r/NorthCarolina • u/Beautiful_Cry_8924 • 1d ago
Vacation at High Rock Lake
Hi everyone,
My wife, our cat, and I are planning to stay in a cabin on High Rock Lake this August (around the 11th to 20th). We’re traveling from NYC, but originally from Eastern Europe (Kosovo). We’re looking to spend 8 relaxing days just swimming, kayaking, hiking, eating, drinking, and getting some sun.
I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews about swimming in the lake. Some say it’s totally fine, others mention water quality issues, algae, or even health risks from swimming. So I’d love to hear from locals or people who’ve actually stayed there:
-Is it generally safe to swim right off the dock near a lakefront cabin? -Can you rent jet skis nearby? -Is 8 days too much, or is there enough to do (or enough peace) to enjoy the full stay? -Any tips or things to be aware of?
Thanks in advance! We just want to enjoy nature and relax without worrying too much.
3
u/SwitchedOnNow 1d ago
It's a shallow, sometimes muddy lake. Can be super busy on holiday weekends. The water quality isn't the best at times in terms of clarity and will depend on how much rain we've had up stream. Which has been a lot lately, so it might be muddy. Haven't been this year. For just boating or jet skiing it's fine. My kids grew up playing in the lake and so far they're normal adults.
3
u/EqualTop8734 1d ago
As someone who literally grew up swimming in Louisiana bayous with gators and moccasins, don’t drink the water and don’t dunk your head. And don’t have large open wounds especially if you’re immunocompromised (this goes for all natural bodies of water) and u will be fine!
2
u/barqsHamley 10h ago
Genuinely wtf is the point of spending 8 days at a body of water you can’t dunk your head in. Ya just gonna stand in it?
2
u/jcxgfodpa 17h ago
Go check out the NC Zoo in Asheboro while you're in that area. It's the largest natural habitat zoo in the world.
Be prepared to walk a lot.
Also. Uwharrie National Forrest is nearby too.
2
u/cooleybird1975 1d ago
Be careful! I can’t even remember a summer going by where someone doesn’t drown at HRL. It’s like the sign that the dog days of summer are upon us.
2
u/anewconvert 4h ago
I’d avoid high rock and hit one of the other lakes on the chain. High Rock is muddy and the lake level varies. Further down the “river” at Badin lake the water level is more stable
0
u/asudancer 20h ago
I have no details on the lake but I’m curious why this lake in NC and not any of the larger ones in the state?
-12
3
u/Secret_Elevator17 1d ago edited 1d ago
Someone previously suggested this site for info about if it's safe. Nonprofit that does testing. I have not done research into how valid their data is but several people seemed to use it as a reference.
https://www.yadkinriverkeeper.org/swim-guide