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We're considering a move to Triad/Triangle area. Besides heading to the coast for ocean kayaking or the mountains to the west, where are the local places where folks go to kayak in the Piedmont?
There was actually a nice article in the Herald this morning about folks who kayak @ Eno park in North Durham. Maybe that would be an area for you to check out?
Also check out that kayaking place on Falls of Neuse Road near the northern extents of Raleigh. Here is there website I went a couple of years ago it was a lot of fun. www.paddlecreeknc.com/
Not in the Triangle area, but the National Whitewater Center is just down I85 in Charlotte. If you're very experienced, I would assume it is not that great, but it does seem pretty impressive to me (not a paddler).
Most of the stuff around our area is going to be flat water. There may be a rapid or two around, but you'd need to go a few hours west to get to some serious water, I think.
The Cape Fear and the Haw have some interesting stuff. Not flat, but not extreme either....
(To put it in perspective, I'm not a paddler, but I mountainbike, and a LOT of my friends paddle, so I just repeat what they have said, and/or what I have seen.
My husband prefers flat water, toot68. So a quiet lake or river suits him just fine. Feel free to make suggestions. Perhaps when he retires he'll be more adventuresome.
Taynxtlvl, looks like he should check with the folks at Paddle Creek. I'm sure they can steer him right.
Thanks to you to Bmateo for sharing what you've learned from your friends. Maybe my husband will check out the Whitewater Center when he's ready to try the more serious water.
We appreciate your comments. It appears that most of the lakes in the Triangle are resevoirs. Do they have launch area and allow paddling?
For flatwater, the Beaverdam Lake section of Falls Lake is outstanding. I also enjoyed paddling in the Lower and Upper Barton Creek basins on Falls Lake.
You can always take your kayak to the boat ramps, but there are plenty of spots, often near bridges, where you can park on the side of the road and carry your boat to the water's edge.
About 1-1/2 hours east of Raleigh is Williamston, where you'll find the Roanoke River and some really nice flatwater paddle trails.
I second the Beaverdam Lake recommendation above. We live pretty close to there and kayak there often. It's very peaceful and there is a nice loading/unloading area located adjacent to Old Weaver Trail.
There are also some very scenic sections of Jordan Lake near the Robeson Creek access area where there are a lot of bald eagle sightings.
Another great place is the Eno River - there is a launch not too far off of the Red Mill Rd. exit of I85 near Durham. It's a nice paddle down the river and it empties into the upper section of Falls Lake.
There are a bunch of meetup groups that you could
google.. I joined one in hopes of finding friends to kayak with and new spots..
If you have trouble finding Meetup group info let me know..
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