Flatwater Paddling Destinations near Charlotte NC

Featured Articles

Flat Water Paddling

McDowell Nature preserve

Flat Water Paddling

Congaree National Park - Flat Water Paddling

Flat Water Paddling

Catawba River - Paddling

Flat Water Paddling

Mountain Island Lake - Flat Water Paddling

About Charlotte Flat Water Paddling

The Catawba River has been popular with flat water paddlers ever since local Indians first carved canoes out of giant Poplar trees. More recently, the river has been dammed in three locations near Charlotte, creating lakes Norman, Mountain Island, and Wylie. Developments along other waterways are creating new opportunities for exploring the central piedmont’s rich aquatic biodiversity.

The Catawba River forms the western boundary of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Several access points allow for different experiences on the river. On the eastern short, the U.S. National White Water Center offers kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals. Just up river, a private parking lot and launch gives a convenient access for those who have their own craft. And down south in Rock Hill, SC, River Park is a 3 mile paddle downstream from the Riverwalk launch.

Lake Norman, at 34 miles long, offers a huge amount of space for all manner of waterborne activities. Mountain Island Lake, west of Charlotte, is smaller but more peaceful as much of the shoreline is protected from development. Latta Plantation offers easy access to a very pretty area of the lake.

Total Experiences

6 reviews

More Charlotte Activities

View Charlotte

Displaying all 6 results within 100 miles

Riverwalk - Flatwater Kayak

The Catawba River section just below the Lake Wylie Dam flows mostly flat and smooth. Several put-ins along this stretch allow for multiple mileage paddles.

Difficulty

2 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

17.4 miles

Duration

Total time depends on the length of paddle. There's enough to see just off the put in at Riverwalk.
Catawba River - Paddling

The wide, gentle flow of the Catawba River near the USNWC makes for a great day of kayaking or SUPing. Share the water with osprey, turtles, and heron during the day or experience a full moon paddle on the river

Difficulty

2 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

11.7 miles

Duration

From the Belmont put in to the USNWC and back should take around two hours paddle time but there's plenty of other areas to explore further on.
Congaree National Park - Flat Water Paddling

Meta: Paddle through an incredibly biodiverse floodplain. Stands of huge, bottom growth hardwoods tower over nutrient rich waters filled an amazing array of flour and fauna.

Difficulty

2 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

95.2 miles

Duration
Landsford Canal State Park - Flat Water Kayak

Famous for harboring large stands of spider lilies in the spring, Landsford Canal is a beautiful paddle through historic sits and rocky shoals.

Difficulty

2 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

28.9 miles

Duration

Paddling from one end of the park to the next should take around three hours, but exploring north of the park can take as long as you like.
Mountain Island Lake - Flat Water Paddling

Kayak or SUP through quiet coves along the shoreline of Mountain Island Lake. The least developed of the big three Catawba River fed lakes in the area is home to fewer boats and lots of wildlife.

Difficulty

1 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

12.6 miles

Duration
McDowell Nature preserve

Copperhead Island, part of McDowell Nature Preserve, is an easy paddling access to Charlotte’s southernmost lake. SUP in and around the wooded inlets of the nature preserve or cross the lake to T-bones for lunch.

Difficulty

1 of 5 diamonds

From Downtown

12.9 miles

Duration