Boat Ramps Nearby
Illustration Paddlers
Launch a kayak without getting soaked
Shore, dock and ramp launches step by step, plus the cart that ends the long carry from the car.
Kayak launch guideKayak & canoe launches in North Carolina
We list 105 kayak launches in 54 towns across North Carolina. Each one lets you get a paddle craft onto the water without backing a trailer.
Eden 7
- Dan River Gamelands River Access · River Gamelands River
- Draper Landing Access · Dan River
- Island Ford River Access · Ford River
- Klyce Street River Access · Dan River
- Leaksville Boating Access · Dan River
- Leaksville Landing Access · Dan River
- Settles Bridge Access · Dan River
Asheville 6
- Craven Street Bridge Access · French Broad River
- French Broad River Greenway Access (South) · French Broad River
- French Broad River Greenway Access (Southeast) · French Broad River
- Hominy Creek River Access · Hominy Creek River
- Silver Line Park River Access · French Broad River
- Woodfin Park Access · French Broad River
Walnut Cove 5
- Hanging Rock Dan River Access · Rock Dan River
- Hemlock Golf Course River Access · Golf Course River
- Moratock Park Access · Dan River
- Pitzer Road Public Fishing Area · Dan River
- Snow Creek Access · Snow Creek
Brevard 4
- Champion Park Access · French Broad River
- Hap Simpson River Access · Hap Simpson River
- Island Ford Access · French Broad River
- Pisgah Forest Access · French Broad River
Burlington 4
- Glencoe Paddle Access · Haw River
- Great Bend Park Boat Ramp · Haw River
- Great Bend Park Paddle Access · Haw River
- Indian Valley Paddle Access · Indian Valley Paddle Access
Mars Hill 4
- Barnard Park Boat Ramp · French Broad River
- Barnard Park Raft Launch · French Broad River
- Stackhouse Boat Launch · French Broad River
- Stackhouse River Access · Stackhouse River
Mocksville 4
- Cooleemee Access · South Yadkin River
- Cooleemee Falls Portage (Southwest 2) · South Yadkin River
- Cooleemee Falls Portage (Southwest) · South Yadkin River
- NC 801 Access · Yadkin River
Andrews 3
- Lewellyn Branch Lake Access · Lewellyn Branch Lake
- Panel Branch Lake Access · Panel Branch Lake
- Rymers Ferry Lake Access · Rymers Ferry Lake
Etowah 3
- Blantyre River Access · Blantyre River
- Etowah School Road Stream Access · French Broad River
- Penrose River Access · Penrose River
Madison 3
- Highway 704 River Access · Dan River
- Madison River Park (West 2) · Madison River
- Madison River Park (West) · Madison River
Saxapahaw 3
- Saxapahaw Lake Access · Saxapahaw Lake
- Saxapahaw Mill Race Access · Haw River
- Union Bridge Paddle Access · Haw River
Elkin 2
- Crater Park River Access · Yadkin River
- Ronda Access · Yadkin River
Franklin 2
- Riverside Access · Little Tennessee River
- US 601 River Access · South Yadkin River
Glen Raven 2
- Altamahaw Paddle Access · Haw River
- Shallow Ford Paddle Access · Haw River
Graham 2
- Graham Paddle Access · Haw River
- Great Alamance Creek Paddle Access · Great Alamance Creek
Knightdale 2
- Anderson Point Park Canoe Launch · Neuse River
- Poole Road Canoe Launch · Neuse River
Lewisville 2
- Huntsville Access · Yadkin River
- Old U.S. 421 River Park Access · Yadkin River
Millers Creek 2
- Ferguson Access · Yadkin River
- Marley Ford Canoe Launch · Yadkin River
Mount Airy 2
- H.B. Rowe Park Access · Ararat River
- Tharrington Park Access · Ararat River
Nags Head 2
New Bern 2
- Canoe/Kayak Launch in New Bern · Neuse River
- Creekside Park Kayak Launch · Neuse River
North Wilkesboro 2
- Greenway Canoe Access · Yadkin River
- Smoot Park Access · Yadkin River
Raleigh 2
- Canoe Access in Raleigh · Neuse River
- Millburnie Dam Canoe Launch · Neuse River
Spencer 2
- Rowan County Pump Station Access · South Yadkin River
- York Hill Yadkin River Access · Hill Yadkin River
Swepsonville 2
- Swepsonville River Park Lower Access · Swepsonville River
- Swepsonville River Park Upper Access · Swepsonville River
Weaverville 2
- Alexander River Park Access · Alexander River
- Ledges Whitewater Park Access · French Broad River
Wilkesboro 2
- Moravian Creek Access · Moravian Creek
- Tailwater Access · Yadkin River
Advance 1
- Idols Dam Portage · Yadkin River
Avery Creek 1
- Glen Bridge River Access · French Broad River
Bent Creek 1
- Bent Creek River Park Access · Bent Creek River
Bermuda Run 1
- Tanglewood Yadkin River Access · Tanglewood Yadkin River
Elroy 1
- Cliffs of the Neusse Canoe Launch · Neuse River
Fearrington Village 1
- Dan's Take Out · Haw River
Gibsonville 1
- Northeast Park Boat Ramp · Buffalo Creek
Greensboro 1
- Brooks Bridge Paddle Access · Haw River
Haw River 1
- Red Slide Park Paddle Access · Haw River
Hays 1
- Roaring River Access · Roaring River
Horse Shoe 1
- Horse Shoe River Access · Horse Shoe River
Jonesville 1
- Yadkin Shore Access · Yadkin River
La Grange 1
- State Park Canoe Tie-Uo · Neuse River
Lenoir 1
- Yadkin Valley Community Park Access · Yadkin River
Lexington 1
- US 64 River Access · Yadkin River
Manteo 1
Mayodan 1
- Mayodan Access · Mayo River
Maysville 1
- Dixon Fields Canoe Launch · White Oak River
Mills River 1
- Westfeldt River Park Access · Westfeldt River
Mount Holly 1
- Duke Energy Kayak/ Canoe Access · Catawba River
Pilot Mountain 1
- NC 268 Ararat River Access · Ararat River
Pittsboro 1
- Chicken Bridge Paddle Access · Haw River
Southern Shores 1
Tyro 1
- Boone's Cave Access · Yadkin River
Wake Forest 1
- Forest Ridge Park Boat Ramp · Falls Lake
Wilmington 1
- Kayak Launch in Wilmington · Town Creek
Yadkinville 1
- Memorial Park Boat Ramp · Lake Hampton
North Carolina rules to know
Kayak & canoe launches by city in North Carolina
Illustration 
Illustration Ramp etiquette
12 rules regulars expect you to know
Staging, courtesy docks and the Clean, Drain, Dry laws that can bring a fine.
Ramp etiquetteKayak & canoe launches in North Carolina: questions and answers
Where are the kayak launches in North Carolina?
We list 105 kayak launches in North Carolina, most of them around Eden (7), Asheville (6), Walnut Cove (5) and Brevard (4).
Which lakes and rivers have kayak launches in North Carolina?
Among others Yadkin River, French Broad River, Haw River, Dan River and Neuse River.
Do kayaks need to be registered in North Carolina?
Check with the North Carolina boating agency. Many states don't register non-motorized kayaks, but some require a permit at state launches or an invasive species sticker.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak in North Carolina?
Every paddler in North Carolina needs an approved life jacket on board, and kids have to wear theirs.
Are there free kayak launches in North Carolina?
10 of the 105 are marked free in the map data, including Dan River Gamelands River Access, Draper Landing Access and Island Ford River Access.
Other states
Guide: How to launch a kayak or canoe · All boat ramps in North Carolina