Summer’s here and many of us are heading to the pool, lake or beach for some well deserved sun worshiping and swimming. I’m actually writing this post from a lake house in Minnesota where we have a great beach to swim as well. For those folks out there that are looking to share in these summer traditions without the crowds of the beaches or the chlorine of the backyard pool, Yahoo News recently posted an article on the best swimming holes in America.

Havasu Falls

This group of the top swimming holes range from the Maine coast to Texas to the Sierra Nevada’s in California. Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon stands out on this list and for good reason. This remote destination in the desert is a lush oasis of blue green water and 5 sets of waterfalls and of course, swimming holes. It’s a 10 mile hike to get to the campground but the payoff is well worth it.

Another out of the way place to swim on the list is Carlon Falls in Yosemite National Park.  Here water pours off a 35 foot waterfall into this remote pool. It’s much easier to get to that Havasu Falls with only a 2 mile easy hike  required to reach the falls so you can enjoy this swimming hole in a day trip.

One swimming hole on the list that brought back memories is the Blue Hole in the Catskill Mountains near Sundown NY. I used to swim here during the summer during my high school and college years and I remember the water being cold but the rope swing was awesome. You can enjoy this New York gem in a long day trip from NYC but be prepared for a 3 and 1/2 hour drive from Manhattan to get there.

If you are like me, thinking about these great out of the way places to swim are giving you the urge to get out your bathing suit, pack up a cooler, and think up an excuse to play hooky from work on Friday.