The center of a state park, Merchants Millpond is the park's placid, shallow lake. The best way to explore the park is on the water. The lake is full of water lilies and aquatic vegetation including large trees, adding to a gorgeous paddle. This is said to be one of the most interesting and peaceful lakes to canoe in the state.

This attractive wetland located in Merchant's Millpond State Park offers an opportunity for a scenic and unique paddling experience. Cypress trees rise from the waters resulting in interesting scenery around every corner. There is plentiful wildlife to be seen in the area and the park also offers picnic areas and campgrounds.

The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river that runs for over 200 miles through North Carolina before flowing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic flatwater river travels through diverse coastal vegetation and offers lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. Much of the river is part of a designated canoe trail with multiple access areas making it easy to customize trips of varying distances. This section of the river between Elwell Ferry Road and Lock #1 is a nice half-day paddle through completely undeveloped wilderness area. Taking out at Lock #1 is done by exiting on the right side of the river before the lock and using the portage trail to the parking area.

Boone Lake is a major attraction to visitors and residents of surrounding communities. In a year with normal rainfall, the water level varies about 25 ft. from summer to winter. Boaters, swimmers and fishermen enjoy the 131 miles of shoreline year-round. A large portion is designated to private development but some farmlands still exist. The Dam access offers a paved boat ramp and is managed by TWRA. You’ll find miles of shoreline to explore. This area of the lake is less developed.

The South River is a tributary of the Black River that flows 75 miles south through eastern North Carolina, providing numerous flatwater paddling trip options. The blackwater stream travels through mostly undeveloped wooded terrain and delivers plenty of wilderness scenery and solitude. This stretch of the river is defined by tree-covered banks varying in steepness with only minimal development during the first few miles.

The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river that runs for over 200 miles through North Carolina before flowing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic river travels through diverse coastal vegetation and offers lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. Much of the river is part of a designated canoe trail with multiple access areas making it easy to customize trips of varying distances. This section of the river starts from a put-in at the site of the Old Bluff Church and covers 16 miles of mostly undeveloped, secluded waterway to a take-out just downstream of Person Street in East Fayetteville.

Flowing over 133 miles through southeastern North Carolina, the Lumber is a scenic blackwater river that offers abundant paddling opportunity. A good portion of the river has been designated National Wild and Scenic River and many miles travel through protected, undeveloped land. A paddling trail on the river provides good access and numerous trip options for paddlers of varying skill levels. This beginning of this section has some development but it is pretty minimal and disappears altogether as the as the trip continues downstream. There is an interstate about a half mile from the river that can be heard some but not seen.

The Cape Fear River is a long blackwater river that runs for over 200 miles through North Carolina before flowing directly into the Atlantic Ocean. The scenic flatwater river travels through diverse coastal vegetation and offers lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. Much of the river is part of a designated canoe trail with multiple access areas making it easy to customize trips of varying distances. This section of the river covers over 22 miles of rugged wilderness waterway between the Riegel Course Road access and Davis Creek Access and is a good option for an overnight camp trip if you can find a dry campsite. They can be a little hard to come by and are only available during the first 10 miles or so of the run. There are side channels (original path of the river) that take off from the main channel that eventually loop back but exploring these will add some additional mileage. The river is tidally influenced more and more as it continues towards to the coast so be sure to check tide charts and tables before setting out and also be aware that windy weather can result in rough paddling conditions.

The South River, a tributary of the Black River, flows 75 miles south through eastern North Carolina and provides numerous flatwater paddling trip options. The blackwater stream travels through mostly undeveloped wooded terrain and delivers plenty of wilderness scenery and solitude. Much of the land that the river runs through in this section is protected conservation easement. The take-out for this trip is on the Black River.

White Lake is located in the North Carolina Coast region and is known for its sandy shores and clear waters that provide some excellent conditions for paddling. The unique bay lake is a popular destination for all types of water recreation, especially in the summer, so be cautious and watch out for larger watercraft when visiting. The marina does offer a pay launch and there are multiple campgrounds and resorts around the lake that also offer access.