Swimming Holes in North Carolina
95 natural swimming holes
North Carolina has 95 natural swimming holes in our directory — waterfalls, rivers, lakes scattered from the backcountry to roadside favorites. Favorites include Sliding Rock - Pisgah National Forest, Skinny Dip Falls - Pisgah National Forest, Hooker Falls - DuPont State Forest. Every listing includes location details, fees, reservation info, and safety notes where known. Conditions change with weather and seasons, so always verify before you go.
All North Carolina swimming holes
- Bust-Your-Butt Falls
- Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area
- Carrigan Farms Quarry
- Cashiers Sliding Rock
- Compression Falls
- Deep Creek - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Elk River Falls
- French Broad River - Hot Springs
- Graveyard Fields Lower Falls
- Graveyard Fields Upper Falls
- Green River Cove Tubing and Swimming
- Hanging Rock State Park Lake
- Hooker Falls - DuPont State Forest
- Hunt-Fish Falls - Wilson Creek
- Jonas Hole - Upper Creek Falls
- Lake James State Park Swim Beach
- Midnight Hole - Big Creek
- New River State Park
- Rainbow Falls - Gorges State Park
- Sennett's Hole - West Point on the Eno
- Silver Run Falls
- Skinny Dip Falls - Pisgah National Forest
- Sliding Rock - Pisgah National Forest
- Trash Can Falls - Laurel Creek
- Turtleback Falls - Gorges State Park
- Wilson Creek Gorge
- Winklers Creek Swimming Hole
- Badin Lake Recreation Area
- Belews Lake
- Boone Fork at Julian Price Park
- Bynum Beach
- Catawba Falls
- Cliffside Lake
- Courthouse Falls
- Crabtree Falls
- Curtis Creek
- Dan River - Hanging Rock
- Daniel Ridge Falls - Pisgah National Forest
- Davidson River - Pisgah National Forest
- East LaPorte River Access Park
- Ebenezer Church Recreation Area
- Eno Quarry - Eno River State Park
- Fawn Lake - DuPont State Forest
- Ferebee Memorial - Nantahala River
- Fires Creek Picnic Area
- Flanners Beach
- Fort Fisher State Recreation Area
- Fort Macon State Park
- French Broad River - Stackhouse
- Glen Falls
- Goose Creek State Park swim beach
- Harper Creek Falls
- High Shoals Falls
- Hiwassee River - Murphy
- Jackrabbit Mountain swim beach
- Jacobs Fork - South Mountains State Park
- Jones Lake State Park Swim Beach
- Jordan Lake - Seaforth Swim Beach
- Lake Julia - DuPont State Forest
- Lake Lure Swim Beach
- Lake Norman State Park swim beach
- Lake Powhatan Recreation Area
- Lake Waccamaw State Park
- Linville Falls
- Linville River - Linville Gorge Wilderness
- Little Bradley Falls
- Little Tennessee River - Needmore
- Looking Glass Falls
- Lumber River State Park - Princess Ann
- Mayo Beach (Anglin Mill Access)
- Mills River Recreation Area
- Mingo Falls
- Oconaluftee Islands Park
- Oconaluftee River - Smokemont
- Penny's Bend Nature Preserve
- Pilot Mountain State Park Yadkin River section
- Pine Cliff Recreation Area
- Pines Recreation Area swim beach
- Price Lake
- Ramsey Creek Park swim beach
- River Falls Park
- Rollingview Recreation Area
- Satterwhite Point
- Schoolhouse Falls
- Slick Rock Falls
- South Toe River at Black Mountain Campground
- Stone Mountain Falls
- Sunburst swim hole
- Tom's Creek Falls
- Tsali Recreation Area swim beach
- Tuckasegee River - Dillsboro
- Upper Creek Swimming Holes - Linville
- White Lake
- Widow's Creek Falls
- Wintergreen Falls
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of swimming holes does North Carolina have?
Our directory lists 95 swimming holes in North Carolina: 32 waterfalls, 30 rivers, and 22 lakes. Every listing shows its water type, location, fees, and safety notes so you can pick the right one.
When is the best time to visit swimming holes in North Carolina?
The most commonly listed season across our North Carolina spots is may-september (47 of 95 spots). Late spring through early fall is generally prime swimming season — spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high, so check local conditions.
Do North Carolina swimming holes require reservations?
Yes — 1 of the 95 North Carolina spots in our directory list a reservation requirement. Book those ahead, especially on summer weekends, and check the official park link on each listing before you go.
Are North Carolina swimming holes free?
Some are — 45 of the 95 North Carolina spots in our directory report free entry. State parks and popular preserves often charge a day-use or parking fee; each listing shows reported fee info where known.
Are natural swimming holes in North Carolina safe?
Natural water has real risks: no lifeguards, submerged rocks, strong currents, and cold water. Never dive headfirst, check depth, and supervise children closely. Spots with known hazards carry safety flags on their listing.