Plunge off rocky cliffs into blue-green water at The Quarry at Carrigan Farms

Strap on your floaties and blow up your inflatable swan. There’s a highly Instagrammable swimming hole 30 miles north of Charlotte.

And I’m not talking about Lake Norman. For a change of pace on the water, check out The Quarry at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville.

The Quarry at Carrigan Farms is a private, monitored event facility that’s open to the public in the summer.

And it’s kicking off the 2017 season starting today.

The Quarry is open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through August 24.

Their weekday hours cater to kids at home for summer vacation, but working adults can play hooky or take advantage of select weekend days.

Special weekend open swim dates include Sunday, July 2 and Sunday, August 27 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. They’ll also be open Labor Day, Monday, September 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Open swim at The Quarry is $12 per person and you must pass a swim test to participate without a life jacket.

Entry fees can be paid with cash or check, but credit/debit cards aren’t accepted.

Life jackets are provided (and children under 11 are required to wear one) but if you want to swim without flotation, you’ll have to pass a swim test first. The test requires that you jump off the rock cliff into the water, swim to a buoy, tread water at the buoy for 1 minute and then swim from the buoy to the ladder to climb out. You can watch the whole test here.

If you don’t pass the test or choose not to take it, you can still swim but will have to wear a life jacket the whole time.

This is a gorgeous space unlike anything else in the area.

There’s a grassy field with ample space to stake your claim on a picnic area, a covered shelter for escaping the sun and a sand volleyball court for non-water entertainment. The towering tree-lined rock cliffs make it feel like you’re a lot farther than 40 minutes from Charlotte.

Alcoholic drinks and dogs aren’t allowed during open swim, but you can pack your own picnic snacks.

If you can’t make it to any of the open swim dates, you could reserve the entire quarry for your own private swim party.

Swim parties are available for groups of 25 or more for just $12 per person plus $15 per lifeguard per hour. You can also add on an optional catered meal at $22 total (swim + food) per person.

Not a bad way to celebrate summer.

Oh, did I mention their director of marketing is a dog?

Meet Murphy Carrigan.

The Quarry at Carrigan Farms is located at 1213 Oak Ridge Farm Highway, Mooresville NC 28115.

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