Roanoke River, Weldon to Halifax

The Roanoke begins its run in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, but doesn’t settle into flatwater mode until after one last hurrah of Class I-III rapids upstream in Roanoke Rapids. From there, the last 124 miles down to Plymouth offers passage through the Roanoke River Region. 

Of the Roanoke, the The Nature Conservancy states: “Its floodplain contains the largest intact and least-disturbed bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem remaining in the mid-Atlantic region. The middle section of the Roanoke River is characterized by alluvial forests and large backswamps, while the lower section contains vast tracts of bald cypress and water tupelo swamp forests. The Roanoke River provides a haven for a host of plants and animals, including more than 200 bird species.” Since 1989, the conservancy has been involved in efforts to preserve more than 50,000 acres along the Roanoke.

To help paddlers fully enjoy the Roanoke, the Roanoke River Partners have built camping platforms along the river. These platforms greatly vary in facilities, size, and characteristics, so if you want a complete map and information about all of them, check the link here: https://roanokeriverpartners.org/river-camping/

Paul Ferguson of “Paddling Eastern North Carolina” guidebook renown, divides this 124-mile stretch of the Roanoke into 10 sections. We choose Section 2 for its remoteness, for its wildlife (including bald eagles), and its ease of access (off US 301 in Weldon, just off I-95).

For more information about the area, paddle trails, camping, and shuttles, check out here: here and here!