A group of children and adult chaperones, canoes, with Buckhorn Dam in background.

Epic Overnight

Activities Kayaks or canoes

Skill level Prior paddling experience recommended

Age 8+ Years

Weight limit kayaks or canoes: 250lb/person

Duration
15 miles; 2 days (can be done as a day trip)

River features
Multiple rapids up to class II+; flat water most of the trip

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Trip Cost

Single Kayak

$99

2-person Canoe

$159

Group Rates Info

Epic Overnight

Kayaking or canoeing overnight camping river trip

Canoe camping is the untapped source for outdoor fun. This 2 day, 1 night trip starts 15 miles up the river from our office at the old, retired Buckhorn Dam. Paddle down 9 miles from the put-in and camp at Raven Rock’s secluded canoe-in campground. Your second day will see you down 6 more miles of river to our office in Lillington. You can skip the camping, making it a full day trip. Our shuttle will take your group, boats and equipment to the starting point at Buckhorn Dam. Please visit the Raven Rock State Park website or call (877) 722-6762 to make reservations for canoe-in campground. Reservations are required by the State Park. There are only 6 campsites, so please plan ahead... Large Groups! Please note: Raven Rock's group campsites have been permanently closed due to the damage after the Hurricane Florence in 2018. However, we have access to a couple other properties on the river that can accommodate larger groups, like a Boy or Girl Scout Troop. Contact us to discuss arrangements.

Trip Schedule

We drive to Buckhorn Dam only once a day, first thing in the morning!
Arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time!
Due to shuttle schedule, we are not able to wait for you if you are late, neither can we shuttle you at a later time!
Please be on time!

Campground Reservations with Raven Rock State Park

You must make a separate reservation with Raven Rock State Park for canoe-in camp site. There are only 6 canoe-in campsites. It is a good idea to make sure they have availability before booking your trip with us.
The cost for primitive riverside campsites is $12 per night + $3 booking fee. *Please note that the Raven Rock State Park rates & fees are subject to change and are not included in Cape Fear River Adventures’ pricing for this trip.

Large Groups! Please note: Raven Rock’s group campsites have been permanently closed due to the damage after the Hurricane Florence. However, we have access to couple other properties on the river that can accommodate larger groups, like a Scout Troop. Contact us to discuss arrangements.

What to wear

Dress for the weather with layered clothing if necessary, and expect to get wet. Wear long sleeves or opt out for sunscreen. Bathing suit is a great option in warmer months, but don't forget sunscreen! Paddling booties or water shoes are great! You can also wear old gym shoes, or strap-on sandals, but no flip-flops! Any hat is recommended.

What to bring

Overnight trips will take a little more planning than other trips. Here are some suggested items:

 

  • Water – 1 gallon per person
  • Food (day 1 – lunch and dinner; day 2 – breakfast)
    Some food ideas: freeze dried meals, nuts, fruits, canned meats or fish, nutrition bars, instant basic soups is a good addition on a cooler night
  • Tent or hammock
  • Sleeping bag (might be unnecessary on warmer summer nights)
  • Optional sleeping pad
  • Optional stove and pot to boil water
  • Spork (or just fork or spoon)
  • Flashlight
  • Knife
  • Basic first aid kit
  • Optional spare clothing in case you get wet

* for more detailed gear list see Paddling to Wilmington page.

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Trip F.A.Q.

Yes, reservations are required for this trip!

If you need to cancel or reschedule your activity, please do so at least 72 hours before your activity start time for a full refund or a no‑fee reschedule. Inside 72 hours, bookings are final and cannot be changed or refunded. We will do our best to accommodate your trip as scheduled. However, we reserve the right to adjust your activity due to river conditions or weather by rescheduling, offering a different activity, or issuing credit for future use. Refunds are not provided for weather‑related changes.

8 years old and up. For younger children check out Leisure Paddle or Easy Float with age limit of 3.

250lb per person for any kayak or canoe; 220lb for paddle board

We promote healthy living and healthy enjoyment of the great outdoors! Alcohol is not recommended to have an amazing time on the river, however if you must… Responsible, moderate consumption is strongly enforced. All North Carolina and Waterways laws apply and are closely monitored by local and Wildlife Law Enforcement.

ABSOLUTELY NO GLASS CONTAINERS OR LIQUOR

You have to have at least one 18 year old individual in your party out on the water. Anyone else under 18 must have consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Choose any river activity that suits your group the best. Once you have the date and trip picked, we will email a quote that has the appropriate discount applied. Groups must be paid for in one single payment to qualify for our group discount. Give us a call 919.495.5555 or contact us with questions!
We look forward to seeing you and your group having a blast on the river!

Yes! We offer 10% discount for military, EMS, Fire, Police, Teachers, and Students. Use Promo Code SERVICE when making your online reservations. Be sure to have your military or relevant ID when checking in on the day of your trip.

Yes, we do! We accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.

There are no gators or sharks, but there are water snakes. They are mostly non-aggressive type, but we ask you to respect wildlife and keep your distance. Checking your surroundings while on water goes a long way. Any incidents with wildlife are extremely rare and generally it is a unique experience to spot any wildlife while out on the river!

Dogs are allowed but not recommended. If your furry friend has never been in a boat, you might find yourself fighting to keep your pup onboard instead of enjoying the day 😉 Only dogs with prior boating experience are allowed on 10 Mile Challenge and Epic Overnight.

1 person per single kayak; 2 people per tandem kayak; 2 people per canoe. No riders in canoe allowed on this trip.

Canoes have plenty of storage and it’s a preferred vessel for the overnight trip. You can bring cooler, backpack or other accessories along the way. Kayaks however, have limited storage. Smaller backpack would fit ok, but not much more than that. Keep in mind that more stuff you have lower the boat seats making it so much more less efficient paddling and going over rapids.

Maybe! The river is an unpredictable environment and there is always a possibility of capsizing. You must be prepared for it, dress and gear up accordingly.

Yes. But Epic Overnight is much more physically demanding trip. While we can show you basic paddling concepts, you still have to do all the work covering 15 miles!