Valley Girl Views: Six Natural Swimming Holes - Places Cool Off In This Summer

Places To Swim

Earlier this week I watched a group of Mennonite men walk up to the Watsontown Park from the river, where they had been swimming. Although swimming is forbidden at many boat launch areas (where fishing is allowed), it is permitted in all of the rivers and many of the creeks in PA. Of course, use common sense, and be safe! Many of our rivers and creeks can be very dangerous at times.

Here are a few of the best spots to cool of this summer.

===============

Lakes

================

The Lakes At Half Way Dam, Rickets Glen, Poe Paddy, Bald Eagle, or Hills Creek State Parks. Many of our state parks have beaches, with seasonal concessions.

Bald Eagle State Park
149 Main Park Rd, Howard, PA 16841
Located about 45 minutes west of Williamsport

Poe Paddy State Park
1087 Poe Paddy Dr, Woodward, PA 16882
About an hour west of Mifflinburg - like Half Way Dam, the water here is always cold. Although maybe not AS cold as Half Way Dam!

Raymond B Winter State Park (Half Way Dam)
17215 Buffalo Rd, Mifflinburg, PA 17844
Located miles 17 miles west of Lewisburg, in rural Mifflinburg Pa.
https://susquehannavalley.blogspot.com/2012/07/at-half-way-dam-today.html

Ricketts Glen
695 State Route 487, Benton, PA 17814
About 40 minutes east of Muncy

=============

Rock Run

==============

The Waterfalls & Swimming Holes Of Rock Run

Follow Us 15 North And PA 14 N to Thompson st in Ralston Pa.
Turn Right onto Thompson st, follow it to Rock Run Road.

In Google Maps, Type "Rock Run Swimming, Trout Run, PA 17771" for navigation

Backpacker magazine named Rock Run one of the best watering holes in the United States. There are several natural pools here, some with crystal clear water.

=============

Kocher Park

==============

Kocher Park

1519 State Route 487, Orangeville, PA 17859
Less than 10 minutes from Bloomsburg Pa
Kocher park is a free park, open to the public, offering access to a nice deep swimming hole in Fishing Creek.

=============

The Haystacks

==============

The Haystacks

Near Laporte Pa, Part of the Loyalsock Creek
This one is a bit of a drive, and a bit of a hike - but it is an incredible place to play in the water. And you can see a waterfall near the start of your hike too!

=============

Picture Rocks

==============

The Rocks At Picture Rocks

Take 220 into Picture Rocks. Cross a small bridge, and turn right on water street. The Rocks will be about 3 blocks back on the right. There's pull off parking along the road on the right.

=============

CREEKS

==============

We are blessed with a multitude of creeks, and all of them have swimming holes, and many rope swings, along them! It might take some exploring to find them.. but here are a few places to start looking - (As always, use common sense, caution, and be respectful of private property near the creek borders -it is not ok to walk through private property, without permission, to access public water)

Black Hole Creek
Running through Montgomery Pa. There's a nice swimming hole behind the area of the Weis Markets (I'm not sure how to access it) and you can access the creek from Heritage Park behind the Montgomery Library.

Loyalsock Creek
There's a "beach" of rocks right beside the green bridge in Montoursville. The bike trail leads down under the bridge, making easy access to this area. Follow the road to the south, along the creek, and there are other spots that are absolutely beautiful along this section.

Further north, near the Pier 87 restaurant, and near the game farm are also popular swimming spots.

Muncy Creek
A few years back, we put our kayaks in behind Halls Landing in Muncy, and Kayaked down to the river. Along the way were several great spots to swim, one area in particular had a rope swing. It wasn't too far down from Hulls Landing, but I cannot remember the exact location of the rope.

Penns Creek
There are literally dozens of great spots to swim along penns creek. Some of the most popular seem to be near the covered bridges, and the red metal bridge, near New Berlin Pa. N 40° 52.392 W 077° 03.978 will take you to a small picnic area with parking, that is a popular spot to put kayaks into the creek, and swim, as well.

Twin Run
There's a swimming hole near the YMCA, in Twin Run Creek, In Muncy PA. I'm told it's a little steep to access it, but a nice place to swim.

White Deer Hole Creek
In Allenwood Pa, take the little road to the right of Weavers Parking lot, and follow it to the green bridge. We've taken the kayaks out there, it's a bit steep for kayak access, but it's pretty easy to climb down to the creek. Whether there is enough water there to swim or not, is a different matter.

===============

================

All of the PA State Park Swimming Areas
https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Recreation/WhatToDo/Swimming/Pages/Where-to-Swim.aspx

Although often listed as one of the top swimming holes in PA, swimming is unfortunately not permitted at Devils Pool in Wissahickon
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/health/environment/no-you-cant-swim-in-devils-pool-at-the-wissahickon-really-20180531.html

Not a natural swim area, but if you have small children, be sure to check out the Splash Park in Sunbury Pa
https://www.facebook.com/oppenheimerplayground/?rf=531221610388543

If traveling in the western part of the state, the Meadow Run Natural Water Slide at Ohiopyle State Park is so much fun! The rock forms an all natural water slide!

What Rights Do The People Have In Public Waters? And Which Waters Are Public Waters?
The rights of the public in public waters are quite broad and extend to fishing, boating, wading, floating, swimming and otherwise recreating. As to which are definined as public waters, there is no complete list, but this site may help:
https://www.fishandboat.com/LearningCenter/FAQs/Pages/PublicAccess.aspx

Another interesting article -
https://www.outdoornews.com/2017/06/29/understanding-pennsylvanias-stream-trespass-laws-important-part-1/

=========================