North Carolina

Vacation Information
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Albemarle Sound. Fishing. Several islands dot this region. Runs from Winton, North Carolina to historical Kitty Hawk. Also see Chowan River.

B. Everett Jordan Dam & Reservoir. 13,900 Acres. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. (919) 251-4192 . Located 30 miles south of Raleigh on U.S. 1.

Baddin Lake. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Morrow Mountain State Park is located in the PeeDee/Yadkin River. Located near Baddin (off U.S. 52).

Blewett Falls. Fishing. Lies along the PeeDee River. Located just northwest of Rockingham, North Carolina off U.S. 74.

Catawba Reservoir. Fishing. Carowings Recreational Area is located just to the west of the reservoir. Located just southeast of Charlotte and runs into South Carolina.

Chowan River. Watersports, Fishing, Swimming, Campsites, Picnic Grounds, Ramps. This 65 miles of water area is an excellent beautiful coastal northeast North Carolina cypress-lined river emptying into the western end of the Albemarle Sound. The river runs primarily North to South and has several excellent North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission sponsored (no fee) boat ramps, two of the most notable being the ramp at the northern end of the highway US17 Bridge and the ramp at the northern end of the highway US13 Bridge at Winton. A new high rise bridge across the mouth of the Chowan river is expected to be complete before the year 2000 and will allow unimpeded access to the river for tall masted sailing vessels. The new bridge is planned to have a 60-65 foot clearance. There are a few public beaches along the length of the river although summer brings much heightened water sports activity such as excellent fishing for various panfish species, waterskiing, jetskiing, and general boating. The lower Chowan River is most scenic during the winter months and rarely freezes over. There usually is an abundance of migratory waterfowl in the area during the winter months. The lower Chowan from the US17 Bridge north to Holiday Island is approximately two to three miles wide and from Holiday Island north to the upper reaches narrows to approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile in width. there are several feeder creeks entering the river at various locations that serve to enhance exploration. The Chowan River is an excellent side trip from the Intercoastal Waterway where the Waterway crosses the Albemarle Sound between the mouth of the Alligator River and Elizabeth City to the north. Water depths through the Albemarle Sound to the Chowan River average 15 feet with shallower areas near shore. Channel depths in the Chowan River average 15 to 18 feet with considerably deeper waters along the narrower reaches above Holiday Island. Water depths along Holiday Island sound at approximately 40 feet.

Falls Lake / Falls of the Neuse Reservoir. 12,500 Acres. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. (919) 251-4192 . 25 miles east of Durham, North Carolina off North Carolina State Route 98. Also accessible off I 85.

Fontana Lake. Fishing, Launch Ramps (small fee may apply). Located at the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park near U.S. 19.

Gaston Lake / Roanoke Rapids. 28 miles long counting both lakes. Fishing. Fishing, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Camping is available at Camp Willow Run off North Carolina State Route 1365. The Roanoke Rapids section is accessible near the Virginia / North Carolina Border off I 95 in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

High Rock Lake. Fishing. Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Camp Saponia is located off State Route 2162 on the southern shoreline. This Lake is Located off I 85 just south of Lexington, North Carolina.

Hyco Reservoir. Fishing. Several coves are located all around the reservoir. Located near Semora off North Carolina State Route 57.

James Lake. Fishing. Located just west of Morgantown off U.S. 70

John H. Kerr Reservoir (Kerr Lake). 50,000 Acres. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. (919) 251-4192 . One of the largest manmade lakes in the southeast featuring numerous forks and coves. Also known for record striped bass catches. Several State Parks are located all around the lake on the North Carolina side including the Satterwhite State Recreation Area. Located along the Virginia / North Carolina State line off Virginia State Route 4 (accessible from I 85).

Lake Lure. Fishing, Swimming, Cabins Nearby, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). One of North Carolina's best kept secrets. A small 3 mile wide and long lake in the rolling hills. Located near scenic Broad Creek just east of Bat Cave off U.S. 74 (this road twists and turns between Ashville and Spindale).

Lake Mattamuskeet. Fishing. Located in eastern North Carolina along U.S. 264 at New Holland.

Lake Norman. Fishing, Swimming, Condos, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marinas, Fuel. This lake has many Forks and Coves to take up a little fishing or just hang out, along with wide open areas to water ski or enjoy other water sports. Two Marinas are located off North Carolina State Route 73 in the Ramsey Creek fork and a campground is located just west of I 77 (at the Moorseville Exit). Also camping facilities are located at Duke Powder State Park (on the northern section near Fallstown). This 19 mile long lake lies along I-77 a few minutes north of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Pamlico Sound. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. This body of water is between Cape Hatteras National Seashore and runs to the Pamlico River to near Washington, North Carolina. A state park and several beaches lie near the Bayview area on the Pamlico River. An historic light house is in Ocracoke on the National Seashore which is also one of the entry points to the Atlantic Ocean. Located in eastern North Carolina. Larger craft and navigational equipment recommended.

Lake Phelps. Fishing. Home of Somerset Place State Historical Site. Located just south of Creswell, North Carolina off U.S. 64.

Rhodhiss Lake / Hickory Lake. Fishing. Located off of I 40 in Hickory, North Carolina.

Tillery Lake. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Part of the Peedee River. Home of Morrow Mountain State Park. Located off U.S. 52 just east of Norwood, North Carolina.

W. Kerr Scott Dam & Reservoir. Fishing, Swimming, Campsites with and without electric hookup, Showers, Restrooms, Drinking Water, Sanitary Dump Station, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply), Marina, Fuel, Visitor Information Center. Near Moravian and Cascade Falls in the heart of scenic country (28 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway). Located 5 miles west of Wilksboro, North Carolina on North Carolina State Route 268.

Waccamaw Lake. Fishing, Drinking Water, Restrooms, Picnic/Day Use. Located off U.S. 74 10 miles east of Whiteville.

Cape Fear River Locks and Dams.

These pools run in from Wilmington, North Carolina.

Wm. O. huske Lock and Dam. Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). 17 miles south of Fayetteville off North Carolina State Route 87.

Lock & Dam 2. Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). About 2 miles outside of Elizabethtown.

Lock 7 Dam 1. Restrooms, Drinking Water, Picnic/Day Use, Launch Ramp (small fee may apply). Located about 35 miles upstream from Wilmington.

Information based on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, brochures and boaters information.
If you know of any other great spots in North Carolina for boating (of all types), or have more information, feel free to E-Mail us at Boating America