Skinny Dip Falls Blue Ridge Parkway

Skinny Dip Falls was once one of the Blue Ridge Parkway's most iconic waterfalls and swimming holes. A short hike led visitors to a crystal-clear pool, smooth rock ledges, and a beautiful waterfall that became one of the most photographed and visited natural attractions along the Parkway.

Everything changed on August 17, 2021, when the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred unleashed catastrophic flooding across Western North Carolina. The Yellowstone Prong was transformed by the floodwaters, filling in the famous swimming hole, burying the popular jumping area under rock and debris, and dramatically altering the creek's course. The original footbridge was also destroyed, and much of the landscape that made Skinny Dip Falls famous disappeared.

Today, Skinny Dip Falls is a very different destination. Although the original waterfall and swimming hole are gone, the area is still a scenic stop featuring smaller cascades, a peaceful mountain stream, and a beautiful forest setting. The National Park Service has since rerouted the trail to provide access to the creek, making it possible to continue enjoying this unique area while witnessing the remarkable changes left behind by Tropical Storm Fred.

If you've never visited Skinny Dip Falls before, you'll likely find it to be a worthwhile short hike. If you're returning after 2021, just know that the landscape has been permanently transformed. We've updated this guide to show exactly what you can expect today.

Updated: 7/2/2026 - completely revised and updated with new information and photos.

Skinny Dip Falls Videos

Here are our videos from our visits to Skinny Dip Falls over the years.

Is Skinny Dip Falls Still Worth Visiting?

Yes—but with the right expectations.

If you're visiting Skinny Dip Falls for the first time, we still think it's worth making the short hike. The trail is beautiful, the walk through the forest is enjoyable, and the creek remains a peaceful place to spend a little time along the Blue Ridge Parkway. While the famous swimming hole is gone, the smaller cascades and mountain scenery still make this a worthwhile stop.

If you're returning after visiting before Tropical Storm Fred, your experience will likely be very different. The waterfall, swimming hole, and surrounding landscape that made Skinny Dip Falls famous no longer exist in the same form. It's understandable if you feel a sense of loss—we certainly do. This was one of our favorite places along the Parkway.

Today, we recommend visiting Skinny Dip Falls not for what it used to be, but for what it has become: a scenic, easy-to-reach mountain creek that tells the story of one of the most significant natural events to impact this part of the Blue Ridge Parkway in recent history.

Hiking to Skinny Dip Falls

Skinny Dip Falls is reached by an easy 0.8-mile round-trip hike from the Looking Glass Rock Overlook at Milepost 417 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. While the trail is relatively short, it is rocky in places with exposed roots, so good hiking boots or shoes are recommended.

From the parking area, carefully cross the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The path begins with a gentle descent through a beautiful hardwood forest filled with moss-covered rocks, towering trees, and rhododendrons. Even before reaching the falls, this is one of our favorite stretches of trail along this section of the Parkway.

Along the way, you’ll pass the well-known “Dragon Tree,” an unusual tree formation that has become a fun landmark on the hike to Skinny Dip Falls. It’s worth pausing for a quick look or photo before continuing down the trail.

Local Tip - If you visit the tree early in the morning, the lighting is best AND there is often fog, delivering a moody and magical theme.

As you continue downhill, the trail gradually becomes rockier before arriving at Yellowstone Prong (the same creek that flows through Graveyard Fields). 

Following Tropical Storm Fred in 2021, the original footbridge crossing Yellow Prong was destroyed, and the trail was rerouted with new steps leading down to the creek. The route is simple to follow, but it differs greatly from what longtime visitors may remember. If you explore around today, you'll find various pieces of the stairs and bridge still along the creek.

Despite the changes, the hike itself remains one of the most enjoyable short walks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering beautiful forest scenery and a peaceful mountain setting from beginning to end.

Skinny Dip Falls Today

If you visited Skinny Dip Falls before 2021, you'll immediately notice how dramatically Tropical Storm Fred reshaped this area. The massive flooding completely changed the creek, washing away the famous footbridge, moving enormous boulders, and destroying most of the deep emerald swimming hole that made Skinny Dip Falls one of the Blue Ridge Mountains' most iconic summer destinations.

Today, Skinny Dip Falls is still a beautiful place to visit, but it is best appreciated with different expectations. Instead of a large, deep swimming hole surrounded by smooth rock ledges, you'll find a much smaller cascade flowing through a wider, rock-strewn creek. There are still shallow pools where you can cool off on a hot day, but the area is no longer the the large swimming destination it once was.

Although the landscape remains scarred by the flood, nature is slowly reclaiming the area. Young trees and vegetation are returning, the creek continues to carve a new channel through the valley, and each year the scenery becomes a little greener. It's a powerful reminder of just how quickly these mountain landscapes can change.

While we certainly miss the original Skinny Dip Falls, we still think it's worth making the short hike. The forest is beautiful, the creek remains peaceful, and seeing firsthand how Tropical Storm Fred transformed this once-famous swimming hole offers a fascinating look at the incredible power of nature.

Our Tips for Visiting Skinny Dip Falls

After visiting Skinny Dip Falls many times over the years—including both before and after Tropical Storm Fred—we've learned a few things that can help make your visit safer and more enjoyable. Here are our best tips to help you know what to expect before making the short hike.

• Visit early in the morning if possible. The small parking area at Looking Glass Rock Overlook can fill quickly on weekends, especially during the summer and fall.
• Wear good shoes. Although the hike is short, the trail is rocky, uneven, and can become slippery after rain. We recommend hiking shoes and bringing a good pair of water shoes if you'll be wading in the creek
• Bring plenty of water. 
• There are NO restrooms. We recommend stopping at Graveyard Fields, at MP 418.5, to use the facilities there on your way to Skinny Dip. If you do need to go while there, do so correctly.
• Use caution around the creek. Rocks in and around the water can be extremely slick, even when they appear dry. Don't learn this lesson the hard way.
• Leave No Trace. Pack out everything you bring with you and help protect this recovering natural area by staying on established trails.
• Combine your visit with other nearby attractions. Skinny Dip Falls is just minutes from Graveyard Fields, Looking Glass Falls, Devil's Courthouse, Black Balsam, and other scenic Blue Ridge Parkway stops, making it an easy addition to a day of exploring.
• Cell service can be unreliable along this section of the Blue Ridge Parkway, so download directions or maps before you arrive.
• Every season offers something different. Spring brings wildflowers, summer offers lush greenery, fall showcases vibrant foliage, and winter provides long-range views through the bare trees.

Skinny Dip Falls before Tropical Storm Fred

For many years, Skinny Dip Falls was one of the most popular swimming holes in Western North Carolina. Although the waterfall itself was relatively modest, the crystal-clear pool at its base made it a favorite destination for both locals and visitors looking to cool off during the summer.

The broad rock ledges surrounding the pool provided plenty of places to relax, while the deep water invited swimmers of all ages. Adventurous visitors often jumped from the surrounding rocks into the pool below, while others simply enjoyed wading in the cold mountain water or stretching out in the sun. On warm weekends, it wasn't unusual to find dozens of people enjoying the area.

Its location just off the Blue Ridge Parkway also helped make Skinny Dip Falls famous. With less than a half-mile hike from the road, it offered an easy way to experience one of the Parkway's most memorable natural swimming areas without committing to a long hike.

Here are more of our photos from Skinny Dip Falls, prior to Tropical Storm Fred:

Where to Stay When Visiting Skinny Dip Falls

Since Skinny Dip Falls is located along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Brevard and Asheville, you'll find several excellent places to stay nearby. Our top recommendation is Brevard, which offers the best combination of proximity, restaurants, breweries, and outdoor adventures.

Our Pick: Brevard, NC

Located about 20 minutes from the trailhead, Brevard is the perfect basecamp for exploring Skinny Dip Falls and many of the area's other waterfalls. Often called the "Land of Waterfalls," Brevard is home to a charming downtown filled with locally owned shops, great restaurants, coffee shops, and breweries.

Staying in Brevard also puts you within easy driving distance of Looking Glass Falls, Moore Cove Falls, Sliding Rock, Looking Glass Rock, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and dozens of other popular outdoor destinations, making it an ideal choice for a weekend getaway.

Other Nearby Options

If you're planning to explore more of the Blue Ridge Parkway or spend time in Asheville, staying there is another excellent option. Asheville offers the widest selection of hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and nightlife, while still being less than an hour from Skinny Dip Falls.