Make a group reservation to guarantee that there will be equipment at your desired rental location! Groups of 4 boats or more are invited. You can also choose an on-water kayak guide to join you to provide kayaking skills instruction and information about the area and the Riverkeeper!
Locations and Kayak Experiences
South Fork River at The Boathouse
- The Boathouse and Launch Address: 115 Willow Road, McAdenville, NC 28101
- Come to the Catawba Riverkeeper's Boathouse to launch onto the South Fork River. You can easily paddle upstream for 1 mile until you reach the rocky shoals and then float back down. You have 90-minutes to take your time and explore this historic mill section of the river.
- Your reservation includes a single or tandem kayak, paddle and PFD along with safety instruction and basic paddling instruction on-land.
- You have the option to add a Kayak Guide to join you on the water.
- Capacity: 10 single kayaks and 3 tandem kayaks
- Age minimum: 4 years of age in a tandem with an adult. 8 years of age in a kayak alone accompanied by an adult in another kayak.
- Your must be 18 years of age to purchase tickets.
- Cost: $30 per rental plus optional $25 for a kayak guide.
Flatwater on Lake Wylie
- Kevin Loftin Park and Launch Address: East, 1400 Catawba St, Belmont, NC 28012
- Come to Kevin Loftin Park to launch onto the Catawba River. You can paddle between the two bridges for 90-minutes.
- Kevin Loftin Park offers a playground, fishing pier, picnic shelters and bathrooms.
- Your reservation includes a single or tandem kayak, paddle and PFD along with safety instruction and basic paddling instruction on-land.
- You have the option to add a Kayak Guide to join you on the water.
- Capacity: 10 single kayaks and 3 tandem kayaks
- Age minimum: 4 years of age in a tandem with an adult. 8 years of age in a kayak alone accompanied by an adult in another kayak.
- Your must be 18 years of age to purchase tickets.
- Cost: $30 per rental plus optional $25 for a kayak guide.
Slow Flow on the South Fork River
- Two launch locations.
- McAdenville Launch: 501 Lakeside Drive, McAdenville, NC 28101
- Centennial Launch: 141 8th Ave, Cramerton, NC 28032
- Meet at either location to launch onto the South Fork River. You can easily paddle downstream or upstream between the launches and even to Riverside Park in Cramerton and back.
- Time choices: 90-minutes or 2 hours to take your time and explore this historic mill section of the river.
- Both McAdenville and Cramerton offers restaurant's for lunch and dinner along with other shops through their quaint small town.
- Your reservation includes a single or tandem kayak, paddle and PFD along with safety instruction and basic paddling instruction on-land.
- Your reservation also includes a shuttle from either location to bring you back to your car at either launch site.
- You have the option to add a Kayak Guide to join you on the water.
- Capacity: 10 single kayaks and 3 tandem kayaks
- Age minimum: 4 years of age in a tandem with an adult. 8 years of age in a kayak alone accompanied by an adult in another kayak.
- Your must be 18 years of age to purchase tickets.
- Cost: $40 per rental plus optional $25 for a kayak guide.
South Fork Rapids Guided Tour
- The Boathouse and Launch Address: 115 Willow Drive, McAdenville, NC 28101
- Come to The Boathouse to start your guided tour. Enjoy an authentic river experience with professional guides! A 10-minute shuttle ride will take you to Spencer Mountain where you’ll launch with 2 experienced guides who will help you navigate this beautiful 5.5-mile stretch of the South Fork of the Catawba River. This kayaking experience is great for those who are comfortable in the water but might not be experts. It is accessible to many skills levels, but includes low Class I and Class II rapids in several sections with easy moving, gentle water in between. Each trip will last approximately 3 hours and will conclude back at your car at The Boathouse.
- Your reservation includes a single kayak, paddle and PFD along with safety and skills instruction on the water from professional kayak guides along with information about this scenic section of river which is largely undeveloped and protected. This is a great eco-tour experience only 20-minutes from Charlotte!.
- Capacity: 12 single kayaks
- Age minimum: 12 years of age accompanied by an adult. in another kayak.
- Your must be 18 years of age to purchase tickets.
- Cost: $50 per guest.
Deadline to Purchase Tickets:
You must purchase tickets by the end of the day on Wednesday for a Saturday or Sunday group reservation. If your desired date is closed, please contact Vanessa Covington, Program Director, vanessa.c@catawbariverkeeper.org to check availability.
Weather Policy:
Our policy is to host group reservations rain or shine EXCEPT in the case of severe rain, thunderstorms or lightning in the area as well as dangerous water level. If we have to cancel an event due to weather, we will provide a refund to all ticketed guests. We will do our best to notify guests of cancellations at least 2 hours in advance.
Refund Policy:
You may cancel your ticket up to 24 hours before your scheduled date. If we must cancel due to weather or water level, your ticket will be fully refunded within 48 hours after your scheduled date and time.
We educate and advocate to protect the Catawba-Wateree River Basin’s lakes, rivers and streams for everyone who depends on and enjoys them.
Thank you for your interest and support of the Catawba Riverkeeper, a 501c3 organization.
The Catawba-Wateree River Basin encompasses 26 counties, 8900 miles of waterways, 5000 square miles of land and a 225 mile stretch of continuous river from Lake James in NC to Lake Marion in SC.
Find more Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation Events and Travel & Outdoor events in McAdenville
Share 