Destination: Swimming Hole

You haven’t been to a swimming hole since you were a kid. Maybe you’ve never been to one and have no idea how to go about getting there. What’s swimming hole etiquette?

This fast guide will walk you through finding a spot and explain how to accomplish your trip like you’ve been doing it for years.

Our family of 6 (parents and 4 kids) is something like a bunch of swimming hole connoisseurs.

When you’re getting started, these adventures do take a little planning and little expense. You’ll be hard pressed to find a more affordable family adventure.

At the start of every river and stream is what’s called the head waters. You will need to head up river towards the small sections. Our method for finding new spots is a super slow cruise along those back roads by rivers and stopping at every trail head. Someone hops out of the car and ventures down to see what’s at the other end. This can be a day of exploration and adventure all its own!

When we’re looking for a spot in our area we look for a rock to jump off, a deep pool and a shady place to hangout. Sometimes there are small rapids or waterfalls or sandy beaches.

Once you know your direction, or maybe even have a spot in mind, you’ll need to consider who is coming with you. Sometimes we repel down a rope and lower down the gear to get to our selected location. Such antics are not all enjoyable with small children or for physically limited individuals. Be aware of who is joining you and pack any ropes or shovels you may need for access. These tools are not necessary for popular places with established parking areas and maintained trails.

Sometimes we bring floaties and snorkel stuff. No two river trips are exactly the same. You’ll learn what you like as you do it more often.

Don’t forget the food and other essential supplies. Pack simple sandwich stuff, wraps, beverages, snacks etc. Sometimes we pack our portable grill to do up some burgers and a whole watermelon! Select an eco-friendly sunscreen for your family as everything we do in our rivers ends up in oceans and sunblock has been linked to coral bleaching. You may also want to bring a book or other entertainment, towels (paper and beach), seating and bug spray.

Go prepared to take out whatever you brought in. For people to keep enjoying these simple past times, the people who go to our wild places to enjoy them have a responsibility to not be littering jerks. Don’t be a jerk.

There are a few unspoken rules to swimming hole usage. Among the first would be “don’t intrude.” If there’s a parking spot and clearly room for plenty of people, go ahead and join in. If the spot you wanted to go to is one of those trails and the person there is parked partially in the road, they are there at that particular spot for the seclusion. Be polite, find another place and leave earlier next time to get there first.

Don’t poop or otherwise have potty business, including diapers, anywhere near the water! It seems like that would be obvious, but don’t spread disease. If you aren’t sure about pooping in the woods, please read this how to guide.

Be considerate to the environment. This seems like a no-brainer but people just toss everything aside without a care in the world. It is maddening. I promise, your mommy is not coming along later to pick up after you.

We hang out by a river a lot during the summer, and to help our family prevent accidental littering, reduce waste and save some money we have reusable picnic plates and utensils that are not difficult to throw in the dishwasher when we get home.

Be fire aware. If you smoke or plan on cooking with fire, be aware of the fire risks in your area. Some national forests require you to carry fire suppression tools at a certain point in fire season. You don’t want to be “that guy” who burns down the forest and the neighboring town because you carelessly tried to grill a few burgers.

There’s a lot to be said for situational awareness. Families, and other people in general, don’t want to hear your loud drunken conquest stories. Everyone can hear everything you’re loudly talking about and you are ruining everyone else’s time. Also, you’re gross. There is, of course, a time and a place for those antics. Maybe party at one of the secluded spots? Or act like you have a few manners and not be so obscene and obnoxious in mixed company.

Spring Break is coming with summer hot on her heels! Go ahead, give some simple times a chance. Checking out swimming holes may become one of your family’s favorites, too.