Public swim beach26 miLake Norman
Lake Norman State Park, Lake Norman of Catawba
Lake Norman State Park provides a public swim beach on Lake Norman, with seasonal swimming and required swim passes.
Swimming holes in North Carolina
14 places to swim in North Carolina, each checked for public access. Open a spot for its season, booking rules and how to get there.
14 spots listed8 waterfall pools4 lakes and tarns2 rivers1 need a booking in season
14 spots in North Carolina
Public swim beach26 mi
Swimming permitted52 miBig Bear Falls
South Mountains State Park, Morganton
Big Bear Falls is a waterfall with several deep pools on a trail in South Mountains State Park.
Lower pool only62 miMoravian Falls
Moravian Falls Campground, Wilkesboro
A waterfall on Moravian Creek with a lower plunge pool on private campground land.
Seasonal public swimming67 miLake James
Lake James State Park, Glen Alpine
Lake James State Park offers public swimming at its seasonal Paddy’s Creek swim beach.
Seasonal public swimming69 miPaddy's Creek swimming area
Lake James State Park, Marion
Lake James State Park provides a seasonal public swim beach at Paddy’s Creek.
Swimming allowed101 miHooker Falls
DuPont State Recreational Forest, Brevard
Hooker Falls is a popular summer swimming area on the Little River in DuPont State Recreational Forest.
Public swimming108 miJordan Lake
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, Pittsboro
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has public lake swim beaches at several access areas.
Open to swim109 miLooking Glass Falls
Looking Glass Falls Scenic Area, Brevard
Public waterfall in Pisgah National Forest with a viewing deck, stairs to the creek and swimming listed as a water activity.
Public swimming allowed110 miSliding Rock
Pisgah National Forest, Brevard
Natural waterslide and swimming pool in Pisgah National Forest near Brevard.
Swimming at own risk120 miRainbow Falls
Gorges State Park, Highlands
Rainbow Falls is a waterfall on the Horsepasture River reached by trail from Gorges State Park.
Swimming allowed126 miSilver Run Falls
Nantahala National Forest, Highlands
Silver Run Falls is a 25-foot waterfall flowing into a broad pool with a sandy beach.
Warm-weather swimming137 miQuarry Falls
Nantahala National Forest, Highlands
A small waterfall beside US 64 with a large, deep pool that is popular for swimming during warm weather.
Seasonal public swimming167 miCliffs of the Neuse Swim Lake
Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, La Grange
An 11-acre spring-fed lake at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park has a seasonal public swim beach.
Public seasonal swimming222 miGoose Creek State Park swim beach
Goose Creek State Park, Beaufort
Designated swimming beach on the Pamlico River at Goose Creek State Park.