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Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin
The Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin is located in Central North Carolina. It is formed with the Yadkin River near Boone, NC and concludes with the Pee Dee River in the Atlantic Ocean in South Carolina. From the Headwaters Access below Kerr Scott Reservoir to High Rock Lake is 112 miles on the Yadkin river. It is one of the largest in the states of North and South Carolina. This is my home river basin as I live near the Yadkin River. The Yadkin Pee Dee River Basin is home to many state and national parks as well as a large numbers of rivers. In North Carolina, the major rivers include the Yadkin River, South Yadkin River, Abbotts Creek, Roaring River, Uwharrie River and Rocky River. In South Carolina, these include the Lynches River, Great Pee Dee River, Little Pee Dee River, Black River and Waccamaw River. The river basin is home to many lakes used to create hydroelectric power.
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Yadkin River
The Yadkin River begins near Boone, NC. For the next several miles to Kerr Scott Reservoir it is basically a large creek. From the Headwaters Access below Kerr Scott Reservoir to High Rock Lake is 112 miles on the Yadkin river. The Yadkin River flows through some scenic areas of the foothills and Piedmont areas of North Carolina before it reaches High Rock Lake and the first dam along the river. These 112 miles has several places to access the river by kayak and canoe. Listed below are the various places to access the river and a little information about each one. Many miles of the river is surrounded by privately owned land, but with some work and planning you are still able to put together enough miles to enjoy a weekend camping on the river. In this section there are several outfitters and places to camp. One of my favorites is Yadkin River Adventures in Rockford. Contact them to setup a day trip or a weekend float. Make sure to stop at the Rockford General Store and pickup a sandwich on their homemade bread.
Kayak Access On The Yadkin River
TAILWATER ACCESS
GPS: N 36º08.15’ W 81º13.39’
Distance to Smoot Park Access: 7.1 miles
There is a parking lot and bathroom at this access.
SMOOT PARK ACCESS
GPS: N 36º09.84’ W 81º08.09’
Distance to Ronda Access: 15.1 miles
There is a gravel lot with some parking and a bathroom
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RONDA ACCESS
GPS: N 36º12.95’ W 80º56.25’
Distance to Crater Park Access: 6.8 miles
There is a paved parking lot with a bathroom
CRATER PARK IN ELKIN ACCESS
GPS: N 36º14.50’ W 80º50.84’
Distance to Rocky Forest River Run Access: 10.7 miles
There is a parking lot with a bathroom
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ROCKY FOREST RIVER RUN ACCESS (PRIVATE)
GPS: N 36º15.25’ W 80º48.21’
Maintained by: Rocky Forest River Run, 336-469-8652
Distance to Burch Station Access: 2.5 miles
This is a private access managed by Rocky Forest River Run with private parking.
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BURCH STATION ACCESS
GPS: N 36°16'34.0" W 80°46'02.4"
Distance to Yadkin/Shore Access: 4.7 miles
There is a parking lot with a nice boat landing
YADKIN/SHORE ACCESS
GPS: N 36º16.18’ W 80º43.23’
Distance to Rockford Access: 5.0 miles
There is limited parking with a nice boat ramp. I have been told camping is permitted but unable to verify that.
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ROCKFORD ACCESS (PRIVATE)
GPS: N 36º15.35’ W 80º38.86’
Distance to Shoals Access: 11.8 miles
This is a private access owned by Yadkin River Adventures.
SHOALS ACCESS
GPS: N 36º15.45’ W 80º31.05’
Distance to Donnaha acess point: 6.9 miles
There is a gravel parking lot with a kayak access. Just past this access on river right is the paddle in camp site for Pilot Mountain State Park
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DONNAHA ACCESS
GPS: N 36º12.95’ W 80º26.02’
Distance to Old 421 Park Access: 6.6 miles including a portage
There is a large area for parking and picnics as well as a beach area for swimming. There is also a bathroom
OLD 421 PARK ACCESS
GPS: N 36º07.97’ W 80º26.65’
Distance to Huntsville Access: 5.4 miles
There is a parking lot with a bathroom, picnic tables and a playground
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HUNTSVILLE ACCESS
GPS: N 36º05.56’ W 80º30.98’
Distance to Tanglewood Access: 10.8 miles
There is a dirt entrance with limited parking
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TANGLEWOOD ACCESS
GPS: N 36º00.83’ W 80º25.01’
Distance to US 64 Access: 16.7 miles which includes a portage
There is a gravel parking lot.
US 64 ACCESS
GPS: N 35º51.40’ W 80º23.14’
Distance to NC 801 Access: 9.3 miles
There is a small parking lot with about 100 yard walk to the river.
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NC 801 ACCESS
GPS: N 35º50.30’ W 80º29.08’
Distance to Boones Cave Access: 3.5 miles
There is a gravel parking lot with a paved boat ramp.
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BOONES CAVE ACCESS
GPS: N 35º48.01’ W 80º28.02’
Distance to York Hill Access: 9.5 miles
This entrance is through Boones Cave Park. There is camping, but not along the river. There is also picnic tables and bathrooms. There is a cave to explore, but access to the park is restricted at night.
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YORK HILL ACCESS
GPS: N 35º43.42’ W 80º23.43’
There is a large gravel parking lot with a boat ramp.
South Yadkin River
The South Fork of the Yadkin River runs through Alexander, Davie, Iredell and Rowan before the confluence with the Yadkin River near High Rock Lake just south of Lexington, North Carolina. The South Yadkin is not much more than a large creek for most of the river. It splits into two main sections just south of The Bullhole River Park near Collemee, North Carolina. The Bullhole is a park just below a dam along the river which makes it a neat place to swim and play along the river bank. Some sections of the South Fork are referred to by locals as Hunting Creek. There is limited access to the river along this section. It is not traveled very often by motor boats or kayaks and therefore you are likely to have to navigate around down trees. You are mostly likely to have the river to yourself if you paddle the South Fork, but there are not outfitters or resources along the river so be prepared.
Uwharrie River
The Uwharrie River startrs just south of the City of High Point and continues south into the Uwharrie National Forest and the Pee Dee River. It flows into the Pee Dee River just east of the city of Albermarle across from Morrow Mountain State Park. Above the mouth of the Uwharrie, the Pee Dee is known as the Yadkin River. The river is rocky in most areas and requires decent water levels to be able to navigate it. The last few miles of the Uwharrie River is perfect for camping. Roughly 20 miles of the river flow through Uwharrie National Forest with many scenic spots to camp. Putting in at the Low Bridge Bridge near Eldarodo, NC you can paddle roughly 7 miles to the access on Hwy 109 or you could continue on to the confluence of the Pee Dee River near Morrow Mountain State Park. This section is a good area for paddlers of any experience level. Be sure to stop by the Eldorado Outpost and gave some potato wedges.
Low Water Bridge
Rocky River
The Rocky River is 95 miles longs flowing from Iredell County south to the confluence of the Pee Dee River near the Uwharrie Mountains. The Rocky River Blueway is about 50 miles long running from Midland to Wadesboro. Along this section there are 6 kayak/canoe launches. The River Rooster is a full service outfitter located in Oakboro and operating along the Rocky River Blueway. They offer rentals, shuttle service and guided trips. THe Rocky River Blueway is part of the Carolina Thread Trail. It is comprised of greenways, trails and blueways encompassing areas within North and South Carolina. Check out their webpage at www.carolinathreadtrail.org
Lynches River
The Lynches River has it's origin near Waxhaw just southeast of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Lynches River flows south through the Pee Dee River Basin into the Atlantic Ocean. Near Coward, South Carolina you will find the Lynches River State Park. The park is located along the banks of the river with various activities from put ins to start a trip on the river or the ability to set up a base camp and paddle section of the Lynches. River Rat Canoe Rentals is a local outfitter with access to the river, shuttle and rental service, as well as camping on their property. If you are curious about some of the history of the river stop by River Rats Canoe Rentals and talk to Paul. This section of the river is slow with no rapids. A neat feature of this area is sometimes it is hard to tell where the river starts and the bank starts because of the Cypress Trees lining the rivers edge. If you are looking for a scenic slow paddle you will not go wrong stopping in at River Rats Canoe Rentals.
