White Lake
One of North Carolina’s most popular natural lake beach destinations, known for unusually clear, shallow, warm water — the go-to
Swimming Holes
Green Springs Water Park (Neuse River)
A private recreation park on the Neuse River near New Bern offering swimming, zip lines, and rope swings — a
Goose Creek State Park (Pamlico River beach)
A river beach on the Pamlico River within this coastal state park, a rare true ‘swimming hole’-style option in the
Little Uwharrie River
Sandy-bottomed pools in the Uwharrie National Forest offering a peaceful, less-crowded alternative to busier Triangle-area swimming holes.
Elk Shoals (Catawba River)
A rewarding river swimming spot on the Catawba River near Maiden, reachable without any hiking.
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
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
New Hope Creek
A quieter, shaded creek popular with Duke/UNC-area locals for a quick dip, with some sections bordered by private land —
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 —
South Mountains State Park (Jacob Fork River / High Shoals Falls)
Jacob Fork River tumbles through a rugged gorge creating a series of swimming holes, capped by the dramatic 80-foot High