A Guide to Kayaking Across the North Carolina Piedmont Overview
Some of the best fun you will have is on a simple human-powered vessel. The North Carolina Piedmont, from Hickory to Charlotte to Greensboro and more has some of the best kayaking spots. It may not be completely white waters like in the Appalachians. However, if you’re looking for a peaceful adventure, you’re lucky!
I hope you get the chance to enjoy some of these calming but adventurous places. Please remember to leave these places better than you found and be safe on the water. Now enjoy the day!
Goat Island at Cramerton North Carolina
If you love to paddle but hate the boat traffic and the sweltering heat of an open lake, there’s an option for you! Nestled along the somewhat sleepy mill town of Cramerton, NC is the muddy but beautiful Catawba South Fork River. This mini waterway is at the heart of Cramerton, along with Goat Island, a decent-sized island created by the river forking through to the right of the island. The island exists as a public park, consisting of disc golf, a fishing pier, a kayak launch, walking trails, and more per Gaston County.
What you’re probably interested in is that kayak launch. Well, let me tell you about the river and then we can get right into what the perfect day of paddling looks like on the Catawba South Fork River. Along this river exists many small and similar mill towns: Belmont, Cramerton, McAdenville, and more. This river works as the perfect source of power for mills in the area. Back in the day, North Carolina was a textile superpower. Textile mills made up the economy here. Today, that’s gone, but you can still still see the remains of what was. This is evident by the dams along the river, the mill houses in these towns, and the mills themselves, repurposed for other uses now.
Paddling the Catawba South Fork River
Okay, enough of that, let’s get into the kayaking. In Cramerton, there are two places to launch. Downtown Cramerton has a launch next to the bridge that goes across to Goat Island. I don’t personally recommend this place because there is little parking. You will be better off going to C.B. Huss River Access. Ample parking exists at this access and you will have a short portage down to the river. Some steps will take you and your kayak down.
Once you are in, you have the option to go downriver or upriver. I always recommend to people that going upriver first is always best. The flow of the river gets strong and venturing down will force you to paddle up the current on the way back. If you take my advice and head upstream, you’ll have a lovely adventure. Along the river, there will be thick vegetation and large trees, some of which have fallen in. You’ll come up to the US74 bridge, then reach some apartments on your right and a housing development on your left. Passing the bridge, you might notice the river current starting to increase. This is due to the McAdenville Dam that was used to power the McAden Mill. Originally built in 1884, this dam still stands, producing a massive waterfall. But, you’ll have to push through the current to get here. You know you’re close when you hear the sounds of rushing water in the distance.
Once at the dam, feel free to explore the little island and rocks that exist just at the foot. This is a great spot to have some lunch, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery. When you’re ready, head back down the river. With some simple paddling, this will be a swift ride back. If you still have some energy, this is a perfect time to paddle around Goat Island in Cramerton and check out the historic train bridge.
Just past C.B. Huss River Access, you’ll come across Goat Island. I always like to go up the little waterway that should be on your left. It may be too shallow, but if it’s not, you’ll get to enjoy the shade in this little backwater. Once you go over the Goat Island footbridge and pop out to the main river, you’ll pass some mill houses and come across two bridges. The second bridge carries the main Norfolk Southern line across the Catawba South Fork River. Most likely built at the turn of the century with the railroad, this bridge gives off ancient Roman vibes with its sandy color texture and big arches.
From here, feel free to explore as you desire. The river continues until it hits another dam way down. I always like to stay near Goat Island and then head back to my car as it’s most likely been a long day. Whatever you do, be safe and have fun!
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