Eno River Swimming Spots (Bobbit Hole, Sennett Hole, etc.)
A network of shaded, rocky swimming holes along the 40-mile Eno River flowing through Durham, Hillsborough, and Chapel Hill —
Piedmont
New Hope Creek
A quieter, shaded creek popular with Duke/UNC-area locals for a quick dip, with some sections bordered by private land —
Falls Lake State Recreation Area (beach)
The most convenient and safest swim option near Raleigh/Durham — a state-managed beach on a 12,000-acre reservoir with lifeguards and
Bullhole (South Fork Catawba River)
A scenic bedrock swimming hole on the South Fork Catawba River near Cherryville, popular with the Charlotte/Raleigh crowd on longer
Elk Shoals (Catawba River)
A rewarding river swimming spot on the Catawba River near Maiden, reachable without any hiking.
Little Uwharrie River
Sandy-bottomed pools in the Uwharrie National Forest offering a peaceful, less-crowded alternative to busier Triangle-area swimming holes.