Swepsonville River Park to Saxapahaw Lake

Flatwater Downriver

by The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.· Graham, NC
From$55
Ages5+

What to Expect

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” - Rabindranath Tagore

After checking in at our main office in Saxapahaw, guests take a short shuttle ride to Swepsonville River Park River Access, where a 5.5 mile peaceful flatwater paddle back to Saxapahaw awaits. There are opportunities abound to picnic, fish, birdwatch, or just float and relax. Guests will take out at the Saxapahaw Lake Paddle Access, leave their boats with our staff, and take a short nature hike back to our office.

This trip is great for guests looking for a longer day trip down the Haw with no rapids. The paddling is suitable for guests of all skill levels, but the portage (see below) adds an element of rugged adventure. Guests should expect to do most of the work on this paddle, as the river here is flat and offers little (if any) current. As this section of the Haw straddles two large dam reservoirs with fairly stable water levels, this trip is available even during summer droughts.

Portage

Guests must understand that this trip involves a portage around Swepsonville’s Puryear dam. You will have to exit the river and carry your boat! Guests have two options for their portage: a shorter carry that involves paddling through a short, Class I+ rapid, and a longer carry that avoids the rapid.

If you're interested in a guided version of this trip, including assistance with the portage, check out our Picnic Paddle!

Includes

Kayak rental
Paddle & PFD rental
Shuttle
Safety brief, basic paddling instruction, & portage directions
Assistance with boat launch & take out

Duration

3-4 Hours

Address

6079 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd., Saxapahaw, NC, 27340

Pricing

Single Kayak · For 1 Person • 275lb Weight Limit • Minimum 8 Years Old$50
Sit On Top Kayak · For 1 Person • 225lb Weight Limit • Minimum 8 Years Old$50
Tandem Kayak · For 2 People • 435lb Weight Limit • Minimum 5 Years Old$80

Prices are typical; see the booking calendar for live availability and rates.

Cancellation Policy

By the Customer

  • A reservation can be rescheduled or canceled at least 24 hours in advance in order to receive full in-store credit towards a future trip or course.
  • Cancellations or “no-shows” within 24 hours of a reservation will receive no credit or refund.
  • Any credit towards a future trip will be issued using a digital gift card. We do not offer cash or credit refunds at this time.
  • Call (336) 260-6465 or email us at [email protected] to cancel your reservation.

By The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.

  • If a reservation needs to be rescheduled or canceled due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, we will contact the customer as soon as possible in order to reschedule.
  • If rescheduling is not possible at the time, guests will be reimbursed with a digital gift card towards a future trip or course of their choosing.
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