Last updated: 2026 | By Sarah Marchwiany

Some places feel like they were made for summer. Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, North Carolina is one of them — a fifth-generation family farm on over 300 acres near Lake Norman that has been feeding, entertaining, and creating memories for families since 1902. What started as a tobacco and cotton operation evolved into a fruit and vegetable farm, and today it’s one of the most beloved agritourism destinations in the entire Charlotte region, with something worth visiting for in every single season.

We first visited for the quarry — a spectacular spring-fed swimming hole surrounded by natural rock faces — and it quickly became one of our family’s favorite summer memories. But 2026 marks an exciting new chapter for Carrigan Farms: the inaugural season of their u-pick flower field, adding sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, and celosia to a calendar already packed with strawberries, apples, pumpkins, and the farm’s extraordinary fall haunted experience.

This guide covers everything Carrigan Farms has to offer across all four seasons — so you can plan the perfect visit no matter when you go.

Address: 1261 Oakridge Farm Highway, Mooresville, NC 28115 (main farm entrance)
Flower field entrance: 1213 Oakridge Farm Highway, Mooresville, NC 28115 (west entrance)
Phone: (704) 664-1450 Website: carriganfarms.com
Drive time from Greensboro: Approximately 1 hour via I-85 South to I-485 to US-21 North
Drive time from Winston-Salem: Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes via I-85 South
Drive time from Charlotte: Approximately 30 minutes via I-77 North or US-21 North

A Fifth-Generation Family Farm

Carrigan Farms has been in continuous family operation since 1902 — making it a North Carolina Century Farm, one of fewer than 3,000 in the entire state. The farm began with tobacco and cotton, transitioned to a dairy operation, and since 1975 has focused on a fruit and vegetable operation that grew into the diverse agritourism destination it is today.

Every time you visit and spend money here, you’re supporting more than 120 years of family farming on the same piece of land. That’s a rare thing, and worth knowing about.

The Quarry — Open Swim in a Spring-Fed Natural Pool

The Quarry is the experience that put Carrigan Farms on the map for most families, and it absolutely lives up to the reputation. A stunning natural spring-fed quarry with calm, clear water, dramatic rock faces, and a genuinely beautiful setting — it is one of those places that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something secret, even though thousands of families have now experienced it.

What to Expect at the Quarry

After the easy one-hour drive from the Triad, plan to arrive right when open swim begins — the quarry fills up as the morning goes on, and getting there early means the best spots on the grass for chairs and umbrellas. The setting is serene: calm water, gorgeous natural rock walls, and plenty of space to swim, float, and relax.

The Quarry Restaurant operates on-site during swim season, serving farm-fresh food, beer, and wine. You cannot bring outside food and beverages into the quarry area — but the restaurant is genuinely good and worth planning lunch around. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

Swim Tests and Life Jackets

Safety is taken seriously at The Quarry. The rules are clear and consistently enforced:

All guests age 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times — no exceptions. Guests 12 and older must either wear a life jacket or pass a swim test. The swim test requires jumping into the quarry, swimming to a dock, treading water for one full minute, and swimming to the exit ladder. Pass the test and you receive a wristband and are free to swim without a jacket for the rest of the day. Guests may also bring their own life vest if preferred.

Tip: If you have strong swimmers 12 and up, have them do the swim test first thing when you arrive so they have full freedom for the day.

Jumping, Rope Swings & Thrills

For families with teens and older kids, The Quarry delivers genuine thrills. Multiple jumping points, a rope swing that requires a full chin-up to use, and a high-jump area make this significantly more exciting than a typical pool or lake swim. The rock faces and clear water make every jump feel dramatic.

For younger kids and less adventurous swimmers, the calm areas of the quarry are perfectly enjoyable for floating and relaxing. This is genuinely a place where every age group can find their version of a perfect summer afternoon.

Quarry Practical Details

Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day, open daily for swim plus select evenings Hours: Check carriganfarms.com for current daily swim schedule and evening event dates Admission: Check current pricing at carriganfarms.com — book online in advance; sessions can sell out Payment: Cash and card accepted; confirm current payment policy before arrival What to bring: Swimsuits, towels, reef-safe sunscreen, chairs or blankets for the grass, water shoes recommended for the rock areas What NOT to bring: Outside food and beverages are not permitted in the quarry area Reservations: Recommended, especially for weekend visits and The Quarry Restaurant

The Flower Field — NEW in 2026

2026 marks Carrigan Farms’ inaugural season of pick-your-own flowers — and for a farm that already does so much well, this is a genuinely exciting addition. The flower field opens in mid-June and runs through summer, growing over 20 varieties across eight types of flowers including sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, celosia, and cascading amaranth.

How It Works

Enter at the flower field’s west entrance at 1213 Oakridge Farm Highway. Select your session time and reserve online in advance — there are four time slots per day (9:30am, 10:30am, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm). Tickets include a souvenir cup and cutting shears. Walk the field at your own pace, cut what catches your eye, and fill your cup.

The field changes every week as new varieties peak and fade, which means repeat visits throughout the summer will yield a different experience each time.

What’s Growing

Sunflowers — towering giants that stretch well overhead in warm golds, rich burgundies, bronzy coppers, and classic yellows. Pollenless varieties mean no mess on your clothes or your table.

Zinnias — massive dahlia-shaped blooms up to six inches across in deep red, burnt orange, coral, lime green, wine, purple, bright pink, salmon, golden yellow, and white.

Cosmos — light, airy, and romantic. Colors from pure white to shell pink to deep crimson.

Celosia, marigolds, and cascading amaranth — texture, color, and drama to complete any arrangement.

Session Tips

Morning sessions (9:30am and 10:30am) offer the freshest blooms and coolest temperatures — ideal if comfort and stem quality are the priority.

Evening sessions (5:30pm and 6:30pm) offer golden hour light — ideal if photos are part of the plan. The warm late-day light on a sunflower field is extraordinary and makes for some of the most beautiful family photos of the summer.

The field changes weekly. Follow Carrigan Farms on Instagram and Facebook for real-time bloom updates.

Booking: Required — reserve at carriganfarms.com before arriving Admission: Includes souvenir cup and cutting shears; check current pricing at carriganfarms.com

Spring: Strawberry Picking

Starting in mid-April, Carrigan Farms opens for pick-your-own strawberries — one of the most popular spring agritourism experiences in the Lake Norman area. The strawberry fields are lush and the fruit is reliably excellent, and the snapdragons that bloom alongside the strawberry fields in spring make this a beautiful visit even for families who aren’t particularly focused on the picking.

The farm market is also open during spring season with fresh asparagus and other early-season produce.

Fall: Apple Picking, Pumpkins & Scarrigan Farms

Apple Picking

September brings apple-picking season to Carrigan Farms. The farm grows a range of apple varieties and the picking experience draws families from across the Charlotte metro and the Triad. Fresh-pressed apple cider and warm apple cider donuts are available for purchase — the combination of crisp fall air, a basket of apples, and a cider donut is one of the great simple pleasures of a North Carolina autumn.

Pumpkin Patch

In October, Carrigan Farms transforms for pumpkin season with over twenty acres of pumpkins — one of the largest patches in the region. Hayrides take visitors to the field and you have time to find your perfect pumpkin, cut it from the vine, and bring it home. Farm animals are available to see near the patch, which is a genuine hit with younger kids.

Scarrigan Farms Haunted Events

Each October, Carrigan Farms transforms into Scarrigan Farms — one of the most popular Halloween haunted experiences in the greater Charlotte area. The transformation is significant enough that the farm has developed a separate identity and following for its fall haunted events, drawing visitors specifically for the spooky season programming.

Check carriganfarms.com/scarrigan for current Scarrigan Farms dates, tickets, and what to expect.

The Quarry Restaurant

The Quarry Restaurant operates during swim season, serving farm-fresh food alongside beer and wine in an outdoor setting that is genuinely part of the Carrigan Farms experience. The food is good — don’t skip it. Reservations are strongly recommended on summer weekends, as the restaurant fills up.

Outside food and beverages cannot be brought into the quarry area, so budget for lunch or snacks from The Quarry Restaurant when you plan your visit.

Practical Tips for Visiting Carrigan Farms

Arrive early for quarry swim — sessions fill up and the best spots for chairs and umbrellas go fast.

Book in advance for everything — quarry sessions, flower field sessions, and The Quarry Restaurant reservations all benefit from advance booking, and quarry sessions can sell out on peak summer weekends.

Check the website before you go — Carrigan Farms updates carriganfarms.com with current-season details including hours, admission pricing, and any changes. A quick check before heading out is always worth it.

Bring cash as a backup — while cards are accepted, having cash available is smart for any agritourism destination.

Wear the right shoes — water shoes are recommended for the rocky quarry areas; closed-toe shoes for the flower field and farm areas.

Don’t bring outside food to the quarry — you’ll need to eat from The Quarry Restaurant, so budget accordingly. This is more than fine; the food is good.

Follow Carrigan Farms on social media — Instagram and Facebook both get real-time updates on quarry conditions, flower field bloom status, and seasonal openings. Especially useful for timing a flower field visit to peak bloom.

Consider the drive from the Triad — at roughly one hour from Greensboro, Carrigan Farms is a genuine day-trip commitment. Combine the quarry swim with a flower field session and lunch at The Quarry Restaurant to make the most of the drive. In fall, add apple picking and pumpkins to create a full harvest day.

Sample Full Day at Carrigan Farms

9:30am — Flower field session (morning slot for best blooms and coolest temps) 11:00am — Browse the farm market 11:30am — Head to the quarry entrance; claim spots on the grass; kids do swim tests 12:00pm — Lunch at The Quarry Restaurant (reserve in advance) 1:00pm — Open quarry swim — jumps, rope swing, floating, relaxing 4:00pm — Last swim of the day; pack up 4:30pm — Head home to the Triad; home by 5:30pm

FAQs About Carrigan Farms

How far is Carrigan Farms from Greensboro?

Approximately 1 hour via I-85 South — a manageable day-trip distance that makes it easy to combine multiple activities in a single visit.

Is the Carrigan Farms quarry open year-round?

No — the quarry is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, open daily for swim sessions plus select evening events. Check carriganfarms.com for the current-season calendar.

What is the swim test at Carrigan Farms?

Guests 12 and older who want to swim without a life jacket must pass a swim test: jump into the quarry, swim to a dock, tread water for one full minute, and swim to the exit ladder. Pass and you receive a wristband. Children 11 and under must wear a life jacket at all times.

Is cash required at Carrigan Farms?

Earlier visits required cash-only admission for the quarry. The farm has expanded payment options — check carriganfarms.com for current payment policies before visiting.

Does Carrigan Farms have food on-site?

Yes — The Quarry Restaurant is open during swim season serving farm-fresh food, beer, and wine. Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the quarry area. Reservations are recommended on summer weekends.

When does the Carrigan Farms flower field open?

2026 is the inaugural season for the flower field, opening mid-June. Sessions are ticketed and must be reserved in advance at carriganfarms.com. Four time slots daily: 9:30am, 10:30am, 5:30pm, and 6:30pm.

What flowers are in the Carrigan Farms flower field?

Sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, celosia, and cascading amaranth — over 20 varieties across eight flower types. The field changes weekly as different varieties peak.

Does Carrigan Farms have strawberry picking?

Yes — pick-your-own strawberries typically open in mid-April and run through spring. Snapdragons bloom alongside the strawberry fields in spring, adding to the visual appeal beyond just the berries.

What is Scarrigan Farms?

Scarrigan Farms is Carrigan Farms’ October haunted experience — one of the most popular Halloween attractions in the greater Charlotte area. Check carriganfarms.com for current-year dates and tickets.

Looking for more day trips from the Triad? See our Ultimate Guide to Charlotte with Kids, our Best Sunflower Fields in NC guide, our Swimming Holes & Watering Holes Near the Triad, and our Pick Your Own Flower Farms in the Triad.

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