Our most popular trip is an out-and-back on the “Saxapahaw Lake” stretch of the Haw River, just north of our town’s dam. Your day begins with a 1/4 mile lovely nature walk. The trail hugs the river, then you’ll pass the dam, and arrive to meet our staff dockside. Launch to explore and paddle at […]
Paddle down a 5.5 mile peaceful, nature-filled journey down the Haw River. We shuttle our guests and boats north of the shop, through the rural countryside, and arrive in Swepsonville, NC for your launch. The river is quiet and there is lots of wildlife on the undeveloped, woody shoreline. You’ll often see blue herons, egrets, […]
Whitewater seekers will find some Class I/I+ rapids here (depending on current water levels). Plenty of gorgeous flatwater sections too, as the Haw slices through undeveloped rural countryside. You’ll launch on our sit-on-top single kayaks in front of our shop, at the Saxapahaw Mill Race and paddle down through the Saxapahaw Rivermill area (“downtown Saxapahaw”). […]
Go on a Haw River adventure on high-quality, durable tubes! After checking in and receiving their inflated tube, life jacket, and optional paddle, guests take a short nature walk up the riverside trail and are free to put in at either Saxapahaw Lake or in the mill race under the dam. The lake offers a […]
Start your Halloween weekend on the Haw River! For this guided adventure bring your own carved Jack O’lantern that we’ll attach to the boats. Late October allows the maximum color and scenery of the Haw. Guides lead paddlers around a flatwater leisurely loop, leading to an eerie stillness as darkness descends upon the river. The […]
The Haw transitions amongst the four seasons in NC. The transition into Fall is the most striking and beautiful. Most of the banks are wooded, with a huge variety of large trees. Experience a plethora of vibrant colors and watch the wind slowly release the leaves all around. Join us on a guided paddle as […]
Spirit Island is close by, yet wayyy far away. Spectacular outdoor experience, where canoe & kayak paddling yields to camping out amongst the wildlife. The only noises out here are the blue herons, owls, and the river waltzing thru the nearby Swepsonville Dam. It’s a completely primitive 5-acre island, accessible only by boat. Your self-guided […]
It takes of a village, to keep a village. We provide our esteemed volunteers a free canoe rental, along with gloves & trash bags. You’ll have fun paddling and a bit of a workout. Most importantly, you’ll be helping in the restoration of the Haw River’s natural beauty & health. We donate the canoe rentals […]
Haw River getaway on an off-the-beaten-path gorgeous reservoir just above the Bynum Dam. There are many island channels to go explore here. Watch for herons, mink, and even bald eagles amongst the unique horsetail reed landscape. We’ll meet up at the 15-501 bridge parking lot. Your day begins with a shorter nature walk, as you […]
Where the Haw River meets Jordan Lake – “oh hi Jordan … Haw are you.” Located just below the infamous Lower Haw whitewater rapids – this is a peaceful, secluded piece of water paradise. All skill levels enjoy, including beginners. Paddling begins from the easy access floating dock at Robeson Creek Canoe Launch. Then explore scenic […]
Canoe-lovers rejoice, this is for you! This trip is based from our outpost in Glencoe, NC – a beautiful village community with lots of history. The waters here provide an idyllic setting for paddling and exploring the wildlife and fauna that surrounds. This is a two-hour, self exploratory canoe paddle. All experience levels can enjoy, […]
You’d be hard pressed to find a more gorgeous & peaceful spot in central NC than Stoney Creek. It’s located on the outskirts of Burlington and we meet-up at the Stoney Creek Marina. This is an out & back, self-exploratory paddle on flatwater. You won’t hear a lot of noise and you’re likely to spot […]
Paddling begins at Red Slide Park in the nice little town of Haw River, NC. It’s a scenic journey through largely undeveloped landscapes. Class I rapids are scattered throughout and vary depending on the water level. You’ll single kayak cruise 3.5 miles down to Graham, NC. You’ll take out at the Graham Paddle Access near […]
The Haw River hosts an abundance of wildlife: great blue herons, turtles, frogs, fish, beavers, muskrats, and even bald eagles. Whether you’d just like to look, take photos, or make a nature journal, this blog post will offer some tips to help you see more wildlife on your next river trip. While some wildlife is […]
Here’s a secret: James Gaffney is not only an accomplished river guide; he’s also a design engineer for John Deere. Now, if you met him at our outpost in Saxapahaw, you’d probably never guess that he studied mechanical engineering and works on the construction side of John Deere’s business. You’d most likely just meet the […]
During the summer, visitors descend on the village of Saxapahaw for a festive, community-wide event: Saturdays in Saxapahaw. This eclectic cultural event promises tasty food, arts, river recreation, and great live music. When do Saturdays in Saxapahaw happen? These festivals happen every Saturday afternoon from May through the end of August. The Farmer’s Market opens […]
Summer camps are proven to build confidence, bolster physical and mental health, and connect kids to the natural world and to their community. This guide will share the major benefits of giving your child a gift that will last a lifetime. Fresh air. New friends. Morning hikes in the woods. Paddling on lakes and rivers. […]
Breckin Cluff Trading Restaurant Work for Sun and Water Ask folks in the outdoor industry how they got into this line of work and you’ll often get stories of being fed up with typical jobs. Usually, the previous job either had coworkers with poor attitudes or a line of angry customers. Either way, some folks […]
Who says outdoor adventure is just for the young? Whether they are hiking or kayaking, playing pickleball or birdwatching, plenty of senior citizens are enjoying the outdoors. If you’ve reached your golden years and would like some tips for getting outdoors safely, then this guide is for you. Why You Should Get Outdoors In a […]
You don’t have to travel far to experience an authentic North Carolina wilderness. Our very own Spirit Island offers primitive camping and solitude within a short paddle of Saxapahaw. Spirit Island is a 5-acre primitive natural area that is a perfect spot for someone looking for a wilderness escape while choosing their level of adventure. […]
If you like well-written fiction with an environmental focus, check out the work of Richard Powers. This blog post will discuss the author’s two most recent novels, The Overstory and Bewilderment. Richard Powers is known for gorgeously written fiction that spans complex subjects and often include elements of science and technology. A critically acclaimed but […]
If you would like to deepen your connection to nature, try keeping a nature journal to record your observations. This daily practice will calm you and encourage you to spend more time outdoors, all while creating a record of your adventures for you to look back on. Nature journaling is a creative endeavor that anyone […]
Winter landscapes provide clearer views but also new challenges to those venturing outdoors. This blog post will share some general considerations to help you stay safe in colder weather. For many people, the colder months seem like an end to outdoor adventure, but that doesn’t have to be the case. If you want to get […]
If you’d like to expand your reading list, try reading some fiction from well-known indigenous authors. We’ve compiled three of our favorites, encompassing both classic and contemporary titles. We believe that the gift of reading is to stretch our minds in new directions, so we hope that this list helps you discover some indigenous authors. […]
Located in central North Carolina, Alamance County has quietly been expanding its hiking and camping opportunities. Discover the best parks for hiking and camping as well as for other outdoor activities. If you live in or are visiting the Alamance County area, make sure to check out the County’s local parks. Many offer a variety […]
Ever wondered how to get more out of your time in nature? This post will provide tips for using your senses to meditate and connect more deeply to the natural world. Though hiking and other nature sports have become quite popular, you may still find yourself feeling like something is missing. Maybe you’ve hiked to […]
North Carolina has ramped up its efforts to support current trails and trails-in-the-making. This blog will provide information on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the Haw River State Trail, and new efforts to add trails to fund trail-building in the state. North Carolina wants to expand its trail program to promote a healthier population. Though the Appalachian […]
This blog post will cover some of the most common injuries and dangers associated with paddling and will recommend basic first aid strategies for handling them. Know the Common Dangers While many paddlers can face a variety of emergencies (too many for one blog post to cover), there are some common first aid concerns that […]
As longtime outfitters, we’re here to tell you that women make up the majority of our kayaking clients. Not only are they usually the ones who book our trips and arrange for their loved ones to enjoy the outdoors, they also bring a valued energy that deserves attention. Women have frequently told us that kayaking […]
If you’d like to help a child appreciate the natural world, then this guide will introduce you to the need for nature connection and offer resources to get started. What is Nature-Deficit Disorder? Playing outside used to be a central component of childhood. Aside from spending time with friends, a child also had direct experience […]
Getting Outdoors in Hot Weather: Know Your Heat-related Illnesses Summertime has always been hot, but with worldwide temperatures trending ever higher, you may be wondering how to still enjoy the outdoors when you see those heat records breaking. Use this blog to learn the major hazards of exercising in hot weather. While most of […]
Stargazing is a fun activity when spending time outdoors at night, and though all those points of light can feel overwhelming, the night sky doesn’t have to be a complete mystery. Use this guide to identify some commonly seen star patterns and constellations in the Northern Hemisphere. As children, many of us were captivated by […]
If you want to learn a new skill or push a current skill to the next level, use this guide to familiarize yourself with our instructional courses. Many people will admit they like to learn, but they’ll often add that they don’t like traditional schooling. Our teaching style is outdoors and anything but traditional. Learning […]
Introducing a young person to kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing is a great way to build lasting bonds. Use this guide to help you cover the essentials for a safe, fun outdoor experience. Introducing a child to the outdoors is a privilege. You have the chance to foster a love of nature that will nurture them […]
Visit our new outposts to explore different sections of the Haw River. This guide will help you choose which outpost offers the right trip options for you and your group. Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same […]
The Haw River Trail has long been an attempt to provide conservation through recreation, a means to connect people to the Haw River Corridor by dedicating areas where they can hike, picnic, fish, or paddle. Like many conservation efforts, the HRT land trail has been developed in sections, relying on the “generosity and cooperation of […]
As you head outdoors for your next adventure, remember to educate yourself on common hazards of your area. If you’re just getting started in the outdoors, learning hazards is a wonderful strategy to become more aware of your surroundings. At the base level, you’ll learn to keep your group safe, but hazards also tune your […]
You might think of Jerry Yang as our resident vagabond. Happily living full-time out of his SUV, Jerry has arranged his life to be able to paddle, travel, and work various jobs in the outdoor industry. His story is reminiscent of Henry David Thoreau’s advice: “As long as possible live free and uncommitted. It makes […]
Weather is unpredictable, but with a little practice, you can make informed decisions about when to continue your trip, and when to reschedule. Admit it. You’ve canceled trips because of the rain. Maybe you were hyped, ready to hike or paddle, but the weather app flashed “60% chance of rain” and you bailed. Stayed inside. […]
Simon Sexton The Value of Summer Camps Many paddlers find their way to working in the outdoor industry in an organic manner. Rarely is it simply responding to a job post. Frequently, it’s either a mentor or an adventure trip that points them towards outdoor work. For Simon Sexton, that inspiration came in the form […]
Meet our new Bynum Outpost Coordinator! Ben Clarke is one of the few kayakers who will admit to being “totally unabashed” about tubing. You read that right: tubing. Most kayakers would look down on trading their plastic boat for a tube, but not Ben, who tubes not only the Haw River but has braved Class […]
You don’t have to drive to the mountains to get a remote camping feel. The Haw River Corridor offers several camping spots that provide a get-away-from-it all vibe while still being accessible to the NC Triad and Triangle areas. Hike in. Paddle in. Either way, the Haw River has a spot for you to […]
Nowadays, the ideas that living things are connected and that nature is a process of delicate balance may seem commonplace, but they were not always part of public consciousness. We now think of these things as the science of ecology, which has become the basis for much thinking about the natural world. Like many leaps […]
Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area Get hiking at Alamance County’s newest park! If you’re a hiker in central North Carolina, then you’ve probably checked out Occoneechee State Natural Area or Eno River State Park. They’re well-publicized local gems—just try finding a parking spot on the weekend!–but you may be overlooking some wonderful, less populated local […]
Winter paddling can be a lot of fun, but it requires more planning—and often, more gear—to ensure a safe trip. To newer paddlers, canoeing and kayaking may seem like warm weather sports, but those who have been paddling awhile know that colder months bring some of the best water levels to their favorite rivers. If […]
Hiking is a wonderful way to experience nature. Wherever you live, make the most of your local trails with these safety tips to ease into a new hobby. Choose a Place to Hike Hiking trails are not always well publicized, but there are probably more in your area than you realize. A simple Google search […]
If you like plants, or if you’ve wanted to develop a stronger relationship with the natural world, then check out Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants. Kimmerer is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Environmental Biology and an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. Readers appreciate […]
A National Symbol of Strength and Pride In the United States, probably no other bird is weighted with as much symbolic meaning as the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Even John James Audubon, in his Ornithological Biography, cannot restrain himself from linking the bird with the young country. Whereas most entries in this book trend towards […]
Get to Know Barry Lopez Henry David Thoreau. Rachel Carson. Most people with a passing interest in environmental writing would know these names. To Thoreau we credit the dream of retreating from society to get in touch with ourselves. To Rachel Carson we grant the awareness that our daily chemical use can have profound effects […]
When most people think of hiking in North Carolina, they immediately focus on the mountainous, western portion of the state, fixating on crown jewels like Great Smoky Mountains National Park and cities like Asheville. As a hiking destination, the North Carolina Piedmont is often overlooked (even by locals), but over the years, this area has […]