Philadelphia’s secret is out: NYT shows photo of Devil’s Pool

Devil’s Pool may not seem like a secret to residents who grew up playing and hiking in the Wissahickon Valley, but unless someone tells you where it is you may not find it. 

Thursday The New York Times shared this tucked away swimming hole with the world. Its appeal is danger. The risks come from diving off a 30 foot cliff.

 

See it to believe it

If you want to see an example of cliff divers check out this video narrated by Bryan James Dwyer. He says your first time jumping into Devil’s Pool is really scary.

“When you walk up to the top of that cliff. You look down. Your whole body is telling you stop. But you say no you got to push forward mentally. Just throw yourself off the cliff,” he said.

He describes Devil’s Poll as a secret society for those who know where it is, “It’s not really on a tourist map,” he said. 

 

Diving is prohibited

It is against park rules for anyone to dive into Devil’s Pool. It is considered highly dangerous.

 

What’s with all the trash?

Oh, there’s one more thing you should know about Devil’s Pool. There can be a lot of trash and graffiti around the area. But the Friends of the Wissahickon organizes clean up teams in the summer.

(Revised 7/25/11 to reflect that diving is banned)