Dive into an unforgettable summer weekend in North Carolina, where my boyfriend and I celebrated our anniversary by camping at Lake Norman State Park and an enjoying an exciting day trip to The Quarry at Carrigan Farms. Join us as we share the vibrant details of our journey – from the tranquility of the campgrounds to the breathtaking plunge into the Quarry’s refreshing waters.
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Setting the Wheels in Motion
Discovering the Nearby Hidden Gem
After our first camping trip in the Appalachian Mountains, Dean and I could not wait for our next. As broke, full-time working 20-somethings, we try to opt for nearby and budget-friendly thrills for weekend getaways, which tend to be a blast nonetheless. Dean stumbled upon a video of a swimming quarry online that is about a five-hour drive from us. The Quarry at Carrigan Farms looked breathtakingly beautiful, and I couldn’t believe something like that existed so close to us. We looked for campgrounds near it and booked the two-night sojourn immediately. I realized shortly after that it would be our anniversary weekend, so it was meant to be lol.
The night before, I found myself overflowing with excitement and anticipation; sleep was definitely out of the question. As much as I cherish being home and spending time with my cat, there’s such an invigorating thrill in staying overnight somewhere other than my house occasionally. It’s like rekindling childhood sleepover feelings, a youthful sense of wonder. I feel like sleeping in a different setting for a brief time brings a refreshing, adventurous vibe to life. It’s a chance to break from the routine and embrace new experiences.
Packing for the Trip
As the departure time for our road trip drew near, we eagerly packed our camping gear, outfits, and all the essentials ahead of time. You can find a list of my favorite camping essentials and a comprehensive camping checklist here! I spent the morning before our road trip packing up our big cooler with turkey, muenster, and special sauce sammies on sourdough bread; Costco muffins and homemade cold brew for breakfast; champagne for celebrating; and chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers for s’mores. I packed my little cooler with our road snacks: travel charcuterie (variety crackers, variety sliced meats, and variety cheese from Costco) and grapes. Since it was just a little weekend getaway, we decided not to go all out and bring our camping stove, since we planned to eat at the Quarry for dinner!
After Dean got off of work early, we embarked on our road trip to Lake Norman State Park.
Camping at Lake Norman State Park
Arrival & Unwinding
After about a five-hour drive, we finally arrived at our campsite and began to scope out the surroundings. Lake Norman State Park was very pretty, and the tent campsites were nestled around a nice wooded area. The lake added to the overall tranquility, but I was a tad disappointed that the entire lake wasn’t free rein for my long-distance open water swimming cravings. Am I the only one who feels like a zoo animal in an exhibit when there’s only a small section roped off to swim at lakes, beaches, etc.? However, I reassured myself that I had an exciting evening of swimming booked for tomorrow at The Quarry!
As the evening drew to a close, we feasted on our sandwiches, and then, settled in for some quality time with our current read, Insomnia by Stephen King. Dean and I have been reading aloud to each other, taking turns with every chapter before winding down for the night. Prioritizing a tech-free hour before bed helps us relax and unwind, steering clear of disruptive blue light. Despite the words of King’s story still lingering in our minds, we drifted off into a nice, restful sleep, eager for the exciting day ahead at The Quarry.
Swimming in Lake Norman
The next day, we woke up bright and early, had our muffins and coffee, and then pre-gamed for our big swim at The Quarry with some light swimming at Lake Norman State Park’s beach. It wasn’t a bad swim, the freshwater lake felt nice and refreshing, and it got to about six-feet deep at the deepest part of the roped off section. We were also able to get there early enough that there weren’t too many people either. Once refreshed from our shower, we returned to our campsite to eat lunch and play a game of travel Scrabble (I won, and Dean loves to say I’m a cheater), all while counting down the moments until our awaited reservations.
The Quarry at Carrigan Farms
Preparing for Our Visit
We made our reservations a week in advance for the 3:45 PM to sunset time slot, with intentions of a relaxing evening swim. Reservations called for a $5 deposit, with an additional $30 per person at the door (cash only). However, we got our deposit back in the form of a $5 food voucher each to redeem at the restaurant.
From Driving to Diving: Navigating Our Arrival
When 2:30 PM rolled around, we hit the road. Carrigan Farms was about a 25-minute drive from the campgrounds. Determined to make the most of this experience, we set off early, wanting to ensure a smooth arrival and be prepared for any unforeseen challenges, like parking or other potential hiccups. Navigating the parking ended up being a breeze. Lots of space was provided and a short walk led us to the park’s entrance.
Arriving early definitely paid off, as we snagged a great table. While lockers weren’t available, there were plenty of first-come, first-serve tables, or you could spread out on the grass or sandy area with your own chairs.
Swim Test
At The Quarry, if you’re 12 or older, you have the option to take a swim test for swimming without a lifejacket. The test involves jumping in from a designated spot (~10 feet high), swimming out to the lifeguard(s) on a floating dock, treading water for one minute, and swimming back to a ladder (~25 yards).
Confident in our swimming abilities, both Dean and I decided to give it a try, and fortunately, we passed. Floating comes naturally to me, so I wasn’t too worried about it, but with The Quarry being 25-feet deep and its vastness not offering many places to hold on, keeping a life jacket or other floatation device handy is a smart move. Now, Dean’s not a floater like me, but when I suggested bringing floaties for added relaxation, he declined. Later on, while we were swimming he mentioned, “Maybe we should’ve brought floaties.” I swear, this happens so often; I should just surprise him with things I know he’d love more often instead of asking first.
Cliff Jumping & Rope Swing
There were a few different spots to jump into The Quarry, the highest jump being 16 feet. There is also a rope swing, but alas, it required demonstrating a single pull-up and being at least 54-inches to partake. I am well above 54-inches, but I couldn’t manage the pull-up, so Dean had a blast enjoying it on his own. It looked super fun, but I will just use this as my motivation to train my lats even harder lol.
Sipping & Savoring
They had a few different beers on tap; we tried the Sycamore Brewing Mountain Candy IPAs—they were a real delight. After a few blissful hours of swimming, our appetites led us to the restaurant. We both settled on the Charcoal Grilled Hamburger and French Fries, a decision we didn’t regret as they turned out to be so yummy, especially after swimming.
Rejuvenated, we headed back to the water for a bit more swimming before treating ourselves to a satisfying Vanilla Ice Cream Cone. The soft serve, velvety and rich, proved to be an ideal treat to top off our Quarry experience.
Overall Experience
Overall, swimming at the quarry was an amazing experience! The water felt so refreshing, and the expanse of the quarry made it feel like a true aquatic wonderland. Having lifeguards on duty added an extra layer of reassurance, making us feel safe while we enjoyed the water. The Quarry was well-maintained, ensuring a pleasant environment without feeling overly crowded or chaotic. It was the perfect balance of excitement and tranquility, leaving us with cherished memories.
The Quarry’s food and drink offering seamlessly enhanced our experience. The convenience of enjoying such great food on-site added an extra layer of enjoyment to our adventure.
We had an amazing time and would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone considering a visit. The combination of refreshing water, well-maintained surroundings, and tasty food made for an unforgettable outing that we’ll treasure forever.