Public Showers in North Carolina

Do you need to take a shower in North Carolina? Here is the public shower database for the ‘Tar Heel State,’ which we are constantly updating. There are many free and paid places available.

Select a city:

States bordering North Carolina:

Asheville

Gold’s Gym Oakley Plaza

If you haven’t been to Gold’s Gym before, you can signup for a free day pass, which grants you access to their showers. Clean facility with amazingly hot water and pressure.

Reuter Family YMCA

Local YMCA that has day passes that gain you access to many private shower stalls. Nice, hot water with great pressure. Friendly staff. Waiver must be signed and ID must be shown.

Woodfin YMCA

Nicely equipped YMCA that have several private shower stalls for guests. Admission is $15 per day and give you access to all of the amenities. Must sign a waiver and show ID at the front desk.

Banner Elk

Peak Fitness

Two showers in each of the men’s and women’s restrooms. Cheap day pass grants you access, as well as the ability to use their amazing infrared sauna. Nice facility; clean but small. Friendly employees!

Blowing Rock

Julian Price Campground

Located along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, you’ll find this nice campground in the trees. There is a shower building that the general public is allowed to use for a small fee. Not open during the winter months. Check their website for specifics.

Boone

Watauga County Parks and Recreation

For shower-only access you can buy a pass for just $5. These are individual stalls with great privacy and complimentary soap dispensers. Clean facility with spacious locker rooms. Very nice.

Cherokee

Cherokee Fitness Complex

Really nice, smaller sized gym that allows guests to use the showers without a charge, just sign a waiver. Warm water (not entirely hot) with good pressure.

Cullowhee

Jackson County Recreation Complex

Very nice rec center with cheap showers and no time limit. Very clean and updated facility with plenty of pressure. Staff is very friendly.

Elizabeth City

Mariners Wharf

Located next to the visitors center is a public pay shower. Clean stall with privacy. Walk into the visitors center to inquire, pay, and get the door code.

Fontana Dam

Fontana Dam Shelter

Located a short walk down from the parking area is a small building with two hot showers. Very nice facility that’s completely free to use. Typically used by AT hikers but open to all public use. Shower stalls have privacy and lockable doors.

Morehead City

Sports Center

Very nice rec center with lots of amenities; hot showers, sauna, steam room, pools, hot tub, gym, track, etc. Very nice water pressure in a clean facility. Friendly employees. Students and seniors can enjoy a discounted rate.

Murphy

Murphy Health & Fitness

Nice fitness center with many hot shower stalls in their locker rooms. With the price of a day pass you can also access their pool, gym, and a large sauna. Very nice place that’s kept clean and tidy.

Nags Head

Coquina Beach

Two open stall showers with multiple showerheads located next to the restrooms. These are cold-only showers and are usually used for rinsing off the sand and saltwater, but they could easily be used for a quick wash up.

Jennette’s Pier

Two cold water showers located next to the restrooms. Good water pressure, relatively clean.

New Bern

Twin Rivers YMCA

This is a nice YMCA that typically allows anyone to use the showers-only as long as you sign a waiver and show your ID. Ask the front desk or give them a call and tell them your situation. Clean with ample hot water.

New London

Baldin Lake Campground

Warm water showers located within the campground. You do not need to be staying at the campground to use them; outsiders welcome. Located and ask the camp host for access. Quite dirty and not very well kept, but it works in a pinch.

Ocracoke

Ocracoke Campground

Shower room located within the campground that’s free and open to the public. Warm water and relatively clean. Located near the entrance to the camping area.

Salvo

Salvo Day Use Area

Two outdoor cold water showers located at the small outbuilding. While typically used for rinsing off sand after enjoying the beach, you can easily use them to wash up.

Southport

Dutchman Creek Park

Located on the back side of the restroom is a single shower head that provides decent hot water. Not much privacy, but clean and convenient.

Statesville

Love’s Travel Stop

Very nice (super clean) truck stop showers with no time limit and endless hot water. Towels are provided at no extra cost. Friendly staff!

Waynesville

Pilot Travel Center

Very nice Pilot truck stop with several private shower rooms available to the public. Spacious stalls with plentiful hot water. Each room is equipped with a toilet, sink, towel rack, and bench. Towels are provided for free.