premiering Sunday, June 19 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT, the network reveals how to find incredible swimming holes in the United States and around the world. Swimming holes in the United States that make the grade on the Travel Channel top 10 list include:
BINGHAM FALLS, VERMONT
When aerial skiers want to
practice their jumps and flips in the offseason, they head to Bingham Falls, located within Mt. Mansfield State
Forest in Stowe, Vt. The road to the
waterfalls serves as a ski trail in the winter, and is only open to cars in
the warmer months. After a short hike through the forest, a 30-foot
waterfall with a crystal clear pool created by snow run-off awaits. There
are multiple jumping areas to choose from, ranging from a 6-foot starter
cliff to a 30-foot tall one where divers can attain speeds of up to 30 mph!
It's best to hit this spot midday, as that's the only time the pool gets
direct sunlight.
ENDERS FALLS, CONNECTICUT
Just 130 miles north of Manhattan in Granby,
Conn., the five majestic waterfalls that make up Enders Falls is
just a half-mile hike through the forest. With a 150-foot drop from the
first waterfall to the last, each provides varying cliff heights to jump
from, ranging from 20 to 33 feet. Complete with swimming pools, a secret
rockslide with a 10-foot plunge and 70-degree water, this swimming hole has
something for everyone.
GINNIE SPRINGS, FLORIDA
Rumored to contain the
clearest water in the world and nicknamed "Visibility Forever" by explorer
Jacques Cousteau, Ginnie is just one of eight springs studded with
underwater caves and aquatic life, and the perfect place for freediving.
Just upstream at Devil's Ear, swimmers can witness an incredibly rare
natural phenomenon: in a twisting cavern, river and spring water meet and
mix into a remarkable golden-reddish hue.
LITTLE RIVER FALLS, ALABAMA
Little River Falls, a hidden
45-foot cascade, is located within Little River Canyon National Preserve
near the border town of Fort Payne, Ala.,
115 miles northwest of Atlanta. Often
referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the
East," Little River Canyon has the largest waterfall in the state, a
surprising geological history and a ready-made diving board perfect for
jumping. This place is so beloved by locals that Randy Owen, lead singer for the country band Alabama, led the fight to have the area declared
a national park in 1992.
MCKINNEY FALLS, TEXAS
Tucked within the Austin city
limits, McKinney Falls State Park houses eight miles of trails and one that
leads to an incredible waterfall with a prehistoric past. An eight-foot
tall, rain-fed waterfall carved out of limestone cascades into a calm
swimming hole underneath. And the bones of an amphibian dinosaur
called a Mosasaur were discovered here in 1935, and fossilized shells
dating back to prehistoric times continue to turn up!
OPAL POOL, OREGON
Deep within the ancient Willamette National Forest,
two-and-a-half hours southeast of Portland, the beautiful Opal Pool has a distinct
emerald green color caused by the surrounding copper-rich rocks. Getting to
the pool is a seven-mile hike from Jawbone Flats, a historic and hidden
mining town. Rustic cabins are available to rent, but with no phones or
TVs, it might just be one of the most remote places in the country. Once at
Opal Pool, swimmers can dive off 30-foot cliffs into 10 feet of water or
opt to take a ride down the "butt slide."
QUARRY PARK, MINNESOTA
Just outside of St. Cloud,
Minn., Quarry Park Nature Preserve has the highest concentration of
quarries anywhere in the United States.
The quarries' red granite, approximately 1.8 billion years old, has been
used in famous buildings around the country, such as the FDR monument in
Washington, D.C. Now, the red granite
cliffs encompass two fun-filled swimming holes. Quarry 11 – recently opened
in the summer of 2015 – has its own unique sandy beach, while Quarry 2 –
116 feet deep – features jumps that range from 10 to 24 feet!
SEVEN TEACUPS, CALIFORNIA
Deep in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, about 200 miles north of
Los Angeles, the aptly-named Seven Teacups
features seven circular pools linked by six rushing waterfalls. For serious
adrenaline junkies only, the Seven Teacups is an incredible canyoneering
adventure that requires a guide and proper climbing gear. Hidden within a
canyon, getting there is a three-mile hike, at elevations of 800 feet,
along mountainous terrain. Once at the pools, cliffs range from 10 to 60
feet tall. But with icy rapids and water temperatures that can get as low
as 35 degrees, this cool dip requires a wet suit and skillful
rappelling.
SLIDE ROCK, ARIZONA
Sedona, Arizona's red rocks are
world famous, and here they've formed the ultimate waterslide! Located
within an apple orchard, Slide Rock State Park is home to a natural
waterpark like no other. Slide Rock is 80 feet long and 2.5 to 4 feet wide,
with a 7 percent decline from top to bottom that ends in a pool with a
40-foot cliff, perfect for jumping. Plus, diatom on the rocks makes for a
super slippery, fast descent!
WAIOKA POND, HAWAII
Only the locals know it's there, but just three miles outside of
Hana, Maui, is a seaside pond that's a cliff jumper's
paradise. After a scenic drive on the Hana Highway and a short hike to the
ocean, a picturesque lagoon awaits swimmers. On perfect conditions, calm
65-degree water, high cliffs and an unforgettable ocean view create the
quintessential Hawaiian swimming hole. Lava rock provides varying cliff
heights, perfect for both beginner and experienced jumpers.
"Top Secret Swimming Holes" is part of "Dive Into Summer," Travel Channel's summer programming lineup that begins Sunday, June 19 and showcases the world's ultimate water paradises with a touch of fun, sun, thrills and adventure.
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