Hiking & Swimming in TN or VA

“I want to take a car camping trip where there is a good place to swim.

I spent the weekend scouting Norris Lake but didn't leave there too encouraged.

Any ideas within a couple hours of Knoxville? Hot Springs, NC is an option but the swimming is not exactly what I am looking for.”

“define, "what I'm looking for." Is this a sly way to ask about skinny dipping?”

“You want lakes or streams?”

“Preferably lake and no, dayhiker, this is not a skinny dipping trip.

I had such a good time on the Summer blast trip, I would like to find somewhere close that has hiking/camping/lake, river etc.

The trip along Kentucky Lake was awesome. I don't mind hiking in but I am looking for a more kicked back kind of weekend.”

“I guess the Hiwasse is an option, but damn that water will be cold.

http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/Hiwassee/index.shtml”

“What about Lake Watagua (sp?) near Elizabethton. I've not stayed but have been there a couple of times. Is a beautiful lake.”

“Ok, now where do I hike/camp. I know the AT crosses the dam.”

“Watauga is a pretty lake. I've been through there between Roan and Boone.”

“Well, the lake is quite large..and there is a smaller park..near Lake Wiley, below Watagua, that had some nice campsites. I'm sure though there are LOTS of campgrounds in that area.”

“The only one I found was on the tailwater.”

“how about watts bar or the ocoee river,the ocoee also has great rafting and kayaking”

“you could also try vonore”

“BearTree Lake near Damascus Virginia.”

“Thanks blazintrail and fridge.”

“Is the water frigid, Fridgy?”

“I always spell this wrong...but what about Lake Santeelah (sp) near Robinsville, NC. That is a beautiful little lake..I'm sure cold because it is a mountain lake but still a pretty place.”

“I was thinking of the campsite near the lower falls on the Slickrock trail - nice swimming hole at the base of the falls.”

“Good ideas, keep the coming. I plan to hike all summer this year.”

“Well then if you are wanting summer hikes I shall suggest Skinny Dip Falls...it is at MM 417 on the BRP. The MTS runs through that area and up to Shining Rock Wilderness area.”

“Lake Santeetlah is a nice lake. Very little of the lake shore has, or will ever have, houses on it. There are lots of campsites to choose, but I don't know about trails since I visited the lake using the boat that came with the house we rented their a few summers back. The water isn't that cold and its supposedly has great fishing. I know there is a trail that leads from the lake up to the AT.

Midnight Hole is a great swimming hole. I just read something about people being concerned that we may lose it soon because the hurricane of 2004 weakened the trees that are holding the rocks in place. Don't know how much truth is in that.

I don't know how far this is from Knoxville but their is a US forest service campground on Lake Blue Ridge in Georgia. Its a beautiful place. My brother in law shares a lakehouse across the way from the campground. It looks fairly rustic for a campground with paved roads, if course it has the picnic table and tent pad at each site. http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/lkblurcp.htm I lnow their is a pretty nice waterfall a couple miles away by road, (not sure if walking) that has a short hike on the Benton Mackaye trail to reach it.”

“GREAT suggestions Hyway..and boy did I spell Santeetlah wrong! LOL”

“Summersville Lake in WV, one of the prettiest lakes anywhere. Deep clear water with big cliffs and boulders.”

“Thanks. I have some research to do on these, but it looks like summer hikes/camping/swimming is near it hand.”

“Bust Ass Falls, Horsepasture River”

“Thanks edoc! I will definately put that on the list of places to go this summer.”