Wolf Creek Falls aka Paradise Falls, North Carolina

Tucked into a tight gorge in Nantahala National Forest, this swimming hole is more than just a pretty waterfall. It's a mini slot canyon adventure. The waterfall itself is usually just a trickle thanks to the dam upstream, but don't fret. What makes Paradise Falls so dreamy is the tight slot canyon that surrounds the waterfall. Swim across the clear pool to the entrance of the canyon, then climb a rope up the slick rock to the second level of rock, where the river drops between sheer, gray rock walls. The whole scene is like nothing else in North Carolina.

Logistics: There's a parking lot at Wolf Creek Lake off NC 281, a quarter-mile from the roadside trail head. The user-created trail is steep, dropping into and climbing out of a separate gorge before delivering you to the bottom of Paradise Falls. Use extra caution when swimming below or around the falls and don't go after a heavy rain. The dam at Wolf Creek Lake, above the falls, is often released to keep water levels balanced.