Discover the Best Swimming Holes in North Carolina

Searching for a refreshing summer escape? Discover the best swimming holes in North Carolina, from serene mountain creeks to family-friendly state park lakes. Whether you're looking for hidden swimming holes in North Carolina, seeking out pristine natural pools in North Carolina, or hoping to find waterfalls you can swim in North Carolina, we have you covered. Browse our list below to explore swimming/swim holes near North Carolina's top cities and natural areas.

Azalea Park in North Carolina

Azalea Park

Asheville, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (215)
Swannanoa RiverPet friendlyAsheville local park

Quiet riverside park in Asheville providing a gentle entry point to the Swannano...

Badin Public Access & Swimming in North Carolina

Badin Public Access & Swimming

Badin, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (286)
Badin LakeFreshwater swimmingBroad access

Broad public access point for Badin Lake, offering freshwater swimming along the...

Bard Falls in North Carolina

Bard Falls

Brevard, North Carolina
Rating 4.9 (18)
Wilson CreekWaterfallQuiet spot

Lesser known waterfall in the Wilson Creek area providing a quiet swimming hole ...

Bathtub Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Bathtub Swimming Hole

Brevard, North Carolina
Rating 3.4 (5)
Deep pocketWilson CreekRocky enclave

Unique rock-enclosed pool on the Wilson Creek riverbed, named for its perfectly ...

Berry Mountain Day Use Swim Area in North Carolina

Berry Mountain Day Use Swim Area

Wilkesboro, North Carolina
Rating 4 (5)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Big Juniper Lake in North Carolina

Big Juniper Lake

West End, North Carolina
Rating 3.8 (12)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Boone Fork Trail Hebron Falls swim area in North Carolina

Boone Fork Trail Hebron Falls swim area

Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (6)
Boulder fieldCreek swimmingScenic trail

Boulder-filled creek section where the water cascades over massive rocks creatin...

Buddle Creek Swim Area in North Carolina

Buddle Creek Swim Area

Lexington, North Carolina
Rating 4.3 (521)
High Rock LakeSandy beachManaged area

Designated sandy swimming area on High Rock Lake. Managed for safe family recrea...

Cashiers Sliding Rock in North Carolina

Cashiers Sliding Rock

Cashiers, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (331)
Natural slideSandy bottomFamily friendly

Natural rock slide located near Highlands, featuring a wide fall into a sandy-bo...

Charlotte Cove in North Carolina

Charlotte Cove

Lake Lure, North Carolina
Rating 5 (1)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Cheoah Point Beach in North Carolina

Cheoah Point Beach

Robbinsville, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (89)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Went fishin with my family and swimming and jus chill on a lazy Sunday.

Dam Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Dam Swimming Hole

Gerton, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (250)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Deerhorn Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Deerhorn Swimming Hole

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (28)
Mountain creekBouldersClear water

Local favorite mountain creek pool with clear water and large boulders near Brow...

Ebenezer Beach in North Carolina

Ebenezer Beach

New Hill, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (283)
Jordan LakeSandy beachGradual entry

Family-friendly sandy beach on Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. Features a ver...

Echo Lake in North Carolina

Echo Lake

West End, North Carolina
Rating 5 (2)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Elk River Falls in North Carolina

Elk River Falls

Elk Park, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (1212)
High volume waterfallDeep poolScenic cliffs

Dramatic 50-foot waterfall plunging into a massive, deep pool near the Tennessee...

Eno Quarry Trailhead in North Carolina

Eno Quarry Trailhead

Durham, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (220)
Deep clear waterFormer quarryHiking access

Deep and clear former rock quarry that has become a legendary swimming spot. Loc...

Eno River State Park in North Carolina

Eno River State Park

Durham, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (2632)
Eno RiverMultiple swim spotsState Park

Expansive state park near Durham and Hillsborough featuring various river swimmi...

Falls Lake State Recreation Area in North Carolina

Falls Lake State Recreation Area

Wake Forest, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (4461)
Falls LakeSandy beachesLifeguarded

Major recreation area near Raleigh featuring multiple sandy beaches such as Sand...

Firefly Cove in North Carolina

Firefly Cove

Lake Lure, North Carolina
Rating 5 (1)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Graveyard Fields in North Carolina

Graveyard Fields

Canton, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (1166)
Blue Ridge ParkwayMountain streamCold water

Scenic high-elevation valley on the Blue Ridge Parkway featuring several swimmin...

Hanging Rock State Park Lake Bathhouse in North Carolina

Hanging Rock State Park Lake Bathhouse

Danbury, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (61)
Hanging Rock State ParkLifeguardedStone bathhouse

Pristine mountain lake with an iconic stone bathhouse and lifeguarded swimming a...

Hooker Falls in North Carolina

Hooker Falls

Hendersonville, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (188)
Wide waterfallLarge swimming poolDuPont State Forest

Wide, low-profile waterfall in DuPont State Forest spilling into an expansive, c...

Hummingbird Cove in North Carolina

Hummingbird Cove

Lake Lure, North Carolina
Rating 5 (2)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Huntfish Falls in North Carolina

Huntfish Falls

Edgemont, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (102)
Deep swimming holeWilson Creek WildernessClear water

Stunning waterfall and deep swimming hole in the Wilson Creek area. Requires a m...

Jackrabbit Mountain Swim Area in North Carolina

Jackrabbit Mountain Swim Area

Hayesville, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (61)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Cute little swim spot roped off with picnic tables.

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in North Carolina

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area

Apex, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (2269)
Jordan LakeMajor reservoirMultiple beaches

Vast reservoir system offering numerous sandy beaches and public swimming access...

Lady on the Rock Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Lady on the Rock Swimming Hole

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 5 (1)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Lake James State Park in North Carolina

Lake James State Park

Nebo, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (2966)
Lake JamesLinville Gorge backdropDedicated swim area

High-quality reservoir at the base of the Linville Gorge, featuring a dedicated ...

Lake Lure Beach and Water Park in North Carolina

Lake Lure Beach and Water Park

Lake Lure, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (2033)
Sandy beachWater parkMountain views

Managed municipal beach on Lake Lure with roped-off swimming areas, sandy shore,...

Lake Powhatan Swimming Beach in North Carolina

Lake Powhatan Swimming Beach

Asheville, North Carolina
Rating 4.1 (67)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Really shallow, great for kids under ten, ok for tweens

Lake Sequoia in North Carolina

Lake Sequoia

West End, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (6)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Lake Summit Dam in North Carolina

Lake Summit Dam

Zirconia, North Carolina
Rating 4.1 (12)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Lanier Falls in North Carolina

Lanier Falls

Lillington, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (90)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

It is a water rapid and you can barely see it from the trail.

Longleaf Lake in North Carolina

Longleaf Lake

West End, North Carolina
Rating 4 (7)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Looking Glass Falls in North Carolina

Looking Glass Falls

Brevard, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (4090)
Iconic waterfallRoadside accessSwimming area

One of the most iconic waterfalls in North Carolina, located directly off US-276...

Lost Boys’ Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Lost Boys’ Swimming Hole

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 0 (0)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Lower Cascade Falls in North Carolina

Lower Cascade Falls

Danbury, North Carolina
Rating 4.9 (154)
Hanging Rock State ParkWaterfallRocky pool

Tucked-away waterfall in Hanging Rock State Park with a small, rocky pool at the...

Moore Cove Falls in North Carolina

Moore Cove Falls

Brevard, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (291)
Walk-behind waterfallFamily friendlyEasy hike

Gentle 50-foot waterfall in Pisgah National Forest where visitors can walk direc...

Old Swimming Hole in North Carolina

Old Swimming Hole

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 4.3 (64)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

To bad it says no swimming but very nice place to relax

Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina

Pisgah National Forest

Brevard, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (14309)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

There are also swimming holes to cool off after your hike.

Quarry Falls in North Carolina

Quarry Falls

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (741)
Natural rock slideDeep poolRoadside access

Highly accessible roadside waterfall known locally as 'Bust Your Butt Falls'. Fe...

Riverpark at Cooleemee Falls: The Bullhole in North Carolina

Riverpark at Cooleemee Falls: The Bullhole

Cooleemee, North Carolina
Rating 4.3 (292)
The BullholeRock damRiver swimming

Known fondly as 'The Bullhole', this scenic river park on the South Yadkin River...

Roadie River Rocks in North Carolina

Roadie River Rocks

Taylorsville, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (3)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Small waterfall right off the side of the road.

Rock Crest Cove in North Carolina

Rock Crest Cove

Lake Lure, North Carolina
Rating 0 (0)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Rolling View Swimming Access in North Carolina

Rolling View Swimming Access

Durham, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (90)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

This was a great swimming hole .

Sandling Beach Recreation Area in North Carolina

Sandling Beach Recreation Area

Wake Forest, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (578)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Plenty of people plenty of swimming, protected by buoys.

Seaforth Beach in North Carolina

Seaforth Beach

Pittsboro, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (901)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Secret Falls Trail Head in North Carolina

Secret Falls Trail Head

Highlands, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (175)
Highlands areaSecluded waterfallDeep plunge pool

Magical hidden waterfall near Highlands with a serene, semi-deep pool at the bot...

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Sennett's Hole

Durham, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (157)
Eno RiverShadedRiver swimming

Deep, calm river pool on the Eno River, offering a shaded and popular local swim...

Shattalon Lake in North Carolina

Shattalon Lake

Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (13)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Shelley Lake in North Carolina

Shelley Lake

Raleigh, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (97)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Beautiful scenery, extremely well kept, safe environment

Silver Run Falls Trailhead in North Carolina

Silver Run Falls Trailhead

Cashiers, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (671)
Sandy bottomFamily friendlySwimming hole

Short trail to a small falls with a nice swimming hole !

Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead in North Carolina

Skinny Dip Falls Trailhead

Canton, North Carolina
Rating 4.7 (793)
Multi-tiered waterfallRock ledgesClear mountain pools

Popular multi-tiered waterfall and series of clear mountain pools accessible via...

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Sliding Rock

Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (2100)
LifeguardRestroomsFamily Friendly

A 60-foot natural water slide ending in an 8-foot deep pool. Extremely popular i...

Sunburst Falls in North Carolina

Sunburst Falls

Canton, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (177)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

There’s a family friendly swimming hole underneath the bridge itself.

Sunburst Rocks in North Carolina

Sunburst Rocks

Canton, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (61)
Clear waterRiver poolsPigeon River

Scenic rocky pools on the East Fork of the Pigeon River featuring clear mountain...

The Swimming Hole in North Carolina

The Swimming Hole

Cullowhee, North Carolina
Rating 4.5 (25)
Swimming HoleFreshwaterNorth Carolina

Local North Carolina swimming spot featuring freshwater recreation. Google Maps ...

Turtleback Falls in North Carolina

Turtleback Falls

Sapphire, North Carolina
Rating 4.9 (397)
Natural rock slideWaterfallGorges State Park

Thrilling natural rock slide on the Horsepasture River in Gorges State Park. It ...

Upper Creek Falls in North Carolina

Upper Creek Falls

Morganton, North Carolina
Rating 4.8 (380)
Natural rock slidesHiking requiredSteep access

Exciting swimming hole featuring multiple natural rock slides and a deep plunge ...

Water Street Dan River Access in North Carolina

Water Street Dan River Access

Madison, North Carolina
Rating 4.6 (24)
Dan RiverTubing accessWading area

Convenient access point for the Dan River in Madison, popular for tubing and coo...

White Lake in North Carolina

White Lake

White Lake, North Carolina
Rating 4.4 (24)
Spring-fed lakeCrystal clear waterWhite sand bottom

Unique spring-fed natural lake with crystal clear water and a white sandy bottom...

Worthville Beach in North Carolina

Worthville Beach

Randleman, North Carolina
Rating 4 (158)
Deep RiverLocal favoriteRiver beach

Local beach spot on the Deep River in Randleman. While historically a popular sw...