When it comes to flatwater paddling, the Charlotte area is privileged with an embarrassment of riches.
Three significant lakes surround the city, each connected by a singularly paddable stretch of river. Several smaller creaks, streams and lakes dot the landscape here as well.
Here we’ve gathered six of the best places to kayak and SUP around Charlotte.
South Fork River Blueway
The South Fork River Blueway is an 8.4-mile section of its namesake river running through the heart of Gaston County. From its start in Spencer Mountain to its conclusion in McAdenville, the blueway has a total of nine launch sites.
This paddle is easily done in a day, reportedly taking about 5 hours if you simply flow with the gentle current.
This is a more intimate trip than much of the Catawba as the South Fork River narrows considerably. A highlight is stopping in Cramerton for a coffee and a snack at the riverside location of Floyd and Blackies.
How to do it:
This can be an easy one-way float if you arrange a car drop at your take out spot. Or you can turn around and paddle back upstream. The current is gentle enough to do it, but you will put in some effort.
If you get a permit from the Catawba Lands Conservancy ahead of time, you can launch from the Spencer Mountain put in. Otherwise, you can start 3.5 miles downstream at South Fork River Park in Lowell.
There are several places to take out, but to complete the whole section, paddle to Baltimore Park in Cramerton. This is where you’ll stash your car if you’re not planning to paddle back upstream.
Mountain Island Lake: Neck Road Access
Mountain Island Lake is the smallest of the three Catawba-fed lakes near Charlotte. It’s also the least developed, with much of its 61 miles of shoreline currently under protection.
The result is a beautiful paddle trip with fewer power boats and tons of opportunity to spot wildlife. There’s no bad direction to paddle here, but it can be fun to stick near shore, ducking into the small coves that motorboats dare not tread.
How to do it:
The Neck Road Access is a safe and easy place to begin your exploration of Mountain Island Lake. There’s a concrete boat launch and separate kayak put in. There is no cost to use this public launch.
The Catawba River near Charlotte
The Catawba River is an incredible resource for waterborne recreation. Not to mention it feeds Lakes Norman, Mountain Island, and Wylie and supplies drinking water for around two million people.
No wonder the folks at the Catawba River Keeper work so hard to protect it.
The section of the Catawba that runs adjacent to Mecklenburg County’s western border is well-known for its long stretch of flat, smooth water. A morning or later afternoon paddle on this section of river often nets views of osprey and blue heron as well as the occasional eagle and hawk.
How to do it:
There are several ways to get on the river near Charlotte. Here are three to get you started.
Tailrace Marina offers SUP, Kayak, and canoe rentals in Mount Holly (directly across from the USNWC). They also have a public launch for $5 per boat.
The U.S. National Whitewater Center offers flatwater kayak and SUP rentals. It’s not a convenient place to launch your own vessel though.
Kevin Loftin Park in Belmont has multiple launches and boat docks. There’s plenty of parking and no fee to launch.
Landsford Canal State Park (spider lily paddle)
Several miles downriver of Charlotte, past Lake Wylie and Fort Mill, the Catawba River takes on a different temperament. Gone is the glass-smooth surface and unimpeded flow of the river. In its place is a labyrinth of narrow passages through huge rocks.
These rocky shoals happen to provide the perfect environment for a particular type of spider lily. The tall, bright white flowers absolutely cover this section of the river in late May and June, providing a unique paddling experience.
How to do it:
Landsford Canal State Park is your gateway to the spider lilies. Ideally, you should paddle this one with someone familiar with the area first. At least check with the State Park Rangers to verify water levels are safe. A small change in flow can make navigating the shoals treacherous.
Begin your paddle at the north end of the park and head downriver. There’s an exit at the southern end of the park. Stash your boat here and walk 1.5 miles up the trail to your car. There are signs explaining the history of Landsford Canal along the way.
Lake Wylie: Copperhead Island
McDowell Nature Preserve is a little slice of outdoor heaven just southwest of the 485 Loop. The preserve has miles of hiking trails, dozens of campsites, and an educational nature center.
For paddlers, though, it’s a piece of land adjacent to the main park that makes it interesting. Copperhead island, slightly misnamed as it’s actually connected by a land bridge, offers an excellent place from which to launch an exploration of Lake Wylie.
How to do it:
There are four concrete boat launches on the “mainland” next to the island as well as bathrooms and a large parking lot.
Once you’ve launched, take some time to go around the island and along the reserve’s shoreline. Spotting turtles and heron are a near guarantee, but you could spot an eagle if you’re lucky.
From there, it’s a choose-your-own adventure paddle, with plenty of back-water coves and water-front mansions to gawk at.
Congaree National Park
At water level, the scene at Congaree National Park would look right at home in an old dinosaur movie. Huge cyprus trees tower over a collection of oxbow lakes, each connected by the dark, slow moving waters of Cedar Creek. And the loblolly pine tower over them (the champion tree stretches 167 feet high and is 15 feet around!).
Not much direct sunlight makes it all the way to the river. But this place is thick with life. Frogs call from every direction while turtles warm themselves on downed logs. Fox and deer run through the dense forest.
Paddling here is slow. It’s primordial. And it’s like no other experience within 300 miles.
How to do it:
The park is about 1.5 hours from Charlotte.
There are three river access points (in order from upriver to down):
Bannister’s Point
Cedar Creek (the only one inside the park)
Route 106 Landing
For a day trip, put in at Bannister’s Point and paddle to Cedar Creek. It’s about 6 miles and the park suggests allowing 4 to 6 hours (although, maneuvering over or around downed logs could add to that time).