Want to Spend Time on the Water in the Raleigh Area? 

The Haw River offers some terrific water and nature activities with easy access from the Piedmont area of North Carolina.  With headwaters north of Greensboro, the Haw River extends approximately 110 miles until it reaches the Deep River just south of Lake Jordan - which makes the river easily accessible to anyone in the Triangle who wants to paddle, hike, camp, picnic, fish, or horseback ride.

Looking for a guided tour, or a group experience? 

The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co offers a wide variety of packages, in single or tandem kayaks or tandem canoes, from 1.5 hours to half day.

Or, if you have your own equipment, they can arrange a pick up and shuttle back to your vehicle - just call ahead.  There are also training classes, and events scheduled throughout the year - including the winter, such as the "Polar Bear Paddle".  The "Full Moon Paddles" are also popular and available nearly every full moon - talk about a unique experience!   Get reservation and contact information at Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.

Carolina Canoe Club 

The Carolina Canoe Club is one of many local organizations that exist to promote safe recreational use of the river. 

They offer spring paddling clinics, safety courses, river clean-ups, and a cruise schedule.  As they frequently run the river between Chicken Bridge and Jordan Lake, this club is a great resource for serious or new canoe enthusiasts. 

So how do you get to the Haw River? 

The Haw River Trail site gives a great downloadable map with 18 access points in Alamance and Chatham counties.  Go to Haw River Trail to get a great overview of the river.  Also included is a chart of ratings of each section of river. 

For instance, the Jordan Public Access gives access to 5.5 miles of river, rated I to II+ (experienced family), with several rapids at high water levels.  This area is noted as having two large islands, no visible houses, two large hunt clubs, swimming, good camping, and a migratory bird feeding ground!

Have Some Haw River History

Once you've had your fill of hiking and boating, you can also see some of the historical side of the Haw River.  The river was a popular place for textile mills and factories. 

Take a self-guided tour, or join the Haw River Assembly on one of their tours.  Check the Haw River Assembly website for latest tour and activity information.    Their environmentally friendly biodiesel bus tour goes from Saxapahaw to Altamahaw along the Haw River, visiting old cotton mills in a multitude of towns.  The guided tour will share the historical significance of these towns and their mills. 

A new Haw River State Park is currently under development, and will be created at the headwaters north of Greensboro.   The opportunities for recreation around the Haw River are increasing.  Be sure to enjoy the natural vistas sometime soon! 

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