ROANOKE RIVER (North Carolina)

Camping Platform (photo by Carl Gallie, courtesy Roanoke River Partners -- see information below)

General Description & Characteristics-- The Roanoke River rises in several branches in the mountainous area south and west of Roanoke, Virginia.   The two main branches (North and South Forks) come together near Roanoke to form the main stem, which flows southeastwardly across the Piedmont region of south central Virginia and into North Carolina.  Confusingly, it is also known as the Staunton River in Virginia, not to be confused with a smaller river of that official name in the northern part of the state.  The Roanoke River suffers several impoundments, the last of which is Roanoke Rapids Lake near the town of that name.  This reservoir is located at the "fall line", the escarpment which delineates the Atlantic coastal plain.  Below this dam, a few rapids prevail for several miles, then the Roanoke River becomes a wandering, swampy river, suitable for an extended canoe camping trip.  It enters Albemarle Sound just downstream from the town of Plymouth, North Carolina, being at that point the largest river in North Carolina.

Location & Canoeable Mileage -- Skipping the few miles of rapids just below Roanoke Rapids Lake, you can put in at a public boat ramp in Weldon.  A trip of 120 miles will take you to the town Plymouth.  This section always has sufficient water for canoeing, and should take 6-8 days depending on flow, season, and your pace.  There are several intermediate access points including highway 258, the town of Hamilton, highway 13/17 (Williamston), and the town of Jamesville.  Each of these has a public ramp with parking.  There is one last public ramp on the river downstream from Plymouth at highway 45/308, and those who wish to finish the river can paddle into Albemarle Sound and take out at a private Marina located just a few hundred yards up Kendrick Creek in Mackeys.  This is about 6 miles fromt the mouth of the Roanoke River, and it is recommended only for sea kayaks or other craft suitable for open water navigation.

Interesting Features -- Due to the historic flooding that occurred on the Roanoke River (now limited by flood control reservoirs), the coastal region has little streamside development, except at those places where the river comes to the edge of its flood plain and there is some high ground.  The towns of Hamilton, Williamston, and Jamesville can be visited along the way.  The lower Roanoke contains some of the most secluded swamplands in this part of the country.

Be aware of the water release regimen at the Roanoke Rapids dam (see link below).  The level of the river can fluctuate significantly based on this release, which may affect your paddling and/or camping situation.

Camping -- Thanks to its seclusion, the lower Roanoke offers excellent opportunities for remote camping experiences.  Camping is allowed along the river on most state wildlife management land, but it is prohibited on the Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge.  Other land along the river would be in private ownership, so if you camp above the high water line, be sure to seek permission and respect the rights of landowners. 

On the lowest sections of the river, Roanoke River Partners has established some platform camp sites along the river and on tributary streams and swamps.  These are available by reservation.   For an interesting alternative to a typical riverside camp, contact this organization for more information:  http://www.roanokeriverpartners.org/   .

Additional Information:

Canoeing Information	A Paddler's Guide to Eastern North Carolina (Book)
Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service	Blue Heron Canoe and Kayak Adventures (Weldon) (252)536-2780
River Flow Data	USGS Gauge at Roanoke Rapids (upstream from Halifax) If you have difficulty obtaining data from this link, CLICK HERE
Parks on/near the River	.
Towns/Other Locales on/near the River	Halifax County Plymouth Martin County (Williamston)
Books	Paddling Eastern North Carolina A Paddler's Guide to Eastern North Carolina Vision Quest: A Visual Journey Through North Carolina's Lower Roanoke River Basin
More Pictures	.
Environmental Issues/Organizations	.
Acknowledgments/Contributors	Roanoke River Partners and Roanokeriver.com (see links below)
Miscellaneous	Roanoke River Partners is an independent non-profit group of organizations & individuals formed to create a positive, healthy vision and future for our unique region—the Roanoke River, Albemarle Sound and their communities. Roanokeriver.com is dedicated to increasing awareness of the Roanoke River and encouraging responsible development for economic benefit to the people who live in its basin Roanoke River Basin Association

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