It’s that time of year when we’re rounding up the best swimming holes in North Carolina and it’s no surprise we have SO many to choose from. Whether you’re seeking a dip beside a waterfall, a relaxing lazy river, or even diving right into a sapphire quarry these ten North Carolina swimming holes offer the best of the best for taking your summer to the next level.
1. The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
Facebook / The Quarry at Carrigan Farms If you’ve ever wanted to (legally) swim in a quarry, Carrigan Farms allows you to do just that. Open swim times during the summer mean taking a cool dip in this totally unique environment is possible for everyone. Carrigan Farms, 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115, USA
2. Silver Run Falls
Flickr / Matt Barnett In the Nantahala National Forest, Silver Run Falls is accessed by a quick hike. This impressive 25-foot waterfall offers a small beach for wading and a great pool for swimming with nothing but the finest mountain water. Silver Run Falls Trailhead, 35°04'00.9"N 83°04'01.1"W, Cashiers, NC 28717, USA
3. Midnight Hole
Trip Advisor / Staci R You’ll find Midnight Hole tucked deep in the Smokies, yet this secluded and pristine swimming hole doesn’t come easily. To reach it, you’ll have to follow Big Creek Trail for 1.5 miles, eventually landing at Midnight Hole. With fresh, mountain-fed water, it’s the perfect cool place for a dip after a long day of hiking and is one of the best swimming holes in North Carolina. Big Creek Trail, North Carolina, USA
4. Eno River
Flickr / Jim Dollar While many fresh swimming holes require a mountain trip or a hike to reach, Eno River is centrally located in Durham. The 40-mile river has long been known for its clean, pristine water. At the state park, you’ll find swimming, hiking, and even a rope swing. Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705, USA
5. Skinny Dip Falls
Flickr / Wen-Ting Yang Stop off the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Looking Glass Rock overlook to hike down to Skinny Dip Falls. While the hike is around three miles total, once you reach your destination, you’ll forget about the work it took to get here. Creeks meander through the mountain utopia, there’s an access bridge, a smaller swimming hole, and a larger one right beside the waterfall. The jump-off rocks make for a perfect summertime thrill and one of the best swimming holes in North Carolina. Oh, and don’t worry, you can keep your clothes on. Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
5. Cascade Falls
Flickr / gregoj If you have small children, Lower Cascade Falls is perfect for splishing and splashing without getting too deep. The shallow pool beneath the waterfall makes for a great spot to cool off after a day of hiking. The best part is that the central location of Hanging Rock makes it accessible for those in the Piedmont and Triangle! Lower Cascade Falls, North Carolina 27052, USA
7. Lake Glenville
Andrea Gabbard/Google Local Situated at 3,500 feet above sea level with 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge, Lake Glenville is easily one of the prettiest lakes in the Blue Ridge. Here you’ll also find three waterfalls, great fishing, and clear water no matter how far you swim out. Lake Glenville, North Carolina, USA
8. Deep Creek
Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground This popular tubing spot also offers so much more than your average lazy river. Think stunning waterfalls, mountain views, fun jumping off rocks, and, of course, you can just hop in a tube and float on down to the next swimming spot (or take a break and take it all in!) Deep Creek Township, NC, USA
9. Hooker Falls
Flickr / Jim Liestman For a swimming hole with plenty of swimming, Hooker Falls is your destination. You can peacefully float in a tube and enjoy the sound of the waterfall, or live a little and try the rope swing. While the swimming hole can get busy during weekends, a great time to go is during the week. Hooker Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
10. White Lake
Flickr / Lesley Looper During the early 1900s, this slice of Caribbean paradise operated as an upscale resort. As the years changed, many stopped venturing to White Lake, and today, it has become a hidden gem. Made from a crater, this natural lake is home to clear water, white sand, and oaks dripped in Spanish moss. It’s a very unique swimming hole. White Lake, NC 28337, USA
You’ve gotta love those North Carolina swimming holes! I think it’s my favorite way to swim in the summer (besides the ocean). Have you visited any that made the list? Are there any you would add?
Facebook / The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
If you’ve ever wanted to (legally) swim in a quarry, Carrigan Farms allows you to do just that. Open swim times during the summer mean taking a cool dip in this totally unique environment is possible for everyone.
Carrigan Farms, 1261 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115, USA
Flickr / Matt Barnett
In the Nantahala National Forest, Silver Run Falls is accessed by a quick hike. This impressive 25-foot waterfall offers a small beach for wading and a great pool for swimming with nothing but the finest mountain water.
Silver Run Falls Trailhead, 35°04'00.9"N 83°04'01.1"W, Cashiers, NC 28717, USA
Trip Advisor / Staci R
You’ll find Midnight Hole tucked deep in the Smokies, yet this secluded and pristine swimming hole doesn’t come easily. To reach it, you’ll have to follow Big Creek Trail for 1.5 miles, eventually landing at Midnight Hole. With fresh, mountain-fed water, it’s the perfect cool place for a dip after a long day of hiking and is one of the best swimming holes in North Carolina.
Big Creek Trail, North Carolina, USA
Flickr / Jim Dollar
While many fresh swimming holes require a mountain trip or a hike to reach, Eno River is centrally located in Durham. The 40-mile river has long been known for its clean, pristine water. At the state park, you’ll find swimming, hiking, and even a rope swing.
Eno River State Park, 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705, USA
Flickr / Wen-Ting Yang
Stop off the Blue Ridge Parkway near the Looking Glass Rock overlook to hike down to Skinny Dip Falls. While the hike is around three miles total, once you reach your destination, you’ll forget about the work it took to get here. Creeks meander through the mountain utopia, there’s an access bridge, a smaller swimming hole, and a larger one right beside the waterfall. The jump-off rocks make for a perfect summertime thrill and one of the best swimming holes in North Carolina. Oh, and don’t worry, you can keep your clothes on.
Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead, Blue Ridge Pkwy, Canton, NC 28716, USA
Flickr / gregoj
If you have small children, Lower Cascade Falls is perfect for splishing and splashing without getting too deep. The shallow pool beneath the waterfall makes for a great spot to cool off after a day of hiking. The best part is that the central location of Hanging Rock makes it accessible for those in the Piedmont and Triangle!
Lower Cascade Falls, North Carolina 27052, USA
Andrea Gabbard/Google Local
Situated at 3,500 feet above sea level with 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge, Lake Glenville is easily one of the prettiest lakes in the Blue Ridge. Here you’ll also find three waterfalls, great fishing, and clear water no matter how far you swim out.
Lake Glenville, North Carolina, USA
Deep Creek Tube Center and Campground
This popular tubing spot also offers so much more than your average lazy river. Think stunning waterfalls, mountain views, fun jumping off rocks, and, of course, you can just hop in a tube and float on down to the next swimming spot (or take a break and take it all in!)
Deep Creek Township, NC, USA
Flickr / Jim Liestman
For a swimming hole with plenty of swimming, Hooker Falls is your destination. You can peacefully float in a tube and enjoy the sound of the waterfall, or live a little and try the rope swing. While the swimming hole can get busy during weekends, a great time to go is during the week.
Hooker Falls, North Carolina 28768, USA
Flickr / Lesley Looper
During the early 1900s, this slice of Caribbean paradise operated as an upscale resort. As the years changed, many stopped venturing to White Lake, and today, it has become a hidden gem. Made from a crater, this natural lake is home to clear water, white sand, and oaks dripped in Spanish moss. It’s a very unique swimming hole.
White Lake, NC 28337, USA
If you’re looking for other ways to make the most of summer days in North Carolina … these ten day trips are out of this world.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Carolina Swimming Holes June 03, 2022 SKS What’s the most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina? Lake Junaluska Trail The most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina actually goes around the entire lake! This hike clocks in at just under 4 miles, (3.7 to be exact), and will take you all the way around Lake Junaluska. This trail is an easy one and almost entirely flat, which makes it great for a mid-day stretch out in nature for some fresh air. One of the coolest parts about this trail is that there is actually a shortcut! That’s right! The Turbeville Pedestrian Bridge cuts across the middle of the lake, so you can switch things up if you are looking for a shorter hike. What is the most popular lake in North Carolina? Lake Phelps If Lake Phelps isn’t the most popular hike in North Carolina, it should be! Lake Phelps is the second largest lake in North Carolina but it is only an average of 4.5-feet deep! This makes it perfect for jumping in to cool down when you are hiking on a hot day! There are over four miles of trails around Lake Phelps, with some wonderful overlooks like the Bee Tree Overlook. There is also a trail with a long boardwalk that takes you far out into Lake Phelps for an amazing little adventure. What is the most scenic waterfall hike in North Carolina? Linville Falls Linville Falls is one of the most scenic waterfall hikes in all of North Carolina and maybe the entire United States! This 4-mile hike will give you breathtaking views of Linville Falls that look like they were drawn in a storybook. Surrounded by changing fall leaves of bright orange, red, yellow, and green, there may not be a prettier spot in the state than Linville Falls. The hike will take you to the base of the falls, which are over 90-feet tall, as well as to an incredible overlook called Erwin’s View. Here, you will receive an overhead view of this incredibly picturesque waterfall.
The OIYS Visitor Center
North Carolina Swimming Holes
June 03, 2022
SKS
What’s the most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina? Lake Junaluska Trail The most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina actually goes around the entire lake! This hike clocks in at just under 4 miles, (3.7 to be exact), and will take you all the way around Lake Junaluska. This trail is an easy one and almost entirely flat, which makes it great for a mid-day stretch out in nature for some fresh air. One of the coolest parts about this trail is that there is actually a shortcut! That’s right! The Turbeville Pedestrian Bridge cuts across the middle of the lake, so you can switch things up if you are looking for a shorter hike. What is the most popular lake in North Carolina? Lake Phelps If Lake Phelps isn’t the most popular hike in North Carolina, it should be! Lake Phelps is the second largest lake in North Carolina but it is only an average of 4.5-feet deep! This makes it perfect for jumping in to cool down when you are hiking on a hot day! There are over four miles of trails around Lake Phelps, with some wonderful overlooks like the Bee Tree Overlook. There is also a trail with a long boardwalk that takes you far out into Lake Phelps for an amazing little adventure. What is the most scenic waterfall hike in North Carolina? Linville Falls Linville Falls is one of the most scenic waterfall hikes in all of North Carolina and maybe the entire United States! This 4-mile hike will give you breathtaking views of Linville Falls that look like they were drawn in a storybook. Surrounded by changing fall leaves of bright orange, red, yellow, and green, there may not be a prettier spot in the state than Linville Falls. The hike will take you to the base of the falls, which are over 90-feet tall, as well as to an incredible overlook called Erwin’s View. Here, you will receive an overhead view of this incredibly picturesque waterfall.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lake Junaluska Trail
The most beautiful lake hike in North Carolina actually goes around the entire lake! This hike clocks in at just under 4 miles, (3.7 to be exact), and will take you all the way around Lake Junaluska. This trail is an easy one and almost entirely flat, which makes it great for a mid-day stretch out in nature for some fresh air.
One of the coolest parts about this trail is that there is actually a shortcut! That’s right! The Turbeville Pedestrian Bridge cuts across the middle of the lake, so you can switch things up if you are looking for a shorter hike.
What is the most popular lake in North Carolina?
Lake Phelps
If Lake Phelps isn’t the most popular hike in North Carolina, it should be! Lake Phelps is the second largest lake in North Carolina but it is only an average of 4.5-feet deep! This makes it perfect for jumping in to cool down when you are hiking on a hot day! There are over four miles of trails around Lake Phelps, with some wonderful overlooks like the Bee Tree Overlook. There is also a trail with a long boardwalk that takes you far out into Lake Phelps for an amazing little adventure.
What is the most scenic waterfall hike in North Carolina?
Linville Falls
Linville Falls is one of the most scenic waterfall hikes in all of North Carolina and maybe the entire United States! This 4-mile hike will give you breathtaking views of Linville Falls that look like they were drawn in a storybook. Surrounded by changing fall leaves of bright orange, red, yellow, and green, there may not be a prettier spot in the state than Linville Falls. The hike will take you to the base of the falls, which are over 90-feet tall, as well as to an incredible overlook called Erwin’s View. Here, you will receive an overhead view of this incredibly picturesque waterfall.
