1. Walden Pond, Concord, MA: You don't have to be a reclusive, transcendentalist author to enjoy the scenery of Walden Pond – though you will still find a cooling retreat that's miles away, literally and figuratively, from your local rec center. As a bonus, go for a tour of Thoreau's cabin after your swim; exercise and culture!

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2. Auburn State Recreation Area, Auburn, CA: If you're the restless type, head to Auburn, California. It's here where the American River branches off, and along its North Fork you'll find a huge number of inviting swimming holes to frolic amongst. Clark's Hole is one of the most popular, while University Falls consists of a series of natural waterslides. Just watch your step: Nothing hurts quite like a boulder to the behind.

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3. Lake Lanier, Gainesville, GA: A breezy drive from Atlanta, the winding and expansive Lake Lanier was created when the Chattahoochee River was dammed in the 1950s. Its squiggly outline and many islands make for close to 700 miles of shoreline. And although it's hosted Olympic events in the past, rest assured that the lake's many beaches mean you can always find a quiet spot.

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4. Green Lake Park, Seattle, WA: Green Lake Park isn't just a refreshing swimming spot. Given that this nature preserve is located in the middle of the bustling city, it's also a textbook-definition oasis. Go for a stroll around the lake's jogging path before dipping into the water for a chilled-out float. Then grab a coffee at one of the on-site cafes. Because Seattle.

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5. Moulton Falls, Yacolt, WA: Just a 45-minute drive outside of Portland, Moulton Falls – with its two rapids, see-straight-to-the-bottom-clear swimming hole, and surrounding forest – is absurdly picturesque. Daredevils are known to plunge from the bridge overlooking the water, but don't try that at home, kids. (Jumping from the rocky shoreline is adrenaline-pumping enough.)

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6. Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY: Swim in the Hudson?! If you're a New Yorker, the thought alone will give you shivers – but we're not talking about the unappealing, Jersey-side stretch of the river. Up in Westchester County, the meandering Hudson is actually clean and inviting to swimmers. Head to Croton Point Park where beaches lead down to the lapping water.

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7. Buttermilk Falls State Park, Ithaca, NY: Ithaca is gorges. But really: This upstate New York enclave is famous for its rugged ravines. Most of them have great views, but it's the rare find that also hosts a secretive wild swimming spot. Direct your attention, then, to this state park's scenic falls and shallow water holes. Just don't come expecting actual buttermilk. The name comes from the foamy rapids, not the dairy product.

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8. Jacob's Well, Wimberley, TX: What's cooler than swimming in a wild water hole? Swimming in a wild water hole that also doubles as an underground cave system – obviously. At Jacob's Well, expect striking views of rocky shallows, which suddenly give way to a deep blue cavern below. If you've got a fear of depths, though, this one might not be recommended.

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9. Ohiopyle, PA: Water parks are fun and all, but it's Mother Nature who makes the best waterslides. For evidence, depart from Pittsburgh and motor down to Ohiopyle. At the Meadow Run section of the local waterway, a quick-running little current propels swimmers downstream into a swimming hole below. After checking in with the park to ensure the water levels are swimmer-friendly, dive in for a ride and, when you get tired, make like a turtle and sun yourself on the adjacent rocks.

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10. Frenchtown, NJ: You may no longer need floaties to keep your head above water, but there's something deliciously regressive in using floatation devices during a splash session. In Frenchtown, NJ, which is separated from Pennsylvania by the Delaware River, you can float lazily along the river for hours in a tube. Or opt for a raft or canoe – or even just paddle around near the water's edges. But where's the fun in that?

Photo courtesy of Chad Baker/Jason Reed/Ryan McVey/Photodisc/Thinkstock