12 Hidden Swimming Holes in North Carolina For a Peaceful, Cooling Dip

Hidden Swimming Holes in North Carolina

While North Carolina’s famous beaches like the Outer Banks, Wrightsville Beach, and Carolina Beach draw tourists by the thousands, the state hides plenty of freshwater gems off the beaten path.

From mountain waterfalls to clear quarries, here’s where to find the best secret swimming spots across the state when you need a break from the saltwater scene.

Secret Falls (Highlands)

Hidden in Nantahala National Forest, this 50-foot waterfall pours into a perfect swimming pool with its own sandy beach. Though it’s now officially part of the Forest Service trail system as Big Shoals Trail #402, most tourists don’t know about it since there aren’t any signs pointing the way.
The half-mile hike keeps casual swimmers away, so you’ll often have the place mostly to yourself. You’ll need to cross two small creeks before reaching the falls. Locals love this spot for the crystal-clear mountain water and the picture-perfect setting.

• Address: Secret Falls Trail Head, Big Creek Rd, Highlands, NC 28741
• Fees: Free
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
• Directions:From downtown Highlands, go east on Main Street (becomes Horse Cove Road). After 3.7 miles, turn right onto unpaved Walkingstick Road.

Midnight Hole (Great Smoky Mountains)

This deep, emerald pool sits at the base of a 6-foot waterfall after a 1.5-mile hike along Big Creek Trail. The water gets its name from how sunlight filters through the trees, giving it a dark blue look even during the day.

Large boulders surround the swimming area, making perfect spots to lay out and dry off after a swim. The water stays cold all summer, fed by mountain springs. If you hike just a bit further, you’ll find Mouse Creek Falls, a 45-foot cascade just upstream.

• Address: Big Creek Area, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Fees: Free
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
• Note: As of January 2025, this area is closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

Bust Your Butt Falls (Highlands)

The name tells you what might happen here, but this spot on the Cullasaja River is worth the risk. Located along US Highway 64 in Nantahala National Forest, this 20-foot cascade works as a natural water slide dropping into a deep, cool pool.

The swimming area has different depths, so both waders and divers can enjoy it. Large flat rocks around the pool make great places to sit and eat lunch. The bright blue-green water looks almost tropical despite being fed by mountain streams.

• Address: Bust Your Butt Falls, Cullasaja River, Highlands, North Carolina
• Fees: Free
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily
• Directions: From downtown Highlands, drive about 6 miles on U.S. 64 West and pull over. You can see the river from the road.

Skinny Dip Falls (Blue Ridge Parkway)

Despite the name, you need to wear swimwear here. This series of small waterfalls creates several different swimming spots, including jumping platforms and calm pools. You’ll find it just off Blue Ridge Parkway at mile marker 417.

The main swimming hole is about 6 feet deep, surrounded by smooth rocks perfect for sitting. The moderate half-mile hike from Looking Glass Rock Overlook helps keep the crowds down. The water stays cold all summer since it comes straight from mountain springs.

• Address: Mile Marker 417, Blue Ridge Parkway 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily 
• Note:This swimming hole was badly damaged by flooding during Tropical Storm Fred in 2021 and isn’t the same as it once was.

Lower Cascade Falls (Hanging Rock State Park)

You only need to walk about half a mile to reach this beautiful 35-foot waterfall with a perfect swimming pool below. A massive rock bluff towers overhead while thick forest surrounds the water, keeping it cool even on hot days.

The pool has a gentle slope, making it good for families with kids. Large rock slabs around the water give you places to sit and have a snack. Even if you don’t swim, the spray from the falls creates a natural air conditioning effect on hot days.

• Address: 1790 Hanging Rock Park Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 
• Fees: Park entrance fee applies 
• Hours: 7 AM to sunset daily 
• Phone: 336-593-8480

Upper Creek Falls (Pisgah National Forest)

This waterfall has multiple levels, giving you different swimming options from gentle pools to natural water slides. Located on NC Highway 181 north of Morganton, it’s less crowded than other Pisgah spots but just as beautiful.

The top section has a calm pool perfect for relaxing, while lower parts offer more excitement. Centuries of water flow have shaped smooth rock faces into natural slides. There’s even a rope swing for the adventurous swimmers who want to dive in.

• Address: 3921 NC-181, Morganton, NC 28655 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily 
• Facilities: Small parking area, no bathrooms

Schoolhouse Falls (Panthertown Valley)

Named after a small school that once stood nearby, this 20-foot waterfall creates a swimming hole unlike any other. The pool has a sandy beach on one side and clear, shallow water.

One of the coolest features is that you can actually walk behind the falls for a unique view. The hike through Panthertown Valley (nicknamed the “Yosemite of the East”) keeps away casual visitors. Flat rocks by the water make perfect spots to sit after swimming.

• Address: Cold Mountain Road, Sapphire, NC 28774 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily 
• Tip: Trails in this area can be confusing, so bring a map of Panthertown Valley.

Eno Quarry (Eno River State Park)

What was once a rock quarry is now a deep blue swimming hole ringed by forest and cliffs. It’s just under a mile from the Cabe Lands Trailhead to reach this spot where water depths range from 25 to 60 feet.

The quarry’s sheltered location helps keep water temperatures comfortable. High rock walls circle much of the water, creating a dramatic backdrop for swimming. Though it’s close to Durham, you’ll feel like you’re miles from civilization once you’re in the water.

• Address: 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Park hours (8 AM to sunset) 
• Warning: Only strong swimmers should use this quarry. There are no shallow areas, banks are steep, and trails get slippery when wet.

Little Bradley Falls (Saluda)

A series of smaller waterfalls lead to this main 50-foot cascade with a deep, clear pool below. The nearly two-mile round trip hike is relatively easy but includes crossing the creek several times, which keeps casual swimmers away.

The area around the falls looks like something from a fairy tale, with moss-covered rocks and thick greenery. The trail follows Bradley Creek through beautiful forest filled with wildflowers and hardwood trees. Most days you’ll have plenty of space to yourself.

• Address: Little Bradley Falls Trail, Saluda, NC 28773 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily 
• Tip: Bring water shoes for creek crossings during the hike

Hunt-Fish Falls (Wilson Creek Area)

This swimming hole sits where Grandfather Mountain’s runoff creates numerous waterfalls in rugged terrain. You’ll hike about three-quarters of a mile from parking on Forest Service Road 464 to reach the pool.

The water here is seriously cold, even on the hottest summer days. Dive down a few feet for a truly chilling experience. Several cascades create different swimming spots with varying depths and currents. Large flat rocks around the pool give you perfect places to warm up in the sun afterward.

• Address: Old Jonas Ridge Rd, Collettsville, NC 28611 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Dawn to dusk daily 
• Tip: The big rock slab near the pool gets good sun exposure, helping you dry off quickly after swimming.

Bobbitt Hole (Eno River State Park)

A gentle bend in the Eno River forms this clear, deep swimming spot that locals from Raleigh and Durham love. Park at the Cole Mill entrance and follow the Bobbitt Hole Trail to the Cole Mill Trail for an easy 2.5-mile loop with the swimming hole in the middle.

The area has a sandy entry point where the water starts shallow before getting deeper. Tall sycamore trees provide shade around parts of the river. The flat terrain makes this one of the most accessible swimming holes for families or people with mobility issues.

• Address: 6101 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705 
• Fees: Free 
• Hours: Park hours (8 AM to sunset) 
• Facilities: Bathrooms at the main parking area