Updated: February 15, 2007
There have been many requests for a list of favorite paddling trips. There is something to recommend for all of the trips included in the guidebook, but if you do not have time to see them all, here is a list of favorite trips. They are classified as to whether you are seeking a whitewater, flatwater, or camping trip.
Whitewater - Downriver Day Trips: Class I–II
Dan River Section 3,
page 318
The water often runs clear and there is little
development seen along the rhododendron-lined banks.
Eno River Sections 3–4, pages 241–243
Rain is needed to make this run through Eno River State
Park land. It is an excellent example of urban river preservation.
Haw River Section 6, pages 90–91
There is always enough water if you know the best routes.
It is half flatwater and half class I–II rapids, with few signs of civilization
between the bridges.
Whitewater - Downriver Day Trips: Class II–III
Buffalo Creek (Yadkin-Pee
Dee Basin) Section 1, pages 405–406
Good gradient with a deep gorge in the middle of the
run.
Haw River Sections 7–8, pages 92–94
The best rapids are in Section 8, but Section 7 is
a good warm-up unless you intend to spend a lot of time surfing in Section
8.
Little River (near Durham) Section 1–2, pages 252–253
Section 2 is very short, but has the feel of a Mountains
stream in the Piedmont. Section 1 provides a good warm-up but usually has
some downed trees.
Whitewater - Round Trips (no shuttle required)
Neuse River Section
1, page 264
Play the rapids below Falls Dam.
Roanoke River Section 1, page 337–338
Stay at the take-out and play in Weldon Falls.
Flatwater - Downriver Day Trips
Black River Section
6, pages 43–44
A popular run because of the blackwater, contrast between
the wide beginning and braided shallow channels (Narrows), and ancient cypress
trees.
South River Section 3, pages 142–143
There are many nice sections of the South River. This
section is a good example of the paddling possibilities on the South River.
Waccamaw River Section 1, pages 211–212
The trip starts at the Lake Waccamaw dam and begins
as a narrow stream in Waccamaw State Park. The stream's blackwater flows through
a wildernesses with traces of old logging operations and historic Crusoe Island.
White Oak River Section 2, pages 396–397
Depending on flow, there are a couple of small rapids
before reaching quarry lakes. The width of the stream changes quickly. The
White Oak is a good example of a coastal stream.
Flatwater - Round Trips (no shuttle required)
Gardner Creek Section
1, page 328
This section takes Gardner Creek
to the Roanoke River at Jamesville, but the route can be changed. Put in on
Gardner Creek, paddle into Devil's Gut, and look for wildlife and the camping
platforms.
Merchants Millpond Section 1, pages 173–174
Merchants Millpond State Park has canoe rentals. The
millpond is full of cypress and tupelo trees. It is possible to explore the
millpond's headwaters, known as Bennetts Creek/Lassiter Swamp.
Milltail Creek Section 2, page 301
Take a trip down Milltail Creek to see its mouth at
the wide Alligator River. Return to the put-in or paddle parts of Section
1.
Camping - Weekend
Meherrin
River Sections 1–3, pages 169–170
It is remote and there are high sandbars for camping when flows are moderate
to low. Pick one or more sections to give 5–34 miles of paddling/camping possibilities.
South River Sections 9–10, page 145
There are many camping possibilities on the South. These two sections have
plenty of water to paddle except during long droughts. There is little development
and occasional banks high enough to provide dry ground.
Lumber River Sections 14–15, pages 203–204
These sections offer trip distances of 5, 11, 16, or 28 miles. There are sandbars
when water is low.
Camping - Weekend (with public sites)
Lumber River Sections
12–13, pages 201–203
Two Lumber River State Park primitive camping areas
are available in Section 12. Two additional camping areas are in Section 13,
but they are near the beginning and end.
Roanoke River Sections 6–7, pages 342–343
There are camping platforms in side streams off the
Roanoke River and one platform between Jamesville and Plymouth. Reservations
are required. Also see Gardner Creek, pages 327–328.
White Oak River Sections 2–3, pages 396–398
Croatan Nation Forest has land on the riverbank available
for primitive camping. Outfitters and campgrounds have camping available at
the put-in for Section 2 and the take-out of Section 3.
Camping - A week or more
Neuse River Sections
2–20, pages 264–275
From north of Raleigh to New Bern offers 193 miles
of paddling and camping. Although the Neuse flows through some towns, little
development is seen. The only dam to portage is Milburnie Dam (Section 3.)
Roanoke River Sections 2–7, pages 338–343
From Weldon to Plymouth offers 119 miles of paddling
and camping. Avoid camping on sandbars because releases from Roanoke Rapids
can cause large rises in water levels. Only three bridges cross this route
and there are no dams.
Tar River Sections 6–18, pages 371–378
From Louisburg to Greenville
offers 125 miles of paddling and camping.There are often high sandbars to
camp on at low flows. Portage is required at three dams (Sections 8, 10, and
12.)
Yadkin River Sections 5–19, pages 436–444
From W. Kerr Scott Reservoir near Wilkesboro to High
Rock Reservoir near Salisbury and Lexington offers 119 miles of paddling and
camping. There are some public camping areas available in several of these
sections. Portage is required at two dams (Sections 13 and 16.)
Paddling
Eastern North Carolina
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