Guided Tours: Paddles & Hikes

Our newest experience! Join us on a unique experience as we embark on a challenging hike to the source spring of the Catawba River, where it all begins. Property owners Richard and Melinda Halford have taken us on many adventures to the spring in the past and we are happy to offer this unique experience to a select few guests. Our journey starts a couple of miles upstream of the popular Catawba Falls where the mighty Catawba is but a trickle. We follow the route of an 1800s wagon trail towards the continental divide along hungry gap passing the ruins of past homesteads, rugged landscape, and hearing tales from centuries past. We will finish our trip with appetizers and dinner by the fire trading stories and cooking smores.  

PLEASE NOTE: This is an advanced hike with unmaintained trails, steep and rugged terrain, and challenging descent down to the spring. Hiking boots, hiking poles, and experienced outdoor enthusiasts recommended. The hike is roughly 3-4 miles.

Rain date: February 18th

Click here to register.

Enjoy a moderate hike in the popular Linville gorge to view Linville Falls. Our hike will start at the Linville Falls Trail and Waterfall Parking Area. We will then journey on an out and back hike along the river for a spectacular view of the falls and the gorge. We will then commute to Hillman Beer in Morganton for an optional social gathering with South Fork Watershed Manager, Ámbar Torres Molinari. 

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Get the paddling season started off right! Join us on the water starting from the most northern blueway access point and ending in the mouth of the beautiful Lake James, The first of the 11 Lakes in our basin. Along the way we will experience class 1 shoals and gently flowing water, a secret non-native cypress swamp, and enjoy a BYO lunch by the river with Northern Basin Watershed Manager, Grant Buckner. 

On-the-water time: 3.5-4.5 hours

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Experience a new amenity of our basin mixed with a classic. Join us at the newly constructed Muddy Creek Access for a lengthy paddle down a section of Muddy Creek passing the Old Catawba down to the Confluence with the more popular Bridgewater section of the Catawba. This is an intermediate to advanced paddle considering the class 2 rapids and 9.5-mile length of the trip. Enjoy BYO lunch riverside with Northern Basin Watershed Manager, Grant Buckner.

On-the-water time: 5-6 hours 

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Explore a rarely traveled section of the Catawba while receiving a Level 1 Introduction to River Running and Water Safety Clinic from Mission Support Manager and American Canoe Association Instructor Greg Nance. Learn the ins and outs of paddling, what to bring, and the planning and preparation that goes in to safely exploring rivers. Each guest will receive an L1 ACA Skills Completion Certificate. 

On-the-water time: 2-3 hours

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Lookout Shoals is rarely explored due to the length of the stretch that must be paddled to utilize public access points. Lucky for you we have connections! Enjoy a gently flowing stretch of water into the mouth of Lake Lookout where some days the water runs crystal clear and bald eagles are seen commonly. 

On-the-water time: 2.5-3.5 hours

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Paddle a section of Dutchman’s creek and out of the mouth of lake Wylie to Tailrace Marina, one of our longtime Riversweep sites. Discuss the impacts Dutchman’s Creek has on Lake Wylie and the History of Mount Holly and Tailrace Marina. Enjoy Food and beverages afterwards at Firehawk brewpub with Riverkeeper, Brandon Jones. 

On-the-water time: 2.5-3.5 hours

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Enjoy a nice paddle down the first part of the longest free flowing section of the Catawba River in the Basin. Gently Flowing to class 1 shoals down the most popular tubing section of the Catawba. 

On-the-water time: 3-4 hours

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Journey down the Catawba with members of Catawba Nation to speak about culture and Ryan to speak about the initiatives of Sugar Creek and Environmental Justice. Lunch on Goat Island. 

On-the-water time: 4-5 hours

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Paddle the first 7 miles of the 75-mile free flowing Wateree River with Southern Basin Watershed Manager, Rachael Rosenstien, and discuss initiatives around the Lake Wateree draw down. 

On-the-water time: 3.5-4.5 hours

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Join us for a 7.5-mile bike ride down the Palmetto Trail crossing the Wateree River, and discuss the history of this area and the Wateree River. 

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Join Catawba Riverkeeper Brandon Jones and the Congaree Riverkeeper for a three-mile hike and a discussion about the basins and how riverkeepers around the country work together to protect our Rivers. 

Click here to register.