My dog Pete loves to swim however he only gets to do it when we go to the beach. Are there any good/clean places around here that are good to take a dog swimming? Before you roll your eyes and say "yeah every lake around here", where are the best landings/beaches for these lakes and which ones are pet friendly.

On behalf of my Pete, thanks everyone.

9/1/2014 12:12:37 PM

Right now a lot of pools are closing up for the winter. A lot will host "dog days" on their last day since they just drain the whole thing and don't have to bother with the hair.

Call around and check, but since today is the last day for most pools, you'll need to check ASAP since tomorrow or this weekend will be the last chance.

Edit: Don't put your dog in Lake Crabtree though, that thing is disgusting. I'd opt for one of the water resevoirs like Jordan or Falls since they tend to keep them cleaner.
Beaver dam is a great lake since they don't allow motors on the water. I don't think the designated beach area allows dogs, but you can just skip down to a picnic area next to the lake and take the leash off.


[Edited on September 1, 2014 at 12:41 PM. Reason : ]

9/1/2014 12:37:43 PM

what about lake raleigh down there on centennial campus? i saw dogs swimming at the boat landing there when i used to fish it in a canoe.

9/1/2014 1:27:53 PM

I'm pretty positive you can let them go swim at Lake Raleigh on Centennial Campus, I see dogs there swimming all the time.

I'm pretty sure WRAL did a story about it not too long ago.

9/1/2014 2:37:54 PM

People take dogs to the Eno River a lot; there are several swimming holes. There's also a good one at the Three Rivers area (Eno, Flat, and forget the 3rd).

9/1/2014 8:34:08 PM

Shelly Lake, Falls Lake...Lake Johnson? Don't know if that last one is dirty or not.

9/1/2014 8:52:54 PM

I was going to say Falls Lake but someone caught ... and lost an alligator last week there

9/2/2014 11:20:25 AM

I didn't want to start a new thread, but does anyone know of any nearby swimming holes where either a dog or person could go swimming to cool off in the summer?

The examples below seem mostly near somewhat mountainous regions, so I'm not sure that there is anything within a day's drive of the triangle. It never hurts to ask, though.

Sliding Rock in Brevard, NC
Cummins Falls in Cookeville, TN
Bridal Veil Falls in Tallulah Falls, GA
Roaring Run Falls in Eagle Rock, VA
Little River Canyon in Mentone, AL

6/26/2015 6:23:05 PM

These areas that I have fished before, and since I'm a terrible angler, I ultimately end up taking a swim when the weather gets like it is now.


Eno River State Park - Bobbit's Hole - Park on Old Cole Mill Road walk upstream from there for a mile? or so. If you look at google maps the hole is where the Eno has almost a 90* turn in it just west of old cole mill road

West point of the Eno Park Durham - google Sennet's Hole Trail in google maps for approximate location. I usually park near the Mill in the park and head upstream on any of the trails that run along the river. The dam at the mill backs the water up for .5-1 mile and Sennet Hole is basically right after the first riffle you come to. Lots of big rocks and feels like a mountain stream. Decent sized hole with a sketch looking rope swing (or there was one last year).

Falls Lake tailrace - just below Falls Dam. I go in at the canoe launch and fish upstream. Not even a 1/4 mile upstream there are some kinda smallish holes, that you could swim in if you just wanted to get wet

Anderson Point Park Raleigh/Neuse - I usually make my way to the confluence of crabtree creek and the neuse - not really a good swimming area since you are in the flow of the Neuse ( ie no holes) but you could take a dip and get your dog wet

Obviously these areas, being in rivers, can be pretty unsafe if river levels are high for whatever reason (rain, dam release, etc)


Other places I hope to check out soon

Hemlock Bluffs - I think swift creek may be too small for significant fishing or swimming

Raven Rock State park and Cliffs of the Neuse State state park could be good spots!

6/26/2015 7:11:06 PM

Just FYI, would not go swimming in Lake Crabtree, Crabtree Creek especially in Umstead State Park, or anywhere downstream of Crabtree Creek on Neuse River for several miles. In regards to Cliffs of Neuse, Id be hesitant there now too.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article10027130.html

Theres discussion right now but the contamination keeps moving downstream and getting higher anywhere below Lake Crabtree. Personally I doubt short of draining/digging up Lake Crabtree, and all of Crabtree Creek, they will ever fix it.

Raven Rock: went last year, its only a foot or so deep all over. No real swimming areas but you can def wade in. Plenty of people are out there with dogs and kids.

Cliffs: Ive never been swimming there but they have a designated swimming area. Ive seen people out wading all over and with dogs in the water.

^^ One thing off your list is Linville Gorge, below the falls. Its awesome to jump in and at least several feet deep in most areas. One of the coolest things I ever saw was a few years ago there. This group had climed up on this rock, which is probably 10+ feet high, and somehow gotten 2 big Labs up there with them. Dont jump off said rock, but would be a neat place to dry off on.



[Edited on June 26, 2015 at 10:35 PM. Reason : Places]

6/26/2015 10:29:02 PM

^^
^

Thanks!

6/27/2015 4:38:49 PM

brain eating amobea

7/12/2015 2:10:34 AM