Midnight Hole In The Smoky Mountains

By Frorabeck • April 2, 2024

Midnight Hole In The Smoky Mountains

Midnight Hole

A small waterfall flows into a clear, green mountain pool surrounded by large grey boulders and dense green forest.

If you’re looking for something special on your next adventure in Gatlinburg, then we have a hidden gem we guarantee you will love! Located in the Big Creek section of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an easy trail winding its way 1.5 miles into the mountains, where guests can find swimming holes galore. Our personal favorite is Midnight Hole, where the width of Big Creek is constricted by large Sandstone boulders creating one of the most phenomenal swimming holes within the Smokies. This is a beautiful, natural swimming hole that invites you in for a dip to cool off from the summer heat. You will have the opportunity to jump off the 10-foot boulders into the cool, crisp, clear water of Big Creek. The water is crystal clear, and you can see trout swimming in the waters. This scenic spot is great for a picnic and swim! If you continue along the Big Creek Trail past Midnight Hole there is a magnificent waterfall roughly another mile down the trail called Mouse Creek Falls. If you are an avid hiker and looking to stretch your legs for a few more miles, then you can complete the Big Creek Trail with a total of 5.8 miles taking you to the Walnut Bottoms Campsite. There are plenty of other trails that branch off from the parking lot, one of which leads you to one of the oldest homesteads in the park or for a more challenging hiking experience, try making the trek to the summit of Mount Cammerer. Any of the options in the Big Creek part of the Great Smoky Mountains will be a wonderful addition to your Whitewater Rafting Adventure in East, TN!

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Rocky pool with clear green water surrounded by large boulders and dense forest greenery

Midnight Hole: The Smoky Mountains Swimming Hole (And How to Find It)

By Big Creek Expeditions • August 27, 2026
Midnight Hole is a cold, clear swimming hole on the Big Creek Trail in the Smokies, about 1.5 miles in. Here is how to find it, plus Pigeon River rafting nearby.

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