Roanoke River Partners, NC

Historically, the Roanoke River in North Carolina provided a transporation route for lumber, cypress shingles, fish and other products. The river swamps also provided cover for runaway slaves and illegal stills during prohibition while the high banks of the river offered vantage points for forts during wars. Today the river serves the local industries and municipalities.

The Roanoke River is home to black bear, river otter, white-tail deer, bobcat, beaver and mink. And for bird watchers there are over 200 bird species including bald eagles, barred owl, osprey, great egrets and great blue herons. The River is also abundant with striped bass, largemouth bass, black crappie, lunker catfish, gar and bowfin.

Thanks to the Roanoke River Partners there are now unique camping opportunities available in the swamps of the Roanoke and Cashie Rivers. Newly constructed camping platforms provide camping from Weldon to the Albemarble Sound. This type of camping provides a unique experience throughout the diverse habitats of the river basin. Visit the Roanoke River Partners Web site.

If the hardy platform camping of the Roanoke River Trails is not your style, or if you would like to diversify your paddling experience, there are several commercial campgrounds located in the area. One such campground is the Green Acres Family Campground located in Williamston, NC. The Green Acres Family Campground is only a short driving distance from many of the Roanoke River Paddle Trails and a short distance from North Carolina coastal paddling opportunities.      

Eastern Paddling - Whitewater Paddling in Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia.

Some of the most informative paddling information often comes from Web site content written from the perspective of the serious local paddler. As much as I enjoy reading content written by the top professional paddlers or gear manufacturers, there is nothing more interesting than following the adventures of a true paddler who hits the same waters I’ve always intended to paddle.

Easternpaddling.com is a whitewater paddling site I discovered a few years ago and is partly responsible for the whitewater paddling hobby I have today. Unfortunately I moved hours away from these rivers and creeks before I had the chance to experience many of the them. The Eastern Paddling Web site has a focus on some of Western Pennsylvania’s best known whitewater paddling, and you’ll also find information regarding top whitewater in Maryland and West Virginia.

Check it out for yourself! http://www.easternpaddling.com/

Pennsylvania Whitewater Paddling Information:

• Youghiogheny Paddling
• Slippery Rock Paddling
• Stoney Creek Paddling
• Loyalhannah Paddling
• Tionesta Paddling

 West Virginia and Maryland Whitewater Paddling Information:

• Potomac Paddling
• New River Gorge
• Gauley