Black River NC

Type of Outing: Paddle and Camping
When: FRI 3/27/2026 8:00 AM
Signup Deadline: 3/20/2026 5:00 pm
Leader: Will Truslow
Distance: 22 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Description: This is a 3-day/2-night paddle/camp along the pristine Black River in eastern NC. There are no rapids but might encounter trees to pull over. The first day’s paddle is about 7 miles to camp. We’ll camp at the Black River Camping Ventures Campground that does have porta-johns reported as clean and water for dishes but not to drink. The next night is primitive camping with no facilities. You will need to bring all of your drinking and cooking water with you. Next day, we paddle about 6 miles to then go through the Three Sisters Swamp (1 mile) where the cypress trees have been core dated to 2,624+ years old (614 BC) being the oldest core dated tree on the East Coast and the 5th oldest in the world. Going through Three Sisters Swamp with these ancient trees is a magical treat. After 3 more miles, we’ll camp. It’s about 5 miles more to the take-out and about 22 miles total. Small charge for first night camping and the takeout parking. You’ll need a kayak or canoe, paddle, and life jacket plus gear that would normally go on a backpacking trip. Boats 10-14 feet work well. 14-foot boats will have a bit more difficulty maneuvering amongst the trees in the swamp but otherwise do well for the vast majority of the paddle. Dry bags are better than garbage bags to store tents, sleeping bags, etc. The 2nd day is longer at about 10 miles so be sure your arms can paddle the distance without utter agony. I need to limit the trip to 10 people. Please email me if you are interested in going or have questions. More details to come once the group has formed.
Required Gear: A kayak or canoe, paddle, and life jacket plus gear that would normally go on a backpacking trip.
Max Participants: 10