Guest Appreciation Day

Each year we like to dedicate a day to say thank you to our paddling friends.  We begin with on-water paddling demonstrations followed by fun and educational events for both young and old.  There will be opportunities to try out and buy used canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards along with corresponding paddles and PFDs.  Bring any outdoor gear you would like to sell, swap or unload.

We will provide chili and ice tea.  Bring something-else to eat or drink to share with others.  The day will conclude with an early evening bonfire.

Rental Trips Available

Rental Trip Availability

The Haw River is a naturally running river. This means there needs to be rain in the watershed to guarantee downriver, whitewater trips. When there hasn’t been recent rain, it is the water impounded behind the dams at Bynum and Saxapahaw that enables us to consistently run flat-water river trips. It is difficult to guarantee what rental trips we have available on any given day (due to water levels), so it is best to call and ask what we have available.

Trips that are almost always available include:

Saxapahaw Lake and upriver –
Weekend start times for this trip are 10:00 am, Noon and 2:00 pm.
During weekdays this trip can go out anytime between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
Boats must be back by 5:00 pm.

Single kayaks, stand up paddleboards, tandem kayaks, and tandem canoes are available for this section of river.

Bynum Upriver (based out of our Bynum Outpost at the 15-501 paddle access on the Haw River) – Weekend start times for this trip are 10:00 am, Noon and 2:00 pm.
During weekdays this trip is available only by advanced request.

Single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and canoes are available for this section of river.

Swepsonville River Park to Saxapahaw Lake –
Weekend start times for this trip are 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.
Advanced registration is preferred. We need at least an hour notice to add guests onto this trip. If you would like to go on the 11:00 am trip, it is highly recommended that you register at least the day before.
When we have had enough rain in the watershed to offer whitewater river trips, we only provide Sit-On- Top kayaks.
Please disregard the schedule below that shows the start time of 9:00 am. and feel free to call and ask what rental trips are available, and when they go out.

single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and canoes are available for this section of river.

Guided Haw River Fishing Trip

The Haw River in North Carolina’s Piedmont has become a favorite river to fish for both novice and experienced anglers.  It offers a diversity of fish habitats to include head-water streams, deep pools, rocky shallows, slow-flowing flat-water reaches and rapids.  The best time of the year to catch fish is during the spring spawn from January to early March of each year.

This weekend fishing trip begins the first day when guests meet at 9:00 a.m. at The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. in Saxapahaw, NC.  We will leave from there to fish various upriver habitats.  That night, guests are free to return home or enjoy the many eateries and attractions in Saxapahaw.  Lodging is the responsibility of our guests; however, we can make recommendations as to where to find a place to stay that meets your budget and personal needs.  The next day, we will fish a different down-river stretch.  Our fishing adventure will conclude by 5:00 p.m. the second day so that guests have plenty of time to return home.

Fees: The trip fee is $235.00 per person.  A canoe or kayak, PFD, paddle, lunch both days, bait and an experienced fishing guide/naturalist are provided.  If fishing gear is needed, there is an additional $50.00/person cost.

Guests are responsible for transportation to and from The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co., fishing gear (to include rod, reel, line and artificial lures), freshwater fishing license, appropriate clothing for the time of year, a waterproof bag for extra clothes and gear, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, light-weight rain gear and foot wear that can get dirty and/or wet.

Black River Canoe/Kayak Camping Trip

The Black River is a slow-flowing black-water river and swamp.  It originates in Sampson County, NC and flows in a southeasterly direction until it empties into the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, NC.  Approximately 25 miles of the river have been identified as having outstanding scenic and natural significance.  In addition to having the oldest tress in the Eastern United States (some bald cypress trees are over 1600 years old), the area offers wonderful opportunities for observing neo-tropical migrating birds, outstanding natural communities, abundant wildlife and rare and endangered pants.  Fishing for bass, sunfish and catfish are excellent.  For those with an interest in history, evidence of past steamboat activity can be seen.

This weekend canoe camping trip begins at 9:00 a.m. on the first day at the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boat launch off Sampson County Route 1100; approximately 0.5 miles south of Ivanhoe, NC.  We will float approximately 10 miles of the river through sandhill and swamp environments before reaching the take-out and campsite at Henry’s Landing.

After running the shuttle the next morning, we will float and paddle downriver to and through “The Narrows” and “Three Sisters” areas.  It is in this stretch of the river that we see the largest concentration of ancient bald cypress trees.  Our take-out will be at Hunt’s Bluff, approximately 1.0 mile south of Highway 54 near Atkinson, NC.  We should reach the take-out by 4:00 p.m.

Fees: The trip fee is $230.00 per person.  A canoe or kayak, PFD, paddle, lunch both days, dinner one evening, breakfast the second day and an experienced guide/naturalist are provided.

Guests are responsible for transportation to and from the put-in and take-out, tent & sleeping bag, appropriate clothing for the time of year, a waterproof bag for extra clothes and gear, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, light-weight rain gear and foot wear that can get dirty and/or wet.

Explore Saxapahaw – Weekend Getaways

Escape the stress of busy schedules and experience the quiet, historic village of Saxapahaw with all-inclusive getaway packages for couples, groups and corporate retreats. You relax while we handle all of the details which include lodging at River Landing Inn, a comfortable, four-room bed-and-breakfast, dining at The Eddy, and nature-based paddling with The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.
Specially-designed weekends help couples rejuvenate their relationships or anyone to get away for a much-needed period of relaxation. Customized corporate retreats combine comfortable meeting space, wine-and-cheese breaks and teambuilding activities with escapes onto the river and other amenities.

Bynum Upriver Paddle

Because of its biological and ecological signifcance, land on both sides of the Haw River upriver of the dam at Highway 15-501 in Bynum is part of the Haw Slopes State Natural Area.

A diversity of habitats includes rich forested slopes, islands, rocky outcrops and wetlands. Both rare and ancient plants are found along the shore. Great blue herons, belted kingfishers, Canada geese, red-tail hawks and eagles are commonly seen while paddling. Occasionally, deer, beaver and muskrats present themselves.

Flat-water upriver of the dam is especially well-suited for both the beginner paddler and anyone intersted in nature. Parents paddling with children find the experience particularly gratifying.

Fee: $40 per person with the canoe/kayak provided.

Paddle Brunch

Weekends are for recharging the mind, body and spirit. What better way to do that than to eat a nutritious meal of locally-grown food prepared by folks who know how to make it delicious, then exercise the body and renew the spirit while paddling on the Haw River?
The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. has partnered with the Saxapahaw General Store and the Pittsboro Roadhouse to offer a relaxing brunch followed by a river trip. Getting in touch with our natural surroundings will be the focus of this 2.5 hour paddle.

Fee: $60 per person with the canoe/kayak provided.
*The fee includes brunch with beverage.

Homeschool Educational Trips

Whether your child’s interest is environmental science, biology, or history, the Haw presents an excellent opportunity to engage with an important feature of North Carolina! Homeschooler Expeditions offer a chance for homeschoolers to engage in stream monitoring procedures, and to learn about the history of the Haw, while spending time enjoying the outdoors. These guided trips will point out ecological features and will introduce students to the processes by which the river changes and supports life. Please note, all events occur at 3:00 pm except for events on 9/21 and 10/20, which begin at 8:00 pm.

No prior paddling experience required for this trip, students and families welcome.

Fee: $45 for first family member, $30 for all subsequent family members

Call (336) 260-6465 for reservations

Paddle & Patio Party

A variation on our popular paddle dinner. Enjoy a leisurely two to three hour paddle on the Upper Haw River. This afternoon guided river trip ends with a visit to Grove Vineyards & Winery, where guests sit back and enjoy a Patio Pizza Party with a dinner consisting of pizza, salad and a beverage of your choice. A relaxing afternoon on the water followed by a memorable winery experience is a wonderful way to spend a day.

Fee: $60 per person with the canoe/kayak provided.
*The fee includes the pizza dinner and a glass of wine or beverage of your choice.

Picnic & Paddle

Spirit Island in the Haw River is located just downriver from a dam and powerhouse
that in the early part of the twentieth century supplied electricity to a textile mill in
Swepsonville, NC. Today, the Island is remote, wild, peaceful and a wonderful place to
escape the stresses of an urban lifestyle.

We begin this canoe and/or kayak trip at the Swepsonville River Park Access paddling a short distance to spirit island and the puryear portage.  We will stop on the river just after the portage for a picnic lunch!Following lunch, our paddle will take us downriver to Saxapahaw. Because of the remote nature
of this stretch of river, birds and wildlife are easily seen. Volcanic rock outcrops along
the shoreline show evidence of an interesting geologic past. Guests are asked to bring a picnic style lunch packed in a waterproof container.  (no glass items please)

Fee: $45 per person with the canoe/kayak provided.