Flat Water Paddling in Charlotte, NC

Made possible by

Featured Articles

About Charlotte Flat Water Paddling

Recommendations by

Total Experiences

6 reviews

More Charlotte Activities

View Charlotte
Displaying all 6 results within 100 miles
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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
Not here? Tell us what we’re missing.
If the experience you’re looking for isn’t here, contribute!
Got search feedback? Help us improve.

Related Stories

  1. An Insider’s Guide to Charlotte’s Booming Road Cycling Scene
    by Ann Gibson
    Charlotte's road cycling scene is flourishing due to community advocates, a focus on healthy living, and a commitment to infrastructure.
  2. How Ironman Athletes Train in Charlotte
    by Ann Gibson
    Two Charlotte-area triathletes reveal their training strategies for the Ironman World Championships.
  3. SUP Charlotte: How and Where Launch Your Board in the Queen City
    by Ann Gibson
    Here’s everything you need to know to stand-up paddleboard in and around Charlotte this summer.
  4. What Type of Charlotte Runner Are You?
    by Rob Glover
    Whether you’ve just finished your first 5K or are planning your next 100-miler, the Charlotte area has a variety of solid training options for everyone.
  5. Biking the Backroads and Trails of Gaston County
    by Ann Gibson
    Just west of Charlotte, N.C., Gaston County has become a major cycling destination where both roadies and mountain bikers can find incredible rides.
    6. See All Stories in Charlotte, NC