Must-do water activities before the end of the summer in and near Charlotte
Yes, we saw this coming — summer is coming to an end, and students are heading back to school. What better way to end the summer than to experience a few outdoor water activities near Charlotte?
With tubing, rafting and even scuba diving to choose from, several spots hold promise for a last summer hoorah.(Yes, you can go to the Whitewater Center or the infamous swimming hole at Carrigan Farms, but this guide is meant to expand your horizons into places you never realized were there. It’s also fun to try something new every once in a while.
Here’s your ultimate guide to fun water outdoor activities that are nearby or just a day trip from Charlotte.
DIY tubing at Lake Wylie dam
Location: 2541 New Gray Rock Rd, Fort Mill, SC 29708
Distance from Charlotte: 20.2 miles
Bring your own tubes and set out on a tubing adventure at the Lake Wylie dam, which is a short drive from Charlotte. Park one vehicle at Riverwalk in Rock Hill, then head for the dam in a second vehicle. Spend 3 ½ hours just relaxing and floating through along the Catawba River, heading toward the Riverwalk in Rock Hill.
Pro tips: Bring sunscreen and rope so you don’t lose each other during the trip.
Learn to scuba dive at Lake Norman Scuba
Location: 482 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
Distance from Charlotte: 26.9 miles
Want to take a daring scuba adventure? Head to Lake Norman Scuba, which offers beginner classes and dive trips. Lake Norman Scuba also offers a stocked retail store for fellow divemasters with as airfills, equipment rentals and more.
Bonus: You can also do classes like paddle board yoga and beginner paddle boarding at nearby Lake Norman Community Sailing Center at Blythe Landing if you’re looking for new ways to exercise.
Have a laidback tubing adventure at Appalachian Tubing
Location: 1864 Old US 421 S Suite D, Boone, NC 28607
Distance from Charlotte: 113 miles
Just a two-hour drive from Charlotte, head to Appalachian tubing located in the small mountain town of Boone. This student-run outfitter offers a private tubing experience for friends and family, awhile also providing you transportation to and from the river.
Grab a cooler and take on this relaxing adventure that will make you feel like you’re on a lazy river.
Swim through Little Bradley Falls
Location: Holbert Cove Rd, Saluda, NC 28773
Distance from Charlotte: 95 miles
If you’re looking for a day trip to a scenic waterfall, look no further. This hike takes you through a shaded forest next to a stream, featuring old ruins and a stunning 50 foot waterfall. Take a refreshing swim after the hike or just admire the waterfall from afar.
Disclaimer: There are several creek crossings along the way, so bring water shoes or be ready to take off your regular shoes.
Go rafting with Green Water Adventures
Location: 9601 Capital Blvd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Distance from Charlotte: 173 miles
For more than 10 years, Green River Adventures has been giving folks an unforgettable outdoor experience. This adventure site has guided whitewater trips, kayak instruction, stand-up paddleboarding and even a unique waterfall rappelling program.
Book a trip online and create a fun water adventure.
Challenge yourself at Fantasy Lake Adventure Park
Location: 3601 Quarry Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587
Distance from Charlotte: 180 miles
Fantasy Lake Adventure Park is not your ordinary “waterpark.” As the largest scuba diving park on the East Coast, Fantasy Lake offers a wide variety of scuba-diving recreational activities with scenic views.
This 100-acre natural environment promotes an enjoyable and refreshing experience. Fantasy Lake Adventure Park also offers campsites, all located within easy access to lake diving.
This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 6:30 AM.
