General Description & Characteristics -- The Cape Fear River
is formed by the confluence of the Deep and Haw Rivers in central North Carolina. From
that point, it flow about 195 miles to the Atlantic Ocean at Wilmington. About 15 miles
down from the confluence, there is a short section of rapids where the river drops 50 feet
in about eight miles. Shoals and some rapids prevail for some distance downstream, but at
Fayetteville the river becomes navigable by larger boats, as a series of locks and dams
maintain a constant pool level. As it nears the ocean, the Cape Fear assumes the
character of a slow coastal river, and below the city of Wilmington, it becomes a coastal
estuary separating the mainland of North Carolina from its barrier islands.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- If you are willing and able
to negotiate Class II rapids, you can launch at Lillington, North Carolina. There is
a private access ramp at the highway bridge, and permission may be obtained from the
barbecue restaurant or canoe rental located nearby. The last recommended take out is
either at Wilmington (public ramp or dock downtown) or Belville (John D. Long Park).
Belville is on the Brunswick River, an outflow channel of the Cape Fear. A
trip from Lillington to either of these take-out points would be 150 miles. It may
be possible to launch a few miles further upstream, at Raven Rock State Park or Buckhorn
Dam -- the section from these points to Lillington will have more rapids up to Class II.
If you wish to avoid the rapids, consider launching at Fayetteville,
which would shorten this trip by about 40 miles. There is a public launch near
Arnette Park, off highway 87 downstream from the city. If you wish to avoid paddling
in the coastal lower reaches of the river, take out at Lock & Dam #1, 37 miles
upstream from Wilmington.
Interesting Features -- The Cape Fear represents one of the best
examples of the coastal rivers of the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to the usual river
wildlife, you might spot alligators, and on the lower sections, you will see coastal
waterfowl who like to work their way up the rivers to find their food. You can
experience the Cape Fear as it evolves from a rocky river with many shoals and small falls
to a coastal estuary.
Raven Rock State Park is just upstream from Lillington. If you are
en route downstream, the park has camping facilities for canoeists.
There are three locks on the Cape Fear, at Tarheel, Elizabethtown, and
Riegelwood. These were built in the 1930's for commercial barge traffic, but today are not
used for that purpose. The locks are much smaller than those found on larger navigable
rivers. The Corps of Engineers maintains and operates the locks. Each lock property
is managed by a single lockmaster, so it is important to contact them in advance of your
arrival to arrange lockage. The locks operate only Monday through Friday, except by
prior arrangement. While they prefer that canoes portage around the locks on the marked
trails, they will accommodate groups of five or more, or may make allowances if the
portage would be too difficult. See below for contact information.
If you float the upper section of this trip, you will have to paddle through the
metropolitan area of Fayetteville which has a population of about 125,000; take care to
plan your trip so as not to have to make camp in this highly populated area. At Fayetteville you will pass a ship wreck on the right. There is a boat access
point just down river on the left -- from there you can walk a couple of hundred yards to
a fishing tackle store and purchase goods if needed.
In Elizabethtown you can walk about 300 yards and be downtown. Lock 2 is
downstream about 1/2 mile.
Camping -- There is little or no public camping along the river,
so you will be looking for primitive campsites on sand bars or other suitable locations.
The last 39 miles from Lock #1 to Wilmington is the hardest to find sites,
as the river approaches tidewater, and the banks are high.
Carolina Canoe Club canoe
camping information.
Additional Information --
| Canoeing Information |
|
| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service |
Cape Fear RV & Canoe
Center (Lillington) |
| River Flow Data |
USGS Gauges:
|
| Parks on/near the River |
Raven Rock State Park |
| Towns/Other Locales on/near the
River |
|
| Books |
|
| More Pictures |
. |
| Environmental
Issues/Organizations |
. |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors |
Rick Heald |
| Miscellaneous |
|
