Cool off in these 10 refreshing swimming holes

When the dog days of summer settle in, sitting on the couch in an air-conditioned room might seem like the best way to keep cool, but there’s a better way. Rivers and lakes across the Midwest and South beckon for a refreshing dip. Check out these 10 swimming holes, several of which have beaches where you can also picnic or take a nap. Just be sure to pack a sunshade and sunscreen.

For the perfect combo of swimming hole and paddling river, Echo Bluff State Park is hard to beat. Sinking Creek—a shallow, crystal-clear stream—flows through the park and past the namesake Echo Bluff. Swimming holes of various depths abound, both within the park and a quarter-mile away where Sinking Creek flows into the Current River.

The junction is a popular stopping point for kayakers and canoers before they continue down the Current River, part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The contrast between the cool Sinking Creek and the bracingly cold Current River is most evident at that spot.

With more than 800 miles of shoreline, Table Rock Lake in the family-vacation mecca of Branson has many places to swim, sunbathe, scuba dive, snorkel, or paddle. One of the lake’s most popular places to play in the water is Moonshine Beach Recreation Area, located close to Table Rock Dam.

Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the sandy beach has picnic areas with grills, a playground, a volleyball court, and a restroom. Arrive early because the beach can reach capacity on hot summer days. Day-use fee, $5 per car.

There’s no need to pay admission to a fancy man-made water park if you’re in southeast Missouri. Instead, enjoy one created by Mother Nature: Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park. A jumble of boulders makes up the “shut-ins” area, where the East Fork of the Black River constricts into a maze of chutes, rivulets, rapids, and small pools.

The cool, clear waters invite you to wade, splash, and slide, but take care when navigating the slippery area. A paved walkway leads to an observation deck that offers great views of the canyon-like gorge. Don’t miss the interactive exhibits about the park at the Black River Center.

Overnight guests can choose from a campground ($15 per night for basic sites in-season) and 6 camper cabins ($80 per night in-season).

A strip-mining operation about 12 miles north of Columbia removed more than 1.2 million tons of coal in the mid-1960s, leaving behind piles of barren soil and a number of water pits. Reclaimed in the early 1970s, the site was reborn as Finger Lakes State Park. Cool off in a series of small lakes linked by dams and canals that the mining company left behind.

A sandy swimming beach with a change house highlights this aquatic treasure. Explore a water trail stretching more than 1.5 miles on the park’s eastern edge via a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe rented from the park. Watercraft rentals start at $25.

The rugged landscape buzzes with off-road vehicles (ORV) and motorcycles on more than 70 miles of trails. One-day permits start at $6. There’s a mountain bike trail with a pump track next to the trailhead.

For more than 50 years, Rend Lake has welcomed outdoor enthusiasts to its 19,000 acres of water and 162 miles of shoreline in southern Illinois. Anglers know the lake for its white and black crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the reservoir is surrounded by 20,000 acres of forests and meadows with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails.

To cool off after fishing or hiking, slip into the water at 2 beaches. Both have buoyed swim areas, playgrounds, picnic sites, shower houses, and places for boats to beach. The larger of the duo, South Sandusky Beach, is on the lake’s west side. North Marcum Beach, on the east side, allows leashed pets in most areas. Beach use fee is $5 per vehicle.

Bordering the Hoosier National Forest, Patoka Lake sprawls over 3 southern Indiana counties. At 8,800 acres, it’s one of the state’s largest reservoirs. The spacious sandy beach on the lake’s southern shoreline is a short drive from the Patoka Lake Marina and the Patoka Lake Modern Campground. (Beach access is $7 for vehicles with Indiana license plates and $9 for out-of-state cars.)

Go beyond aquatic activities and explore hiking trails; the simply named Trail 4 showcases rock overhangs and a pine forest. Or embark on a sightseeing cruise on the lake, which is located just south of the historic towns of French Lick and West Baden Springs and just east of Jasper. Cruises start at $25 from the Patoka Lake Marina.

With 12,000 acres of water and 100 miles of wooded shoreline, Tuttle Creek Lake sets a lovely scene for a relaxing afternoon in, on, or near the water. Glide through the water via a canoe, a kayak, or a paddleboard (rentals, $10 per hour), then kick back on the sandy beach at Tuttle Creek State Park, located about 7 miles north of Manhattan.

Boat ramps and courtesy docks are available. You’ll also find shooting and archery ranges, an 18-hole disc golf course, and about 20 miles of hiking trails.

Designated a National Wild and Scenic River for its beauty, recreational opportunities, and geology, Big Piney Creek flows along sandstone bluffs and stands of oak, hickory, and pine. Paddlers will find stretches of whitewater, as well as swimming holes, along the 67-mile northwest Arkansas waterway.

The popular Long Pool Recreation Area, tucked in the heart of the Ozarks, invites you to laze on the riverbank, paddle on rafts, and jump off rocks into the turquoise waters of a large, natural pool. Restrooms and a campground are available (sites start at $15 per night).

The 14,000-acre DeGray Lake, formed 50 years ago after the Caddo River was dammed, is clear enough that snorkelers and scuba divers routinely explore its depths. You’ll often see fishing boats on the hunt for largemouth bass and striped bass near the dam and around islands.

Locals and guests of DeGray Lake Resort State Park are drawn to the Caddo Bend day-use area, which has a sandy beach with a swimming area that’s off-limits to watercraft. After frolicking in the sun, retreat to shaded picnic tables. A playground and restroom facilities are nearby.

Louisiana summers can be extremely hot and humid, so finding a place to cool off is essential. Floaters will find plenty of sand-and-pebble beaches and swimming holes during tubing adventures along the curving Bogue Chitto River in Louisiana’s Northshore area. As you meander through Washington Parish, enjoy the ever-changing view or stop along the way to picnic and take a dip.

Among several outfitters that can get you on the water, Louisiana River Adventures near Franklinton offers 2- and 4-hour tubing excursions ($25 for either one). Your trip might last longer, however, depending on how often you stop to swim or picnic. Wear water shoes and bring sunscreen and plenty of water and snacks. Kayak rentals (starting at $30) also are available.

Barbara Gibbs Ostmann is a freelance writer and outdoor enthusiast from Gerald, Missouri. AAA Explorer Regional Editor Dennis R. Heinze contributed to this report.