Favorite Duluth Area Swimming Holes

@ndy Aug 10, 2010 23 Comments

I have a simple question. Seeing as summer is about to draw to a close, what is your favorite Duluth area swimming hole? The deeps, the shallows, the Lester River train bridge, Lester Park, Twin Ponds and the spot beneath the bridge crossing the St. Louis river on the Willard Munger trail all come to mind. Does anyone have any other favorites aside from spots along Lake Superior?

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23 Comments

keega016

about 10 years ago 

The French River is a great spot, especially after a good rain. If you're headed up scenic 61, take a left on Ryan Rd. and a right into the back of the church parking lot and follow the trail to the river. Enjoy.

bfinstad

about 10 years ago 

I know more about Superior than I do Duluth.  Over there is a swimming spot on Barker's Island and I often see kids jumping from the railroad trussel into the Nemadji River.

bfinstad

about 10 years ago 

BTW - What a fun topic!  (Oh, and there is a swimming beach out at Pattison State Park too!)

Bad Cat!

about 10 years ago 

The nudie-pot, nude swimming hole up from the Deeps.

Paul Lundgren

about 10 years ago 

Thanks for bringing that up and jarring my memory, Bad Cat. I haven't heard about Duluth's nude swimming spot in a long time, and have never been. All I remember being told is that it's somewhere on Amity Creek, and it's a bit of a hike from any road.

Sure, all swimming holes have their share of skinny dippers, but I remember hearing that this spot is where people gather and sunbath in the buff. But I never checked it out.

Anyone with details or anecdotes? No photos, please.

I took a plunge into Kingsbury Creek yesterday. Not an ideal spot, but it gets the job done. There's also a couple spots in Keane Creek.

@ndy

about 10 years ago 

I always thought the shallows was the nude spot but I could be wrong.

Barrett Chase

about 10 years ago 

People actually swim at Twin Ponds? [shudder]

thedoog

about 10 years ago 

MMMMM golf course runoff...

The Opponent

about 10 years ago 

I've swam at Twin Ponds.  The slime does wonders for the skin.

Doodle

about 10 years ago 

I LOVE the deeps but unfortunately a bunch of people are anti-deeps right now because some of the kids jumping of the rocks weren't being careful and got injured. It is really easy to stay safe as long as you are being smart. It is a great spot for jumping off rocks and sitting in the water but if you are the kind of person who likes to swim laps then maybe this isn't the perfect place for you.

bluenewt

about 10 years ago 

I was out for a run on the Lester Trails a week ago and saw a number of naked people hanging out on the rocks by the river. You can see them from that one overlook on the main loop, the one with the view of the waterfall. Just past the overlook there's a small, steep, unofficial trail down to the river, but I think most of the nudists actually approach from the Lester River Road.

rij

about 10 years ago 

Local kayakers dubbed the spot "Naked Man Falls"  several years ago.  bluenewt has the location correct.  I have been going there for over 20 years and have a friend who started going in the mid 1970s.  Back in the day there would be as many as 30-40 naturists enjoying this beautiful spot.  In recent years numbers have dropped off to maybe a dozen max. On the nicest weekend days.  A great spot for swimming as well as sunbathing.

rij

about 10 years ago 

P.S.  It is on Lester River, not Amity creek.

RS

about 10 years ago 

Some of my favorites (besides Wis Pt):  Sandy Lake in Blackhoof Twshp (nice sandbar, but weedy at the beginning of the year), Big Lake on the rez (also nice sandbar), Minnoette boat landing (water is really low and warm this year).  There's also a little spot on a creek in Carlton near the start of the bike trail, but if you don't know how to find it you will miss it.

tamara

about 10 years ago 

I think what bothers me about folks jumping off at the Deeps is the folks who do it unsafely. Jumping off 10 feet above the water - not so bad. Jumping off from the bridge level - eh... Jumping off from the top of the tree above the bridge above the cliff into a waterhole not much bigger than a pond? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. I am constantly amazed more people are not hurt there. Then again, natural selection will prevail, I suppose.

Sam

about 10 years ago 

Long live the deeps!

Beret

about 10 years ago 

I have many fond memories of the French River. It's a lovely spot.

Mimi

about 10 years ago 

Wisconsin Point- not too busy, sandy, beautiful, although slightly cold.

Shwanky

about 10 years ago 

So I'm new college student to Duluth..where is this "deeps" place at exactly? Cuz I've only been jumping at a rock quarry near Mora and this place (the deeps) sounds fun while I'm up here!

Paul Lundgren

about 10 years ago 

Go up Occidental Boulevard off of Superior Street. On your right you'll see a pedestrian bridge over the river. That's where "The Deeps" is. Jump far enough to clear the rocks, or you'll be in a lot of pain.


View Larger Map

Paul Lundgren

about 10 years ago 

And here's some hot footage from "The Deeps" by Mark Ryan.

Shwanky

about 10 years ago 

Thank you! This is awesome! I hope it's not too cold this time if the year! Haha and thank you for maps and vid!

Gerald Marello

about 7 years ago 

I have always been a nudist and very public about it. I am unable healthwise to do it at 68, but in my younger days I used to go about two blocks out from Brighton Beach and walk out on the rocks. I always brought a towel and an ice cream bucket for water and I would go out to where there was no one to see me. Because of psoriatic arthritis lay for hours most wonderful feeling of pain relief and true serenity.

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