North Carolina’s bodies of water are all you’ll want to avoid

From the blue-green mountains encountered hiking in the mountains of National Smok Park to the outer banks along the coast, seabirds, natural features, and unique wildlife. North Carolina loves its natural resources, and there’s nothing more “Carolina” on a hot summer day than finding a swimming hole and taking a refreshing dip. Beyond coastal lakes, more than 2,000 lakes, and straight rivers, the state offers plenty of natural swimming and snorkeling opportunities. But in the warmer months, you may find yourself sharing water with snakes.

Most snakes do not pose a threat to humans and help control rodents, supporting a healthy ecosystem. But in North Carolina’s mostly freshwater and marshy habitats, snakes are something to watch out for. The state isn’t the worst in the US for snakes — that dubious honor probably goes to Florida, which has the most reptile populations and the most snake-infested waters. Fortunately, however, most snakes in North Carolina are not even aquatic, and only six of the state’s 37 species are venomous. Two – the Eastern Diandback Rattlesnake and the eastern coral snake – are listed as endangered in North Carolina and are rarely seen. In the rivers and swamps of the southeastern coastal plain, you can encounter thomonotonicouths – aka water moccasins – in slow or slow-moving water with dense vegetation. Some of the most common carolina snakes – such as the eastern verm, the black rattlesnake, and various clothes snakes – are harmless. Among the water snakes, the harmless water snake, the harmless or red water snake, the mixed water snake, and the northern water snake, and the northern water snake thrive in supportive environments.

While you may not want to swim with snakes – venomous or not – remember: they don’t want to swim with you. Leave them to thrive in their natural environment – where you are just a guest.

Read more: The 5 most alligator-filled places in all of Florida

Limber rivers

The river Limber is the river BlackWater of 115 BlackWater and the previous one of the boats, named for its historical role in the transportation of timber, a major industry of the 18th century. Today, it is famous for fishing and fishing, and its banks are lined with wild animals, including beavers, minks, muskrats and otters; wild turkeys and many ducks; Pine cypress and juniper trees are covered with Spanish Moss and Virginia Creeper Viber, as well as the rare pitcher plant and Venus Flytrap. Copperheads and rattlesnakes have been seen on land, but water snakes are especially common here, and the cottonmouth is among them.

The most painful rattlesnake you will encounter in North Carolina is the Cortmouth. This pit viper is known for its defensive display – when threatened, it opens its mouth wide to reveal a white interior, which aims to start deer. Some stand their ground, so it’s better to give them space. They work mainly from April to October. Cottonmouths mature from Olive to Brown with black patterns crossing the bands; Coats usually have yellow or green tail tips. Copperheads, which are not mysterious, sometimes appear in the forest or on trails, and are considered a snake that often meets the question. Although not as painful as rattlesnake or coral snake bites, cottonmouth bites are very serious and require immediate treatment.

Watersnakes use the scientific name of Nerodia, and four of the nine complete species of Nerodia have non-destructive senses in North Carolina: brown water snakes (bumpy and quick to stick), and black water snakes, with light-colored underbellies.

Black River and Cape CAS Basin

15 kilometers above Wilmington, the Cape River is joined by the Black River, a slow-moving, 60-kilometer Tributary that flows through a variety of places where snakes thrive – from the Piedmont to the coastal plain. Along with other waterways, they spend in the Cape basin of the Creat River, the most varied and diverse water in the Kingdom in the Kingdom, with 9,000 square kilometers.

The dark river takes its name from the dark, rich water created by decay. It is a Paddler’s Paradise, as it emerges from floodplain forests, groves of bald cypress, three sister wetlands, and Oxbow Lakes – a small world that creates beautiful places for snakes. Its location on the south-east coast makes it the main habitat of the Cotterymouth, although it shares its waters with other snake species. Because of its dark, natural nature, the Black River is considered one of the richest serpentine rivers in North Carolina. As a popular waterway for kayakers and swimmers, observation is allowed around tall seagrass beds, driftwood, and riverbanks. In the summer of 2025, parts of North Carolina experienced high temperatures, and locals reported seeing more snakes than usual – mainly cottonmouths and cottonheads – and parts of the Black River.

You may also see unusual water snakes such as the brown water snake, the northern water snake, or the smooth water snake, which is common in swimming pools and backwaters. Sometimes snakes head for branches that fill with water, so if you’re wading, keep a sharp eye up.

Lake Waccamaw, the Waccamaw River, and the green swamp

Here you get three-for-one because these water bodies are connected – and they all have snakes! Waccamaw Lake is a natural lake in Columbus County, about 55 miles from the Carolina border and 40 miles west of Wilmington. It is one of the largest lakes in the area, formed by thousands of landslides over the years, and is full of wildlife and a diversity of wildlife, from limestone bluffs to sandy beaches and swamplands. People love the lake for fishing, boating, and camping – Lake Waccamaw State Park Devotional offers amenities. The Lake’s area includes the Green Swamp, home to alligators and back-to-back rattlesnates, and drains from the Waccamaw River, which flows across South Carolina to Winyah Bay. This expansion creates a complex wild habitat. The Waccamaw River is also considered one of the darkest water rivers in the southeast.

An abundance of non-venomous snakes, such as eastern rat snakes and eastern garter snakes – which live near water – live in the area. Although it is usually harmless to humans, the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis Sirralis) has an atypical bodily organ that receives active venom from the chambers. Lake Waccamaw is also home to Cottonmouths and Copperheads – it’s important to see, but it’s important to stay on the lookout and know how to react and avoid common human mistakes.

The Great Dismal Swamp

Of course, a list of water bodies full of snakes in North Carolina would be remiss without mentioning the great morast of Dismal, Massive, cartoonish Morass cartoon of marshland and forest spilled in the northeast corner of the country in Virginia. Here you’ll find a healthy mix of nearly 20,000 snakes and three venomous snakes: the cottonmouth, the canebreabake aka “log” rattlesnakes, and the copperheads.

TIMBER rattlesnakes are found primarily in the blue mountains of western North Carolina, but even there, numbers are dwindling, and it is possible to see non-rattlesnakes or copperheads. And although rattlesnakes tend to be tough and driven by the earth, be aware of any long wet areas. It’s always best to spot the cottonmouth sending its mouth guard warning so you can stop in time to prevent a bite. Also, keep an eye on the tree for more, especially if you’re passing by.

Painless black racers are probably the most common snake you’ll find in the Great Dismal, but they’re joined by all sorts of rainbow, rat, worm, and bug snakes. Northern brown snakes and black water snakes are likely to be found in waterways, and red red water snakes are found along tall grass, tree branches, and waterways.

Jordan Lake

Just 30 minutes outside of Downtown Raleigh lies a Tranquil State Park and Recreation area called Jordan Lake. A forest preserve surrounds nearly 150 miles of shoreline on this artificial lake, with picnic and picnic areas, boating beaches and numerous sandy beaches and swimming areas. Jordan Lake is popular for its size and proximity to the Raleigh-Durham area – an easy day trip that feels like you’ve stepped into the wilderness. But where there is wilderness, there are bound to be snakes. Jorn Lake’s Ecosystems include Shone Rocky Shorelines and smooth surfaces, favorable to snakes.

In the lake, you can find the water snake of the north and east of the rat snake, which last for good swimming and often hunt under water. Keep an eye open for heavy foliage or rock outcroppings near the water’s edge, where the rat snake can sunbathe – or climb trees. There are no established Cortmouth habitats in Wake County, so if you see a water snake, it’s probably harmless.

HOGNOSE snakes have been seen in the forested areas of Jordan Lake, so there is a good chance of catching a glimpse of it while hiking. They are painless, and their fangs are located at the back of the mouth, but they have a small hood, almost like a sin cobra when scared or caught. Many are dark in appearance, which can make them seem more intimidating than they really are – but the best practice is to see from a distance and protect the handle.

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