Field Guide
Swimming Holes
Which Buffalo River waterfalls actually have a pool deep enough to swim in.
Most Ozark waterfalls drop into a shallow splash basin, not a true plunge pool. These are the ones with real swimming — confirmed deep pools, jumping rocks, and pools deep enough to cool off in on a hot Arkansas summer day.
Map of swim spots
Filter by easy-access river spots, confirmed waterfall pools, and seasonal pools.
Showing 20 of 20 swim spots. Click a marker for details, directions, and to save it to My Trip Planner.
Swimming Holes
Easy-access public swimming on the Buffalo River and its tributaries — no hiking required.
Bradley Park
SwimJasper · Little Buffalo River · Easy access
Go to Bradley Park if you want easy access and a place for kids to play on a playground. Local town park in Jasper on the Little Buffalo River — gravel bar, shaded picnic area, playground, and a deep swimming hole right off the road. A favorite family-friendly cool-off spot with no hike required.
Richland Creek Campground
SwimOzark NF · Richland Creek · Easy access
Deep, clear creek pools right at the campground — a fantastic swimming hole and an ideal basecamp for nearby waterfalls: Richland Falls, Twin Falls, Devil's Fork, Falling Water Falls, and Six Finger Falls are all within easy reach.
Steel Creek Campground
SwimUpper Buffalo · Ponca · Easy access
Iconic gravel-bar beach on the Buffalo River below the Roark Bluff — deep, clear pools right at the campground and put-in. One of the most scenic swim spots on the upper river, with no hike required.
Erbie Swimming Hole
SwimUpper Buffalo · Erbie · Easy access
A collection of serene, crystal-clear pools located at the Erbie Campground and river access point along the upper section of the Buffalo National River. Positioned in Newton County near Jasper, Arkansas, this area is highly favored for its gravel bars and shaded deep pools. It serves as a starting point for floating down to the Ozark Campground swimming areas.
Pruitt (Upper)
SwimMiddle Buffalo · Hwy 7 · Easy access
Pruitt Landing on the Buffalo River off Hwy 7 — long gravel bar, easy river entry, and a deep channel pool just upstream of the bridge. Popular put-in/take-out with restrooms and parking, and an easy walk-in swim.
Pruitt (Lower)
SwimMiddle Buffalo · Hwy 7 · Easy access
Just below the Hwy 7 bridge — quieter gravel bar with a deep, slow pool along the bluff line. Shaded in the afternoon and a great cool-off after hiking the nearby Mill Creek or Hideout Hollow trails.
Kyles Landing
SwimUpper Buffalo · Ponca · Easy access
Wide gravel bar and deep, clear river pool at the Kyles Landing campground and put-in. Spectacular bluff views, easy walk-in from the parking area, and one of the best swim spots on the Upper Buffalo — note the access road is steep and rough.
Ponca Low-Water Bridge
SwimUpper Buffalo · Ponca · Easy access
Classic roadside swim spot right at the Ponca put-in — gravel bar, shallow wading on one side and a deep pool on the other. Popular with paddlers waiting on shuttles and a great place to cool off after an Upper District hike.
Grinder's Ferry
SwimMiddle Buffalo · US-65 · Easy access
Big paved-access river area at the US-65 bridge — long gravel bar, deep pool below the riffle, and plenty of room to spread out. One of the easiest river-swim stops on the whole Buffalo.
Gilbert
SwimLower Buffalo · Gilbert · Easy access
Tiny historic river town with a wide gravel bar and deep swimming pool right at the access. Grab snacks at the Gilbert General Store, then walk to the water — one of the friendliest swim stops on the river.
Ozark Campground Swimming Hole
SwimMiddle Buffalo · Near Jasper · Easy access
Quiet NPS campground with a long gravel bar and a deep, clear Buffalo River pool just steps from the sites. Less crowded than Pruitt or Steel Creek and an ideal basecamp for Middle District hikes and floats.
Confirmed swimming holes
Documented, well-known pools that people regularly swim in.
Falling Water Falls
Swim10 ft · Tributary · Easy
One of the most famous roadside swimming holes in Arkansas — deep pool right below a 10-ft drop on Falling Water Creek. Easy access, popular on summer weekends.
Haw Creek Falls
Swim8 ft · Tributary · Easy
Campground-adjacent pool widely called an 'epic swimming hole' — rock bottom, family-friendly, slightly slick on the cascade apron.
Paige Falls
Swim8 ft · Upper · Easy
Deep, vivid turquoise spring-fed plunge pool at the base of the 8-ft drop — holds water and color even when most Ozark falls have gone dry. Short 0.6-mile bushwhack from the trailhead.
Seasonal & worth a look
Pools that swim well when the water's up, or where the creek nearby has good holes. Check depth before jumping.
Hamilton Falls
Seasonal12 ft · Tributary · Strenuous
Deep in the Richland Creek Wilderness with no maintained trail — impressive when water is up; pool depth not well-documented, treat as a wade unless you scout it.
Pam's Grotto Falls
Seasonal37 ft · Tributary · Moderate
37-ft fall into a grotto-like sandstone ravine — the enclosed setting and height suggest a real pool, but specific swim-depth is unverified.
Paradise Falls
Seasonal40 ft · Upper · Moderate
A 'magical forest pool' below the falls, but access to the base is steep and rope-assisted; depth is highly seasonal.
Richland Falls
Seasonal8 ft · Tributary · Strenuous
An 8-ft cascade spanning ~100 ft across Richland Creek; broad and shallow at the falls itself, but deep swimming pools sit just upstream and downstream.
Six Finger Falls
Seasonal6 ft · Tributary · Easy
Wide ledge fall with pools between the six 'fingers' on Falling Water Creek — a confirmed swimming destination at higher water, more of a wade in late summer.
Twin Falls of Richland
Seasonal17 ft / 19 ft · Tributary · Strenuous
Pair of falls on Richland Creek deep in the wilderness — the creek corridor is known for cold pools, but specific swim depth at the falls is unconfirmed and the water stays icy.
Before you swim
- ● Never jump into a pool you haven't checked for depth and submerged rocks.
- ● The rock around waterfall pools is usually covered in slick algae — falls and head injuries are the #1 risk, not drowning.
- ● Flash floods can fill narrow hollows in minutes. If thunderstorms are forecast upstream, stay out of slot canyons and box hollows.
- ● Ozark creek water stays cold year-round — even in July, deep pools can drop body temperature fast.
- ● Pools listed as "Seasonal" may be ankle-deep in late summer. Don't drive a long way assuming it'll be swimmable.