If you have yet to visit North Carolina’s Uwharrie River, you are in for a treat.
One of the favorite activities on the Uwharrie is canoeing and kayaking. The speed of the flow can vary between high- and low-water seasons, but when you time it just right, the float down the river can be a wonderfully relaxing way to spend a day in one of the most beautiful areas of the state.
These photos, taken by Seth Myers during his kayaking trips down the Uwharrie River, show off some of the finest features of this amazing river in the heart of North Carolina.
Photo by Seth Myers The river begins just south of High Point and flows for roughly 60 miles into Montgomery County, through the Uwharrie Mountains and Uwharrie National Forest, finally emptying as a tributary into the Pee Dee River.
Photo by Seth Myers There are several river access points and put-ins to begin your adventure. One is at the bridge on Highway 109 in Troy.
From here, you can float down approximately seven miles to Morrow Mountain State Park. This segment can take 5-6 hours (3 if it has recently rained), so this is an excellent route to take if you have an open afternoon to spend on the water.
Photo by Seth Myers
Photo by Seth Myers There is another put-in at Low Water Bridge in Orphir that is upstream from the Highway 109 access point, and the float is roughly 7.5 miles.
Photo by Seth Myers If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can pass by the Highway 109 access point and float all 15 miles down to Morrow Mountain State Park. On a day with normal water levels, this longer trip takes up to 10 hours; however, at high water times, the much faster flow can float you down in only six hours!
Photo by Seth Myers
Photo by Seth Myers Since the river flows through the Uwharrie National Forrest and the Uwharrie Mountains, you will see a TON of wildlife. From owls to ducks to deer, it is always an exciting trip.
Photo by Seth Myers
Photo by Seth Myers Some of the land around the river is privately owned; however, one of the landowners built a resting spot on his property about three miles below the Low Water Bridge.
Photo by Seth Myers He placed large stones by the river, creating a fire pit, three picnic tables, and a stairway leading up from the river.
Photo by Seth Myers
Photo by Seth Myers If you time your afternoon adventure right, you will see one amazing sunset while you are out on the water!
It’s hard to deny that the lush green forest surrounding the Uwharrie River is anything less than spectacular. While there can be some small rapids on high water days, a well-timed trip to the Uwharrie can be a wonderful, relaxing activity.
Photo by Seth Myers
The river begins just south of High Point and flows for roughly 60 miles into Montgomery County, through the Uwharrie Mountains and Uwharrie National Forest, finally emptying as a tributary into the Pee Dee River.
There are several river access points and put-ins to begin your adventure. One is at the bridge on Highway 109 in Troy.
From here, you can float down approximately seven miles to Morrow Mountain State Park. This segment can take 5-6 hours (3 if it has recently rained), so this is an excellent route to take if you have an open afternoon to spend on the water.
There is another put-in at Low Water Bridge in Orphir that is upstream from the Highway 109 access point, and the float is roughly 7.5 miles.
If you are feeling particularly adventurous, you can pass by the Highway 109 access point and float all 15 miles down to Morrow Mountain State Park. On a day with normal water levels, this longer trip takes up to 10 hours; however, at high water times, the much faster flow can float you down in only six hours!
Since the river flows through the Uwharrie National Forrest and the Uwharrie Mountains, you will see a TON of wildlife. From owls to ducks to deer, it is always an exciting trip.
Some of the land around the river is privately owned; however, one of the landowners built a resting spot on his property about three miles below the Low Water Bridge.
He placed large stones by the river, creating a fire pit, three picnic tables, and a stairway leading up from the river.
If you time your afternoon adventure right, you will see one amazing sunset while you are out on the water!
Thank you to Seth Myers for contributing these lovely photos of your kayaking adventures!
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