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Cape Fear River Adventures

River Access Points

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Always check the river’s water level before your excursion. If you are unfamiliar with those measurements just give us a call, we will be happy to help.

About Access Points on the Cape Fear River

The Cape Fear River offers exceptional water-related outdoor activities. There are plenty of flat water sections mixed with Class I, II and II+ rapids at regular water flows. Our choice of particular river sections is limited to its river access points. Typically, the land around the river is privately or state owned, which restricts access to the water to various access points.

We operate on 25 miles of the upper Cape Fear River. There are now 6 access points, 5 of which are public. This allows us to offer trips from 1 hour to 2 days. Folks with personal vessels and means to transport the equipment are welcome to accommodate themselves.

Below are the mostly public access points available on the Cape Fear River; from its upper section where we are located, to its entrance to the Atlantic Ocean at Wilmington, NC. We say “mostly public” because the Cape Fear River Adventures ramp in Lillington, we consider to be privately owned and maintained by us. We are pleased to offer this helpful reference source for the boating community.

Upper Cape Fear River
Raleigh, Sanford, Lillington, and Erwin, NC area

Wildlife River Access with concrete ramp accessible with canoes, kayaks and motor boats.

Coordinates: 35.540341, -78.983957

Buckhorn Dam is the northernmost access point that we utilize, located near Corinth, NC. Buckhorn Dam and the property around it belongs to Duke Energy. The dam has not been operated in years, but it still covers the entire river. Those who approach the dam from upstream will have to port around it.
Do NOT paddle over the dam. It is a deadly hydraulic system that has claimed several lives over the years. 

To access the dam you have to drive through the property that belongs to the power company, but the access is not restricted, although it is private. It is a dirt road and can be a little rough, but you shouldn’t need four-wheel drive.

The next access point is in Lillington right before the NC HWY 421/401/210 bridge. It is about a 15 mile paddle from Buckhorn Dam to our office in Lillington. We offer this trip as a two day adventure called Epic overnight. Plenty of paddlers have done this section in just 1 day. In the first half a mile you go through Buckhorn Falls, a set of Class I and II rapids. They can be very rocky at lower levels, but navigable. It’s followed by several miles of flat water, until entering Raven Rock State park, signified by Lanier Falls – the biggest rapid of this section. Fish Traps is another popular destination for swimmers and fishermen during summer months less than a mile downstream from Lanier Falls. The remaining 7 miles to Lillington are mainly flat water, with the exception of small Class II rapids about 2.5 miles before the take out and a small Class I rock garden half a mile after that.

* We typically recommend against leaving vehicles at Buckhorn Dam overnight due to prior incidents.

Coordinates: 35.540341, -78.983957

The Cape Fear Shiner Park is located at 350 Alexander Drive, Lillington, NC 27546 and runs adjacent to the Sandhills Farm Park. The site is next to the Cape Fear River and is located in the Cape Fear River Basin. There is a primitive river access here.

This is a private ramp that is owned and operated by Cape Fear River Adventures. Our office is located about 150 yards from this ramp. There is a $5 fee per person. Children under 12 are free. You should pay this fee at our office (cash or credit). If you are using any of our other services (rental or shuttle) the ramp fee is waived, but check-in at the office is still required.

During summer months the river current is very slow and allows for easy paddles up-river and downstream. A lot of folks can put in at this access point and enjoy the flexibility of going upstream for as long as they choose to without being committed to the river. You can turn around at any time and take out at the same ramp where you put in. No commitment to the distance and no shuttle to worry about.

Another option is to paddle downstream. There is the Wildlife Rd. access point 2 miles downstream and Erwin is a 10 mile run. Lillington to Wildlife Rd. is an easy and laid back route with 1 Class I rapid and 1 Class I rock garden. We call this trip Easy Paddle and allow up to 2 hours to complete.

If you like longer and more challenging runs, then Lillington to Erwin is the trip to consider. It is a very scenic run with numerous Class I and II rapids. Paddle in remote areas of the river, where the sightings of Bald Eagle or Great Blue Heron are a frequent occurrence. We call this the 10 Mile Challenge. 

Private boaters and tubers MUST read our Ramp Use Rules: https://capefearadventures.com/otherservices/ramp-use/

Shaded, clean park featuring a river view plus a playground with a pirate ship motif. River access is a bit of a walk from the main parking lot.

This is a public river access point that is managed by the Wildlife Commission of North Carolina. It is a popular river spot for fishermen, or if you want to shave off a couple miles from the trip to Erwin, making it an 8 mile run. It offers easy access and plenty of parking. On sunny Saturdays it can get busy. Primitive limited fishing spots get filled up quick. 

This is a public river access point located in Erwin, NC. It is a part of the Cape Fear River Trail Park. It offers a decent amount of parking on the upper section of the park, but very limited turn around space by the river. If you are towing a trailer, you might have to unhook the trailer to turn around or carry your boats from the river to the parking lot. In either case check it out before driving down the river access road. It gets busy on summer weekends and frequently there is a wait associated with loading boats. 

Middle Cape Fear River
Fayetteville and Elizabethtown, NC area

Lock and Dam #1 has nice fishing area that was improved several years ago for that purpose. Canoe, kayak and motor boat ramp is easily accessible with plenty of parking.

 

Take Riegal Course Rd. past golf course all the way to the river. Available for access with canoes, kayaks and motor boats.

 

City park with 2 concrete ramps and good parking, located right next to the US17 Bridge. 

Tar Heel Access is a Wildlife river access. Look for small service road called Wildlife Landing Dr. connecting with Tar Heel Ferry Rd 0.8 miles east of the river.

 

Nice park and river access in Elizabethtown, NC.

 

Concrete ramp is available for access the river with canoes, kayaks, or motor boats. Plenty of parking. The lock and the area were torn up after the Hurricane Florance, but the access ramp should be accessible.

The river access ramp is located just downstream from the Elwell Ferry Rd. on the South side of the rive. This is a Wildlife boating access area available for canoes, kayaks, and motor boats. 

Lower Cape Fear River
Wilmington and Riegelwood, NC area

Private ramp in downtown Fayetteville. $5 per boat ramp fee. There is a shop and a restaurant on top of the parking lot. The ramp is easily accessible and can be used for canoes, kayaks, and power boats. 

Wildlife boating ramp located off Wilmington Highway and only about 1 mile from I-95. 

City park with 2 concrete ramps and good parking, located right next to the US17 Bridge. 

*Please let us know if you have any suggestions or adjustments to the information above.

References:
Paddling Eastern North Carolina by Paul Ferguson, 3rd edition.

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