Locations to swim, kayak and funky off round Charlotte

Nothing says summer quite like going for a swim, and warm weather in Charlotte means those days are near (or here!). But if you don’t have pool access, you might not know where to start.

That’s why we’ve created this guide with all of the places in the Charlotte area that have public swimming and water sports access. Local options include creeks, lakes and even a quarry.

Lake Norman public swimming and water sports

Location: 759 State Park Rd, Troutman, NC 28166

Cost: $6 per adult and $4 per child 12 and under for swim passes; Boat launches are $7, and rentals start at $10/hour

Enjoy paddling, fishing and open swim at Lake Norman State Park. Lake Norman is the largest manmade lake in all of North Carolina, with the state park covering about 17 miles of its shoreline, giving you plenty of space to swim and participate in watersports this summer. The day-use amenities are open daily starting at 7 a.m., with boat rentals ending at 3 p.m.

Location: 6345 Sample Road, Huntersville, NC 28078

Cost: Free

While posted signs state there is no swimming at Latta Nature Preserve, you can fish or launch a kayak there. The nature preserve is also a haven for bird lovers, as it’s home to the Carolina Raptor Center (where admission for adults is $16, students 13-22 are $14 and kids 3-12 are $12).

Location: 18441 Nantz Rd, Cornelius, NC 28031

Cost: When operations resume, it’s $5 per car on weekdays or $10 per car on weekends for county residents; $10 per car on weekdays or $15 per car on weekends for non-county residents

Stick your toes in the sand at Ramsey Creek Beach. Located along Lake Norman area, this 46-acre park has a swimming area, playground, picnic shelters, nature trails and a volleyball court, so the whole family will be entertained all day.

Lake Wylie public swimming and water sports

Location: 4490 Boat Shore Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Cost: $3 for adult (17+) county residents, $5 for adult (17+) non-county residents. $1 for child (6-16) county residents, $2 for adult (6-16) non-county residents. Children 5 and under are free for residents, $1 for non-residents.

Ebenezer Park is typically a great option for public swimming and water sports in the Charlotte area. Expect to find a swimming area, kayak and canoe launch pad and a semicircular fishing pier.

Location: 15222 York Rd, Charlotte, NC 28278

Cost: Guided kayak tours are $20 for residents, $24 for non-residents; guided paddle board tours are $25 for residents, $30 for non-residents.

You can access Lake Wylie through the McDowell Nature Preserve. Launch your canoe, kayak or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck. Or you can sign up for a guided watersports program, where kayaks or paddle boards are provided and an experienced instructor leads you through the water.

Location: 4037 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732

Cost: Free

Nestled in a quiet corner of Lake Wylie sits Rock Hill Lake Park, a 21-acre park with free public access. Not only does Rock Hill Lake Park feature a swim and beach area, but there are also five fishing stations and a kayak/canoe launch point. This park is an ideal place to bring lunch and spend a lowkey summer day.

Location: 8999 Windjammer Dr, Tega Cay, SC 29708

Cost: Free for Tega Cay residents; $200 parking permit per calendar year for non-residents

Windjammer Park on Lake Wylie features a beach and swimming area, as well as a covered picnic area, restrooms and a playground. Plus, if you visit on the right day, you might even catch the award-winning Carolina Show Ski Team, which puts on free water ski shows for visitors of the park.

It’s important to note that to park at Windjammer Park you must have a parking permit displayed on your vehicle, which you can obtain from City Hall. If you’re a resident of Tega Cay the parking permit is free. If you’re not a resident, the parking permit costs $200 for the calendar year.

Catawba River public swimming and water sports

Location: 2541 New Gray Rock Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29708 to 998 Riverwalk Parkway, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Cost: Free

Tubing, kayaking, or boating down the Catawba River makes for a fun-filled summer day in the Charlotte area. Plan ahead, as you’ll need to take two cars for this water adventure. Park one car at Riverwalk Carolinas, then take another to the Lake Wylie dam access point. From the dam, hop in your tube or boat and head down the river until you reach your second vehicle at Riverwalk Carolinas and can drive back to your starting point. The experience takes about 3.5 hours in total, depending on the river that day.

Location: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214

Cost: $79 per person for an all-access day pass; single-activity cost passes vary

Adventurous families will love spending the day at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. While swimming isn’t available, adrenaline-inducing water activities are plentiful. Whitewater rafting and whitewater kayaking are available on the man made whitewater river, which is the largest in the world. Flatwater kayaking and stand up paddleboarding are available on the open waters of the Catawba River and Long Creek. Plus, you can deep water solo climb into a pool at the facility.

The Whitewater Center is open year round, with activities changing based on season. Be sure to check its website to see what’s available and reserve your spot ahead of time before heading out.

Additional public swimming and water sport spots

Location: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715

Cost: $17 for adults and $8 youth (ages 3-12) for nonmembers; $16 per person for a two-hour kayak rental; 20% off for members

Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre natural preserve located in Fort Mill, SC. Among activities like hiking, horseback riding and biking, you’ll also find water sports open to the public that take place on the reserve’s Lake Haigler.

You can rent kayak and paddleboard on the lake on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in season. Advanced reservations are required and can be made in two-hour increments. Swimming is not permitted in the lake, but you can fish there with a South Carolina license.

Location: 5213 Harkey Rd, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Cost: Cane Creek Park reopens on Wednesday, June 10, after Duke Energy line work. There’s a $4 entrance fee per vehicle, plus $2 per person for swimming and pedal boat rentals, and $10 per person per hour for jon boat, kayak and canoe rentals

Cane Creek Park surrounds a massive 350-acre lake that is open to the public for activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, jon and pedal boating, and swimming.

Enjoy these activities with the whole family from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. Plus, there are shelters and picnic areas available to rent for events, making Cane Creek Park the perfect place to spend a special summer day.

Location: 1213 Oakridge Farm Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28115

Cost: $5 deposit online plus $25-30 per person, depending on the day (cash only)

Swim in a natural quarry at Carrigan Farms this summer. Open swim runs June through September, and you can make your reservation online with a $5 deposit per person, then pay the rest in cash when you arrive.

Once at the quarry, jump, swing and float into the open water until you work up an appetite. Then, stop by the snack stand for hamburgers, pizza, ice cream and more. Beer and wine are available for purchase, too. Life jackets are required for all guests unless a swim test is completed, and each guest is required to sign a waiver prior to swimming.

Editor’s note: This story originally published in 2024 and has been updated. Heidi Finley and Melissa Oyler contributed.

Uniquely Charlotte: Uniquely Charlotte is an Observer subscriber collection of moments, landmarks and personalities that define the uniqueness (and pride) of why we live in the Charlotte region.