What better way to beat the heat than taking a dip in a cool pool or rushing down a slippery water slide? Here's a list of some of the best places in north Alabama to swim, but make sure to lather up with sunscreen first! Most pools and water parks open Memorial Day weekend. 

DeSoto State Park's Swimming Pool

Go for a swim at DeSoto State Park’s swimming pool. (photo credit: DeSoto State Park)

DeSoto State Park pool

Joe Wheeler State Park Day Use Area

Spend the day at the day use area at Joe Wheeler State Park. Opens Memorial Day weekend.

joe wheeler state park day use area

Lake Guntersville State Park Beach

Get some sun on the beach at Lake Guntersville State Park. (photo by Lake Guntersville State Park)

Lake Guntersville State Park beach

Hippie Hole

Take a dip in the Hipppie Hole in Little River Canyon National Preserve. (photo by @coreychambers1)

Hippie Hole

Pirate's Bay Water Park

Cool off and have a blast at the new Pirate's Bay Water Park in Leesburg! (photo by Pirate's Bay Water Park)

Pirates Bay Water Park

Point Mallard Water Park

Have fun in the wave pool, go down the water slides, or relax in the lazy river at Point Mallard Water Park.

point mallard wave pool

Red Bay Water Park

Cool off at the Red Bay Water Park for the summer!

Red Bay Waterpark

Rickwood Caverns State Park Swimming Pool

Swim at Rickwood Caverns State Park’s public pool. The park has a new twisty slide that's fun for the kids.

rickwood caverns pool

Sand Mountain Park

The new Sand Mountain Park in Albertville is amazing! 

sand mountain waterpark

Spring Valley Beach Water Park

Spring Valley Beach in Blountsville is so much fun! The water park has numerous water slides, a kiddie area, and a huge pool.

spring valley beach

Of course, you can always cool off and swim in one of north Alabama's beautiful eight lakes: Bear Creek Lakes, Lake Guntersville, Neely Henry Lake, Pickwick Lake, Smith Lake, Weiss Lake, Wheeler Lake, and Wilson Lake.