haw river canoe & kayak

Very easy river to maneuver on and would be excellent to teach beginners on how to canoe or kayak. We went in the heat of the day and the only wildlife seen was turtles, eagle, heron, and egrets. We hope to try kayaking in the fall for the colors. The only drawback was there was really no place to stop ashore to rest or picnic--brush too thick. We did find the hidden dock they mentioned we could use, which we did for lunch. The canoe folks are great and very informative; very helpful in every respect.

Today was my 3rd kayak trip with Haw River Canoe & Kayak - and it was another amazing day. Each of the trips have been local and for only a few hours. I've had a different guide each time and each time they have been well versed in this river and helping people enjoy it. They are very flexible and offer a range of events to choose from. I think their prices are very reasonable. A couple of the trips I've been on have included teenagers, but not young children. Sometimes I think it's easier to reach them by phone verses internet - but that would be my only complaint.

Our family opted for a guided trip for our first evening excursion on the water. It was a lot of fun! Jacob and Corey (our guides) were friendly and knowledgeable.This part of the review is not a criticism of the business but just a word of advice:We were part of a group of around 15 (+2 guides), so it was a fairly big group. We learned the hard way that the size and composition of the group definitely has an impact on your stargazing experience. It was a lovely clear night, and the stars were beautiful. However, there were several in the group who decided that a quiet night on the river was a great time to chat loudly. There was also a 20-something guy who sang to his companion for a good portion of the trip. Talk about obnoxious! Ugh. Bottom line: if you want to really appreciate nature, opt for a self-guided trip or be prepared for listening to more than mother nature when you go.One suggestion would be to allow for a few "rests" along the way to enjoy the beautiful sky.Overall, it was a great experience for our family and we will definitely go back for another paddling excursion.

Talk about customizing your own trip! Whether you're looking for 2 hrs or 2 days on the water, there's A LOT to choose from here incuding a variety of 3-11 mile sections of the Haw River using your own or rented canoes, kayaks, or paddle boards. Approx. $40-$50 per boat rental or $20 shuttle fee per boat. Choose from easy 2 hr beginning experiences, challenging class 4 rapids, half day excursions, guided trips, moonlight trips, courses, camps, & even overnight camping trips for the more adventurous. There really is something for everyone!Since our 2 families had varying skill levels, we booked 3 canoes for 5 adults & 3 children (ages 5, 8, & 11) for the 1/2 day (3.5-4hr) "Saxapahaw and upriver" option. Although there are many difficulty levels to choose from, this section is between 2 dams & has periodic sand bars & a couple of islands on which to stop for a swim or lunch break. We took our time, stopped to swim & explore a couple of times, & had lunch on the first large island with plenty of time to make it back without breaking the relaxing atmosphere on the water.We all chose to wear our bathing suits under our dry clothes to help get us on the water sooner, although there is a small, very old bathroom upstairs above the office. Each family brought a medium sized cooler with lunch, snacks, & drinks. We also brought a small backpack per family for sunscreen, keys, phone, etc. (in zip lock bags of course). All fit perfectly in the canoes between paddlers & could be passed from boat to boat along the way as needed. Appropriate sized paddles & life jackets were provided as well as transportation to the site & basic instruction. The staff were all patient, helpful, & friendly without being too intrusive. I would be completely comfortable using any one of them as a guide (additional charge). At the end of your trip, if you catch the van dropping someone else off, you can get a ride back to the office. Otherwise, you leave the canoes on the bank & walk the short distance back down the gravel road when you're done. This is not as inconvenient as it might sound since they drop you off near the office for this trip & send you up river. You come back down river when you're done to the same drop off point.There was plenty of wildlife to view during our leisurely paddle upriver including various fish, turtles, butterflies, clams, a blue heron, a couple of loons, & a bald eagle. There are also plenty of shallow & deep areas for food breaks & swimming along the way, but there's only a little bit of a current. It's a perfect place to teach beginners the difference between swimming in a river/lake vs. a public pool without anyone floating away too far downstream. I believe fishing is also allowed if you have a license. This would also be a great date activity or group activity for family, friends, or teens. My family will definitely go back & tackle new sections of the river soon.

Not far from Chapel Hill (20 miles - 30 from Durham) lies the little crossroads of Saxapahaw. 20 years ago it was a dying mill town. Now, thanks to the renovation of some of the mill buildings into condos and apartments, it's becoming a trendy place to go. Not much there, yet. But the old general store is now The General Store, with upscale beers and snacks on their shelves and a very nice grill menu. Just next door, is the Eddy, an upscale restaurant that's always been packed when we've gone by on weekends. And the centerpiece of this little development is the Haw River Ballroom, whose listings boast more impressive acts all the time. During the day, it's open as a coffee shop with a great, elevated view of the river.What's been there all along is the Haw River Canoe and Kayak Company (HRCK). They offer a wide variety of ways to get on the river. There is a lake above the dam that offers smooth out and back paddling, with an island for picnics and even camping for the more adventurous. On the weekend, their website lists which of many trips they are offering- both full and half day. But with a "group" as small as two, you can contact them and request the trip of your choice - difficulty (there's only beginner and intermediate), length, and which part of the river you'd like to see.The river is beautiful. There's virtually no sign of civilization once you leave whichever bridge you put in from. The paddling is easy. There's a nice current, and almost all of the whitewater is Class I. The people who run HRCK are friendly and helpful. If you're looking for something a little out of the ordinary (and a little out of town) while in Chapel Hill, we highly recommend giving this a try. It will take you back to the slower pace of life that this area was famous for not so long ago.