Summer is quickly approaching full-strength and soon you’ll be looking for the top ways to beat the heat. Of course, one of the most classic ways to do this is to go for a swim. The Madison area is home to several great swimming holes and locations, and it can be hard to decipher which ones are the most worth your while. If you’re wondering where you can go for a swim around Madison, check out these incredible locations below.
1. Amnicon Falls
This State Park offers several refreshing waterfalls and plunge pools to swim in. The falls include the Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Now and Then Falls, and Snake Pit Falls. The drop at the Upper Falls location is about 15 feet, and water levels do fluctuate, so care should be taken before leaping in. The park has designated camping areas for outdoor adventurers looking for a place to stay.
2. Eau Claire River
The excitement of Amnicon Falls can bring a lot of visitors to the park, making for a noisy, crowded day of swimming. If you’re looking for something a bit more secluded, you’ll want to give the Eau Claire River a shot. The words eau claire translate from French to clear water, and there’s no better way to describe this wonderfully secluded swimming hole.
Once you’ve arrived, you’ll be greeted by a relaxing, slow-moving river with sandy beaches and a sandy bottom. It’s a real surprise that more people aren’t heading down to these refreshing waters. There is no camping or other amenities at this location.
3. Pebble Beach
It’s hard to leave Lake Michigan out of the equation when it comes to the best area swimming holes. This quiet bay is tough to find, but the reward is worth it. You’ll almost always have the area to yourself, and who doesn’t want that? If you have a hiking GPS, you can plug in latitude 45.18522 and longitude 87.15166. While it’s a longer trek than some of the other swimming spots on our list, the views and seclusion are second to none.
4. Salmo Pond
Sitting much closer to home is Salmo Pond. It’s an abandoned quarry that has been converted into a sandy beach and sandy bottom body of water. It’s also fed by the Black Earth Creek, which is teaming with trout and perfect for fishing. The water is always cool and refreshing, even on the hottest days of the summer.
5. Devil’s Lake State Park
Sometimes, you just need a quick retreat to beat the heat, which means you won’t be taking road trips to the most fabulous spots in the state. In these cases, you’ll want to make your way to Devil’s Lake State Park. It’s a recreational behemoth with two large beaches, excellent fishing opportunities and more. Because of its size and convenience, it is frequently very crowded.
Whether you’re looking to drive a bit for nature’s incredible splendor, or you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cool off, you’ll wind it all within driving distance of Madison, WI. Check out some of the top spots above for an amazing summer retreat.
“20140718_Amnicon_Falls_State_Park_0009.jpg”via Flickr by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Used with permission via CC BY-ND 2.0 / cropped from original
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