Make a Splash!
Make a Splash! : Cool off at some of our favorite swimming holes
While Western North Carolina’s climate is considered to be mild year-round, the temperature can still feel sweltering in the heat of the summer. Want to take the plunge this summer to beat the heat? Here are our top spots to stay cool, and have fun.
DEEP CREEK / Swain County
Offering swimming, tubing, and rafting, Deep Creek is a perfect option for those who want to explore as much of the water as possible. At its highest point, Deep Creek offers class IV rapids that gradually descend in difficulty downstream, ending at a calm swimming hole, so you can decide where to enter depending on the level of adventure you’re craving. nps.gov
PADDY’S CREEK AT THE BEACH AT LAKE JAMES / Burke & McDowell Counties
Looking for a coastal vacation in the mountains? Check out Paddy’s Creek, a sandy beach along Lake James that offers plenty of shoreline (150 miles worth!) for a refreshing plunge in the water. Other ways to cool off at the creek include fishing, kayaking and canoeing (rentals available), and boating. ncparks.gov
MIDNIGHT HOLE / Haywood County
Hidden within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Midnight Hole’s natural beauty is a prize waiting at the end of a mild, one-and-a-half-mile hike. The water stays cold year-round, and in the summer, you’ll find it surrounded by brilliant wildflowers. Thrill-seekers are welcome—although the water looks shallow at first, Midnight Hole hides deeper waters perfect for jumps off the boulders that decorate the site. nps.gov
BEAR CREEK LAKE / Jackson County
Hidden within Sylva and Cashiers, Bear Lake, as it’s known among the locals, is privately owned and stunningly peaceful. Bear Lake was created in the ’50s by Nantahala Power & Light Co., and is one of four lakes that comprise the East Fork Lakes of the Tuckasegee River. Enjoy deep waters, boating and fishing access, and a secluded feel. discoverjacksonnc.com
BUST YOUR BUTT FALLS / Macon County
At one special spot along the Cullasaja River, a natural waterslide formed, creating Bust Your Butt Falls, also known as Quarry Falls. When the water level is low, feel free to take a ride down the falls, with or without an inner tube depending on your bravery, but stay in the pool below after a heavy rainfall as higher water levels make sliding down unsafe. highlandschamber.org