6 Refreshing Natural Pools You’ll Definitely Want To Visit This Summer In Illinois
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
Looking for a place to cool off this summer? With numerous lakes, rivers, pools, and water parks around Illinois, there are certainly a lot of places to get some relief from the heat. But if you haven’t yet experienced taking a dip in one of the many natural pools or swimming holes around the state, here are a few you can try:
Within the Shawnee National Forest, Bell Smith Springs Recreational Area contains a series of pools that perfect for swimming and wading. It's also one of the most picturesque spots to take a dip with scenic sandstone cliffs and forest surrounding the pools.
Kinkaid Lake Spillway is located at the end of the man-made Kinkaid Lake and has a three-level tiered cascade that empties into a pool below. It can be rather slippery, so bring some good footwear, but the pool is a refreshing slice of heaven on a hot summer's day.
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A hike to this waterfall-fed pool at Ferne Clyffe State Park is more than worth it for the refreshing dip you can take. And with little foot traffic through this part of the park, you may even have Bork Falls all to yourself!
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Diamond Lake is a small natural body of water within the 100-acre Diamond Lake Beach Recreation area. There are many amenities to enjoy here like a beach, playground, and picnic area. If you want to do more than swimming, kayaks, paddleboats, and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent. You can learn more about this lake on the webpage.
Jackson Falls is arguably the most beautiful waterfall in the Prairie State. At 60 feet and surrounded by rocks, it's an ideal spot for rock climbing and those who decide to make the trek along the trails to get here can cool off in the pool below.
Pounds Hollow Lake Recreation Area is located within the Shawnee Forest Preserve and if you like swimming, you'll love swimming in this small 25-acre lake with a beach. Surrounded by gorgeous forest, this is one scenic swimming hole! You can learn more about this lake on the official webpage.
What swimming holes will you be headed to this summer? Please tell us in the comment section.
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Featured Addresses
Bell Smith Springs Road, Bell Smith Springs Rd, Ozark, IL 62972, USA
1 Spillway Rd, Gorham, IL 62940, USA
Regent Lane, Regent Ln, Illinois 62939, USA
1016 N Diamond Lake Rd, Mundelein, IL 60060, USA
Glen Saint Falls Road, Glen St Falls Rd, Illinois, USA