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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

The Incredible Spring-Fed Pool In Virginia You Absolutely Need To Visit

The Blue Ridge Swim Club features a historic, naturally spring-fed swimming pool in Charlottesville, VA, offering a unique and scenic summer experience.

Published Apr 20, 2017

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

Swimming pools and summertime go hand-in-hard. When the temperature rises, there's no better way to cool off than a quick dip. But did you realize there's a naturally spring-fed swimming pool in the heart of the state? The pool at the Blue Ridge Swim Club is a little piece of paradise that you'll want to learn more about before those hot days of summer hit. Here's more on the history of the pool, the private swim club, and resources to learn more about its membership:

The Blue Ridge Swim Club is located at 1275 Owensville Road, Charlottesville VA 22901.

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Google Maps

The scenic and naturally-fed swimming pool is not only a hidden gem in the Shenandoah Valley, but also a historic landmark.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

The pool was built in 1913 as part of a summer camp known as the Blue Ridge Camp. It’s considered to be the third-oldest swimming pool in the U.S.

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Blue Ridge Swim Club

The elaborate water flow system brings in water from a nearby spring and separates out the silt, providing pristine and natural swimming water.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

Since the 1940s, the pool has been a centerpiece of the Blue Ridge Swim Club, which today also includes a co-ed day camp.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

The pool boasts features such as a diving board, inner tubes for floating, and even live music during Sunday evenings.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

Completely surrounded by trees, the spring-fed swimming spot is nothing short of an oasis during the hot months of summer.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

For anyone with a membership, the pool is open on Sundays from early June to mid-August.

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The Blue Ridge Swim Club/Facebook

Tours of the pool are also available, with plenty of areas open for picnics and lounging. Can you imagine a more peaceful surrounding for such a unique natural attraction?

Memberships to the Blue Ridge Swim Club are available for $60 per summer (no fee for swimmers 18 years of age or younger). Due to the small nature of the area, these memberships are somewhat limited. For more information on registration or visiting the pool for an open house weekend, click here. If you enjoyed reading about this spring-fed pool, you'll also want to check out these 11 Must-Visit Swimming Holes In Virginia.

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

There’s A Gorge In Virginia That Looks Just Like The New River Gorge, But Hardly Anyone Knows It Exists

Breaks Interstate Park in Virginia, known as the Grand Canyon of the South, offers stunning geological formations and abundant wildlife.

Updated Aug 11, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

The New River Gorge is one of the most iconic wonders on the East Coast, located in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Yet you don’t have to cross state lines to experience a natural wonder in Virginia that’s equally striking. In our opinion, Breaks Interstate Park in Dickenson County, looks a lot like the New River Gorge, and if you’ve never visited, it’s high time you planned a trip. So, come with us to see one of the most unique gorges in Virginia that will literally blow your mind.

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Millions of years ago, upon the formation of the Appalachian Mountains, a wave of earth and rock was created. Today, at the westernmost point of these ancient formations, you'll find Breaks Interstate Park.

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Breaks Interstate Park / Facebook

Nothing short of a natural wonder and a geological phenomenon, this region of Virginia is an outdoor enthusiast's dream. The 1,000-foot gorge, nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the South, is the result of the Russell Fork River.

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Breaks Interstate Park / Facebook

The giant sandstone cliffs, known as the Towers, ascend above the canyon, creating a stunning visual effect. Even photos, as beautiful as they are, can't quite do justice to the view!

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Breaks Interstate Park / Facebook

If it's your first time visiting the Breaks, be sure to check out Breaks Overlook, an iconic view of the landscape. It's especially stunning when the fog rolls in.

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Breaks Interstate Park / Facebook

Overlooks Trail is another gorgeous view of the park. Just look at those stunning colors!

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Breaks Park

And while Breaks Interstate Park is famous for its canyon, the abundance of wildlife here is equally as mesmerizing.

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Breaks Interstate Park / Facebook

During certain times of the year, visitors are invited to see Virginia's Elk Restoration Zone.

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Have you ever visited Breaks Interstate Park? What was your experience at this look-a-like gorge in Virginia? Feel free to share your adventures with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For more unique destinations to visit, be sure to check out our list of natural wonders in Virginia.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/virginia/natural-wonder-va/

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Nature|Beaches, Lakes & Rivers

A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Are Sand Dunes Hiding In Virginia

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve in Virginia offers a stunning and unexpected landscape with tall sand dunes and diverse wildlife.

Updated Aug 9, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

When you think of sand dunes, you likely picture New Mexico's White Sand Dunes National Park, or perhaps the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve in Colorado. You may not have realized that Virginia also has a collection of sand dunes, and it's just as spectacular. To view this wild, rugged, and somewhat unexpected landscape, head to Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve in Cape Charles. Prepare to be amazed by the untouched beauty of some of the coolest natural wonders in Virginia!

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Virginia's most visited beaches are popular for a reason: they're easy to access, offer amenities such as restaurants and boardwalks, and often have the buzz of crowds.

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Len Richardson / Google

Yet there's something special about the quieter, off-the-beaten-path beaches, and today's feature destination certainly qualifies.

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Patrick Kerr / Google

Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve is comprised of 298 acres along the Chesapeake Bay in Northampton County.

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Patrick Kerr / Google

The dunes are among the tallest natural points on Virginia's Eastern Shore!

It's a stunning gem of a beach on Virginia's Eastern Shore, made all the more spectacular by the presence of 50-foot sand dunes for which the area is named.

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Len Richardson / Google

The preserve, which is maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, is open to the public, yet it's absolutely vital to respect both nature and wildlife here.

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Stephen Linenfelser / Google

As you can imagine, the beach, dunes, and maritime forest make up an important habitat for countless plants and wildlife, including tiger beetles and migratory songbirds.

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Visitors will find a small public parking lot as well as three hiking trails for safely exploring the area.

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Bill Dyas / Google

If you do plan to visit, be sure to leave only footprints in the sand!

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Bill Dyas / Google

Did you know about this unexpected wonder hiding in Virginia? Have you visited Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area in Cape Charles? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we'd love to hear from you! For related content, check out our natural wonders road trip through Virginia. And be sure to take a look at our road trip essentials!

Love all things Virginia? Check out this amazing footage of Shenandoah National Park:

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