10 Best Places For Kayaking In North Carolina, USA

kayaking in north carolina
Nduku
Nduku 
Updated
| 4 min read

North Carolina is a wonderful state with lots of scenic beauty that you will surely enjoy. Here, you can indulge in various outdoor activities such as hiking, sightseeing, mountain climbing, fishing, kayaking, and many more. The region also has many natural attractions such as rivers, waterfalls, springs, hills, mountains, and lakes that you can visit and have an exciting time. Due to the long rivers in this region, you will be able to challenge yourself through a fascinating kayaking experience across the rapids and sharp river bends. Check out below for more information on the best places for kayaking in North Carolina, USA.

1. Rocky River Blueway


Unwind at Rocky River Blueway for an exciting holiday experience. The kayaking trail stretches approximately 49 miles (78 kilometers) across various spectacular views of the landscape that you will surely enjoy viewing. The trail will challenge you with swift rapids, rock outcrops, rapid water movement, and many more that will get the adrenaline running through your body. The paddle stretch offers you magnificent views of wildlife such as deer, egrets, turkeys, and many more. Surely, this is where you should be if you are looking for an exciting time.

Rocky River Blueway

Address: 3615 NC-205, Oakboro, NC 28129, United States

Website: Rocky River Blueway

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

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2. Mountain Island Lake

Mountain Island Lake, North Carolina
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ken Lund used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Visit Mountain Island Lake and enjoy kayaking with your friends for a memorable holiday experience. Here, you will get to explore various natural landscapes and manmade constructions such as dams, riverbeds, parks, pump stations, creeks, and many more. Picnic tables are also available for you to use if needed. You and your loved ones could also cherish wonderful bonding while swimming in the lake. Other than that, you could indulge in various activities such as sightseeing, biking, snorkeling, fishing, camping, and hiking.

Mountain Island Lake

Address: North Carolina, USA

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3. Roanoke River

Roanoke River - panoramio
Source: Photo by user Idawriter used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Set yourself up for a beautiful kayaking experience at Roanoke River. While kayaking, you will pass through various challenging waterways such as rapids, dams, rocks, and many more. Also, you can participate in other activities such as fishing, wading, sightseeing, birdwatching, and tubing. This exciting adventure will make you explore new places and also cherish the breathtaking views of the natural scenic landscape. Normally, you will have a 6-mile (9.6-kilometer) stretch for you to complete the tour for a revitalized feeling.

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4. Rankin Lake Park

Posted by Rankin Lake Park II on Sunday, 16 June 2019

Chill out at Rankin Lake Park for an unforgettable kayaking experience. Explore new regions as you unwind to the spectacular views of the landscape. You will surely appreciate the beauty of nature as seen in the surrounding. Other than kayaking you can also take on various activities such as canoeing, fishing, and boating. The park offers you a pavilion where you can comfortably relax and enjoy a fascinating fun time. Ideally, you are assured of quality time with loved ones at this spectacular destination.

Rankin Lake Park

Address: 1750 Rankin Lake Rd, Gastonia, NC 28052, United States

Website: Rankin Lake Park

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5. Anne Springs Close Greenway

anne springs close greenway field trip kids elementary goodncrazy 5
Source: Photo by user Carissa Rogers used under CC BY 2.0

There are so many reasons why you should visit Anne Springs Close Greenway. One of the reasons is the fantastic kayaking experience it offers you. Other than that, you could also take an interest in different outdoor activities such as trail running, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, and hiking. This is also an awesome place for taking either group photos or selfies for your loved ones. Also, you could cherish a wonderful romantic stroll with your spouse at sunset to capture the spectacular views of the landscape.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Address: 2573 Lake Haigler Drive Fort Mill, South Carolina

Website: Anne Springs Close Greenway

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6. Milltail Creek


Come enjoy kayaking at Milltail Creek, for an exciting time with family. During your 10.6 miles (17 kilometers) along the stretch, you will come across many spectacular views of animals and landscapes. To get to the creek, you will have to carefully navigate through a footbridge. At the creek, you will hear the sound of birds and other animals. Your journey starts at Buffalo City Rd all the way to Milltail Creek and finally Alligator River then back. This breathtaking experience will surely be unforgettable.

Milltail Creek

Address: East Lake, NC 27953, USA

Website: Milltail Creek

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7. Kevin B Loftin Park

kayaking in north carolina | kevin b loftin park
Source: instagram

Have an exciting time kayaking at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park with your loved ones. The river has calm water with a gorgeous surrounding that allows you to easily relax as you explore this region. Other than that, you can also go along with various watersport activities such as snorkeling, fishing, swimming, and many more. The park has a kids’ playground for your children to enjoy themselves. Furthermore, bathrooms are also available for your personal use. If you have a car, secured parking is available for you.

Kevin B Loftin Park

Address: East, 1400 Catawba St, Belmont, NC 28012, United States

Website: Kevin B Loftin Park

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

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8. Cheoah River

Cheoah River, Tapoco, NC Sept 2019
Source: Photo by user Thomson200 used under CC0

Get your heart pumping with an adrenaline rush as you go for a kayaking adventure at Cheoah River. This exciting adventure takes you through never-ending rapids, vegetation cover, hydraulics, and other twists and turns of the river. You will find this river quite challenging and exciting at the same time. The river also provides you with various fish species that you can harvest and prepare a dish. For your personal safety, make sure that you are with your guide at all times to avoid any unnecessary accidents.

Cheoah River

Address: Yellow Creek, NC 28771, USA

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9. U.S. National Whitewater Center

US National Whitewater Center
Source: Photo by user Doug Letterman used under CC BY 2.0

Enjoy quality time kayaking at U.S. National Whitewater Center for an interesting holiday experience. Apart from kayaking, you can also get involved in various activities such as rock climbing, biking, swimming, and many more. You will also enjoy the atmosphere in the surroundings as it ignites your mood to fully enjoy yourself. Additionally, you will also be offered excellent customer service from the professional staff. Furthermore, amenities such as a tidy bathroom, picnic tables, fire pits, and many others, are at your disposal.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Address: 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214, United States

Website: U.S. National Whitewater Center

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10. Three Sisters Swamp

Three Sisters Swamp 2020
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Greenlindae used under CC0

Three Sisters Swamp is the place to be if you want an unforgettable kayaking experience. While here, you will be able to view several ancient trees that existed more than a century ago. You will also get to learn that the reason the trees have survived for that long is because of the pristine conditions they are in. You will surely relax as you enjoy the calm waters and the natural scenic beauty. Ideally, this is a fantastic place for a wonderful family bonding time for you will not be disappointed.

Three Sisters Swamp

Address: Wilmington, NC 28409

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Enjoy kayaking in North Carolina

North Carolina offers you a good ground for kayaking with your friends and family. Come experience a once-in-a-lifetime activity for a revitalizing adventure. If you’re a kayaking enthusiast, our list above offers enough options for you to try out.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Nduku Mulwa is an accomplished online freelancer with a penchant for travel. She has explored various countries, including Canada, South Africa, Ghana, and Japan, in pursuit of stunning landscapes,...Read more

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