Swimming Holes, Creeks and Waterfalls: Hiking and Camping Water Safety

Swimming holes, creeks and waterfalls are usually far from lifeguards, cell service and quick rescue, so plan as if help will be slow. Stay off wet rocks and the tops of waterfalls, go in feet first, put life jackets on children, check the weather before you set out, and get out if it starts to rain hard or the water rises.

A cold creek at the end of a hot hike is one of the best feelings there is. This guide helps you enjoy it and get everyone home.

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Why remote water is riskier

At a guarded beach, help is close. On a trail, it can take a long time to arrive. The National Park Service (NPS) lists the risks plainly for one of its river parks:

• Remoteness, with limited and slow rescue access in gorges (opens in a new tab).
• Cell phone service that is not reliable (opens in a new tab).
• No lifeguards (opens in a new tab): "Swim at your own risk."
• Cold water and hypothermia risk, even on warmer days (opens in a new tab).

CDC adds that natural water has hidden hazards such as dangerous currents, rocks or vegetation, and limited visibility (opens in a new tab). The water can also be colder than the air suggests. The National Weather Service reminds us that warm air doesn't always mean warm water (opens in a new tab).

Slippery rocks and waterfall tops

Many injuries at waterfalls happen before anyone gets in the water.

The NPS gives two clear rules:

• Do not climb on rocks near waterfalls, and use extreme caution when walking along riverbanks. These rocks are slippery from mist and algae. (opens in a new tab)
• The top of any waterfall is dangerous. Never play in the stream above a waterfall. (opens in a new tab)

At Shenandoah National Park, NPS adds: never walk around on top of a waterfall. Wet rocks are surprisingly slippery, and there have been several serious or fatal injuries around our waterfalls (opens in a new tab).

Habits that help:

• Stay on marked trails and viewpoints. Respect fences and signs.
• Keep children's hands held near drop-offs and wet rock.
• Take photos from a safe spot, not the edge.
• Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops, on rocks.

Swimming in plunge pools and creeks

If you do swim, pick a calm pool away from falling water, and check it first.

• Feet first. The American Red Cross says to always enter unknown or shallow water feet first (opens in a new tab).
• No jumping from rocks or ledges. The Red Cross says do not enter the water from a height (opens in a new tab). Shepherd Center, a spinal cord injury hospital, warns that diving injuries happen in pools, lakes, rivers, creeks and swimming holes (opens in a new tab), and that some injuries occur by hitting the far side of a swimming hole (opens in a new tab). More in jumping and diving safety.
• Watch the current. Water moving into or out of a pool can be stronger than it looks. The Red Cross warns about fast-moving currents, even in shallow water (opens in a new tab). See river safety for strainers and what to do if the current takes you.
• Swim with a buddy. The Red Cross advises: swim with a buddy (opens in a new tab).

Currents in creeks after rain

Small streams change fast. NPS warns that area streams rise rapidly to unsafe levels following moderate to heavy rains (opens in a new tab), and that in its whitewater park, water levels can change quickly with weather and rainfall (opens in a new tab). CDC adds that local weather can change quickly and cause dangerous flash floods (opens in a new tab).

Rain doesn't have to fall where you are standing. The National Weather Service says a thunderstorm could take place several miles away, but eventually that water will arrive downstream (opens in a new tab), and that low-lying areas may be very dry one minute and filled with rushing water from upstream the next (opens in a new tab).

What to do:

• Check the forecast for the whole area before you leave, and again at the trailhead.
• Leave the water at the first sound of thunder. NPS says when you hear thunder, get out of the water immediately (opens in a new tab).
• If the water starts to rise, get out and move to higher ground. The National Weather Service says to evacuate immediately when water starts to rise (opens in a new tab), and if you are camping in a low-lying area during a flood, get to higher ground immediately (opens in a new tab).
• Never cross a flooded stream on foot. The National Weather Service says just 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult (opens in a new tab).

Camping trips with children

A campsite by a creek or lake means water is close all day and all night, not only at swim time.

• Life jackets. CDC says children should use life jackets for all activities while in and around natural water (opens in a new tab), including playing at the edge.
• Arm's reach. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that a supervising adult who can swim stays within arm's length of an infant, toddler or weak swimmer (opens in a new tab) in or around water.
• No children watching children. The AAP says don't leave a baby or young child near any body of water in the care of another child (opens in a new tab).
• Boundaries. Show children where the water starts and agree that nobody goes to the water without an adult, including for dishes, fishing or a morning look.
• Count heads. At busy camps, name a Water Watcher for any time children are near the water.

Telling someone your plan

NPS advises having an emergency contact: tell someone your plan and general location, including your route, start and end points, and expected return time (opens in a new tab), before you start. Where cell service is poor, NPS says satellite-based communication devices are recommended for emergencies (opens in a new tab).

Know how you would call for help, and where you are. Note trail names, junctions and landmarks as you hike. For tips on what to tell 911, see calling 911 near water.

What you can do today

• Pick your next hike or campsite and look up its park's water and weather warnings.
• Pack life jackets for the children, and shoes with grip for everyone.
• Write down your route and return time and send it to someone who isn't coming.
• Teach your family the waterfall rules: stay off wet rocks, and never play above a falls.
• Print the open-water checklist for your hiking bag.

If your trip includes a lake, see lake swimming safety. For planning a whole trip, see vacation water safety.