Cool Down North Carolina: 9 Cool Swimming Holes, Waterfalls and River Access Points
As summer sets in and the temperatures rise throughout the state, you might be looking for a natural way to cool down. Don’t worry, NC has you covered with a variety of crisp waterfalls, mountain lakes, rivers and beaches where you can take a deep to beat the heat. Consider it NC’s version of contrast therapy, that wellness trend that has people sitting in saunas and plunging in ice cold pools.
And every visit to one of NC’s watery escapes gives you the chance to preserve these very spaces we all love. Here are 10 spots where you can cool down on a hot summer day in the Tarheel State, along with some easy ways you can preserve the landscape while you’re soaking up summer.
As summer sets in and the temperatures rise throughout the state, you might be looking for a natural way to cool down. Don’t worry, NC has you covered with a variety of crisp waterfalls, mountain lakes, rivers and beaches where you can take a deep to beat the heat. Consider it NC’s version of contrast therapy, that wellness trend that has people sitting in saunas and plunging in ice cold pools.
And every visit to one of NC’s watery escapes gives you the chance to preserve these very spaces we all love. Here are 10 spots where you can cool down on a hot summer day in the Tarheel State, along with some easy ways you can preserve the landscape while you’re soaking up summer.
9 Cool Swimming Holes, Waterfalls and River Access Points
Midnight Hole
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Haywood County
Midnight Hole is a quintessential mountain swimming hole. Picture a small falls flanked by large, granite boulders that form a bowl around an impossibly deep (and cold) plunge pool. Daredevils will jump from various rocks while others prefer simply taking a dip below the falls. Bring a pair of goggles or a snorkel mask and look for fish and other aquatic creatures. Remember to Keep Wildlife Wild by maintaining your distance from any animals you find, even the cute salamanders that call these waters home.
Sliding Rock
location: Brevard
Waterslides are a summertime favorite, and they’re not only found inside developed water parks. Sliding Rock is a natural waterslide where a steady stream of cold, mountain water flows over a sloping granite slab just outside of downtown Brevard. Carefully sit at the top of the stream, and enjoy a 60-foot ride that ends in an eight-foot deep pool. The recreation area is managed by Pisgah National Forest, so there’s even a lifeguard on duty during summer.
Lake James State Park
Location: McDowell County
Who says you have to go to the ocean to enjoy the beach? Lake James State Park features a dedicated swimming beach on the shore of a 6,812-acre lake at the base of Linville Gorge. The beach is staffed with lifeguards and open through September, so you can safely take a dip in the cool mountain lake while gazing at the green ridges that rise from the water’s edge.
Bear Island
location: Onslow County
Bear Island is a four-mile long undeveloped barrier island outside of Swansboro offering a wide beach flanked by grassy dunes. Maybe the best part? You need a boat to get there, so crowds are minimal. Take the Hammocks Beach State Park’s passenger ferry and spend the day exploring the beach and frolicking in the waves. There are campsites on Bear Island, so if you choose to stay the night remember to Overnight Right by pitching your tent in designated sites only and adhering to local fire regulations, which will help minimize your impact on the island.
Carter Falls
Location: Elkin
An easy one-mile loop hiking trail outside of Elkin leads to Carter Falls, a beautiful 50-foot falls with a shallow pool at the bottom tucked into a thriving forest. Walk down to the sandy bank at the base of the falls and wade in below the tumbling whitewater. It’s a popular falls, so Be Considerate of Others and Share the Outdoors by giving other hikers space and keeping your conversation low enough to not disturb other parties. Being able to enjoy the natural sounds of the waterfall and the birds nesting in the canopy above will enhance everyone’s experience.
Haw River Paddle Trail
location: Alamance County
The Haw River runs for 40 miles through Alamance County, with 16 different access points available to paddlers. Depending on the section you choose, you’ll find everything from gentle paddling to exhilarating stretches of whitewater. Check out the 4.2-mile stretch that runs from Shallow Ford Natural Area to The Valley, which has seven class I rapids to keep things interesting. Paddling the Haw gives you a opportunity to preserve the habitat for local species. It’s tempting to stack or move rocks, but when you Leave It As You Find It, you keep the natural habitat of fish and salamanders intact.
Nantahala River
Location: Cherokee County
Need a bit of adrenaline this summer? The class III Nantahala River is one of the most popular whitewater experiences in the country. The Nantahala Outdoor Center runs multiple trips daily throughout the summer, guiding visitors through the class II and III wave trains and drops. Or, if you have whitewater experience, you can tackle the river in your own boat. Regardless, the water is crisp and there a few opportunities to take a dip while you’re rafting.
Lifeguard Beach
location: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Ocracoke Island
Ocracoke Island offers miles of shoreline to explore. The barrier island, accessible onlyby ferry or private boat,, the island features16 miles of pristine sand and dunes preserved as part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Lifeguard Beach is a popular spot to take a swim as there are restrooms, wheelchair-friendly beach access and of course, professional lifeguards on duty throughout summer. Help preserve this beach by Trashing Your Trash and carrying all of your wrappers, food scraps and sand toys off of the beach with you. Small actions like these help ensure Ocracoke’s beach stay clean and welcoming for wildlife and other visitors to enjoy.
Ararat River
Location: Mount Airy
Nothing says summer like slowly meandering down a river in a tube. The Ararat River, in Mount Airy, is ideal for tubing, with multiple put-ins throughout a 2.2-mile stretch between Riverside Park and Tharrington School Park. A paved greenway runs along the river within that stretch, allowing visitors to customize their trip length, and restroom facilities are available at the halfway point. Bring your own tubes and be mindful of accessing the river at designated access points when entering and exiting the river to care for the vegetation along the riverbanks.
Robertson Millpond Preserve
location: Raleigh
An 85-acre preserve that was opened to the public in 2015, the Robertson Millpond Preserve is the only bald cypress ecosystem in the greater Raleigh area, giving visitors to NC’s capital the chance to experience a pristine swamp close to the city. Bring your own canoe or stand-up paddle board and follow the marked1.15-mile trail through the quiet cypress swamp. Plan Ahead and Prepare by packing the right safety equipment, such as a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), bringing plenty of water and wearing layers that will protect you from the sun and elements. Being prepared helps ensure a safer experience while reducing impacts on this unique natural area.
Want to learn more ways to explore North Carolina’s natural world, from the High Country to the coast, while being a good steward of it?
Inside our Evergreen E-Newsletter you’ll find useful tips on how to responsibly enjoy all kinds of outdoor adventures, highlights from local guides, and recommendations on destinations to explore throughout North Carolina for adventurers of all abilities.
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