Inside: If you’re looking for fun places to swim and splash in Charlotte, North Carolina, we have a list of over 35 places to check out this summer.
Are you looking for places to cool off and do a little swimming? Charlotte, NC is full of places to go swim and splash. So, when you’re ready to pack up the kids for a summer water adventure, whether you’re looking for lakes near Charlotte, NC with beaches, swimming pools, or indoor places to swim, this is the list you want. We piled it full of places to swim in Charlotte.
We have all the details on entry fees, and other amenities on site like playgrounds, picnic spaces, fishing and lots of other fun things to do. Plan your day and get swimming!
Want to tell us about our favorite summer place to swim? Head over to our Kidding Around Charlotte Community page and send us a message!
Swimming Lakes Near Charlotte, NC (+ Swimming Holes Near Charlotte, NC)
When you want to spend the day beside the water, a lake is a great place to visit. It doesn’t get much more classic summer fun than a day spent jumping into the lake. There are quite a few lakes in Charlotte, NC where you can make it happen! Many of these lakes also offer a boat launch, fishing pier, and other amenities, but all of them allow swimming!
Cane Creek Park
Cane Creek Park offers swimming in summer, plus pedal boat rentals, miniature golf, kayaking, fishing, playgrounds, picnic areas, and hiking.
Address: 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw
Cane Creek Park Website
Ramsey Creek Beach
Mecklenburg County’s Ramsey Creek Beach is located on Lake Norman at Ramsey Creek Park. There is a sandy beach at this park, which opens on Memorial Day each year. There is a lifeguard on duty. The park always has a place to launch boats, plus a playground, nature trails, and picnic areas. You can even kick up a little sand on the volleyball court.
Cost: $10-15 per car, or $3-5 per walk-in
Address: 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, NC
Ramsey Creek Beach Website
Rock Hill Lake Park
Rock Hill Lake Park offers a swimming area with a small sandy beach area. There are no lifeguards on duty. The park also has a kayak launch, fishing, trails, and restrooms.
Cost: Free
Address: 4037 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC
Rock Hill Lake Park Website
Ebeneezer Park Beach
Swim in Lake Wylie at Ebeneezer Park Beach. This park is now open as of May 12th! They are open daily from 7 am to 9 pm.
Cost: $6 for non-residents (age 17+), $4 for non-residents (age 6-16)
Address: 4490 Boatshore Road, Rock Hill, SC
Ebeneezer Park Beach Website
Windjammer Park
Tega Cay’s Windjammer Park offers swimming in Lake Wylie. There’s also playground equipment in several places in the park, picnic areas, and fishing. Restrooms and a pavilion are available in the park.
Cost: Parking permits are required to access Windjammer Park. These are free for residents, but cost $100 annually for non-residents.
Address: 8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, SC
Windjammer Park Website
Carrigan Farms
Swim in the quarry at Carrigan Farms, it’s one of the coolest spots around and we visited it! You can see our full review of Carrigan Farms for all the details. Swing into the water on a rope, enjoy the sandy beach, play some sand volleyball, have a picnic and lots more! You need to reserve a spot online!
Opening for the season on May 17th!
Cost: Varies by timeslot- $25-35 per person
Address: 1261 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville NC
Carrigan Farms Website- Swimming
SouthTown Wake Park
Located in Rock Hill, SC, SouthTown Wake Park has wake boarding plus a big floating obstacle course. This is a great activity to tire those kids (and adults) out, as it takes a ton of energy to climb and jump over the obstacles. Kids have to be 7 years old to participate on the aqua course.
Cost: $18 for 45 minutes
Address: 255 E Rambo Rd Rock Hill, SC 29730
Kidding Around Review of SouthTown Wake Park
Get an aerial view of the aqua park in this video.
Black Bear Falls at South Mountains State Park
Head to South Mountains State Park for this waterfall-fed swimming hole. You can even sit right under the waterfall.
Check it out! Our review of South Mountains State Park.
Lake Norman State Park
You can swim (and a whole lot more) at Lake Norman State Park. The park, as the name implies, is on Lake Norman where you can swim, fish, and paddle. The park also has hiking trails to enjoy, picnic areas and more. Lake Norman State Park is also a great place to put in a paddleboard or kayak to explore the northern part of Lake Norman.
Cost: There is no admission to enter Lake Norman State Park, however, swim passes are required to swim. They are $4 for kids ages 3-12 and $6 per person over age 12. Options for weekly and annual swim passes are available as well!
Address: 759 State Park Road, Troutman, NC
Lake Norman State Park Website
Want to go boating? Here’s how you can boat on Lake Norman with Freedom Boat Club.
Swimming Pools: Charlotte, NC
Looking for public pools in Charlotte, NC? Look no further. There are quite a few excellent options and we’ve got them all right here. You’ll find swimming lessons available at many of these public pools!
Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Swimming Pools: Indoor
Mecklenburg County maintains several aquatic centers and indoor pools.
Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec Pools Website
Pool entry fee prices vary based on county resident status, age, and location. The links to each location below will give you the specific fees to that pool.
Free Swim Lessons!
Registration varies by site but includes a lottery and on-site registration in advance.
Eastway Regional Recreation Center
3150 Eastway Park Drive, Charlotte
Marion Diehl Recreation Center and Indoor Pool
2219 Tyvola Road, Charlotte
Northern Regional Recreation Center
18121 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius
Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
800 E Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte
Ray’s Splash Planet
This indoor waterpark is part of the Mecklenburg Parks and Rec, through a partnership with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. It offers indoor water play with a 3 story slide, lazy river, water playground area and lap pool.
Cost: $8-$15 depending on age and county resident/non-resident status
Address: 215 North Sycamore Street, Charlotte
Ray’s Splash Planet Website
Outdoor Swimming Pools near Charlotte, NC
Cordelia Pool
Cordelia Pool opens Memorial Day. It has a large pool with a waterslide and is operated by Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec.
Cost: $2
Address: 2100 North Davidson Street, Charlotte
Cordelia Pool Website
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center
This outdoor aquatic center has a fun water slide, zero-depth entry pool, water play features, and more. Opens on Memorial Day and is operated by Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec.
Cost: $2
Address: 2014 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte
Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center Website
Lineberger Park
About 30 minutes from Charlotte, in Gastonia you’ll find Lineberger Park’s pool with waterslide and splash zone. It’s operated by the City of Gastonia. The park also has a separate free splash pad outside in addition to the pool area.
Cost: $4 per person (choice of early afternoon or late afternoon session)
Address: 632 East Garrison Boulevard, Gastonia
Lineberger Park
Erwin Center Park Pool
The city of Gastonia also operates a pool at Erwin Center Park.
Address: 913 North Pryor Street, Gastonia
Erwin Center Park Website
Water Park Charlotte, NC
When you’re craving some water slide action, nothing but a water park will do. Charlotte water parks include a couple of very popular, well-known, and well-loved options.
Carowinds
Our Kidding Around Review of Carowinds has lots of first-hand information on visiting Carowinds, including their 5-acre water park, Carolina Harbor. The water park includes two wave pools, slides, a lazy river, and several water playground areas.
Cost: Waterpark admission is part of the regular Carowinds ticket. See Carowinds ticket options here. They start at about $40.
Address: 14523 Carowinds Boulevard, Charlotte, NC
Carowinds- Carolina Harbor Website
Great Wolf Lodge
The well-known indoor waterpark Great Wolf Lodge has a location near Charlotte in Concord, NC. A stay in the lodge includes access to their indoor waterpark, or you have the option to purchase a day pass to enjoy the resort’s amenities.
Find out more about Great Wolf Lodge.
Splash Pads: Charlotte, NC
We have a huge list of 20 splash pads near Charlotte, NC. Enjoy some old-fashioned summer fun at one of these splash pads!
Many of them open on Memorial Day!
(Expect them to close on Labor Day)
Coastal Beaches
Sometimes there’s just no substitute for ocean air, waves, and sand. If that’s the case, you’re in luck. Find the closest coastal beaches to Charlotte, NC in our Charlotte Beaches Guide. It has 10 awesome beach options within just a few hours from Charlotte!
Let us know where you love to go Swimming Charlotte, NC!
You’ve been reading about places to cool off and do a little swimming near Charlotte. NC.
So, when you’re ready to pack up the kids for a summer water adventure, whether you’re looking for lakes near Charlotte, NC with beaches, swimming pools, or indoor places to swim, you’ve got a whole heap of places to go for fun!
Want more places to swim and splash? Head to Greenville, SC for lots and lots more options, including mountain beaches, pools, waterparks, splashpads, and more!!
And, we have even more options for swimming in Columbia, SC! These 30+ spots would make a great day trip from Charlotte.
Still looking for things to do? Here’s our huge guide to Things to Do in Charlotte, NC!
