Lake James: Paddle-In Camp & Catawba River (Spillway to Glen Alpine Rd.)

Type of Outing: Paddle and Camping
When: FRI 6/12/2026 3:00 PM
Signup Deadline: 6/5/2026 5:00 pm
Leader: C.T. Finney (Finn)
Difficulty: Moderate
Description: If you've ever wanted to go where the mountains meet the sea in NC, there's no closer proximity to that feeling than Lake James! We will be camping at the Long Arm Boat-In Campsites. Mine is L24, so when you book, try to book near if you can! There's something magical about a campsite you earn - one you don't just drive up to, but glide into across open water with the sun dripping low behind the Blue Ridge Mountains. Join me for a weekend paddle-in camping trip at Lake James State Park where we'll combine flatwater paddling, riverside adventure, good food and even better company. This is a primitive paddle-in camping trip meaning: we will paddle our gear into camp. The campsite has a latrine and there is no potable water onsite so you will need to bring or filter your own. If anyone would like to share my campsite and split costs, you are welcome to! I will be camping at site L24, right on the water, and can have up to 6 occupants with me, so please reach out to me directly to let me know if that's something you'd like to do! Itinerary: Friday: Paddle in to camp and set up, meeting at the Visitor's Center at 3PM to get checked in. We'll set up camp, settle in, and enjoy a relaxed evening by the water. For those inclined to do so with me, I intend to catch the sunset on the lake and potentially paddle down to the Paddy's Creek channel. Saturday: Exploration, Potluck, & Campfire We'll put in on the lake around 10AM and explore the Linville Gorge channel. This is a flat water paddle that offers sweeping views of the Gorge and all the majesty of the glassy lake. Come evening, we'll have a potluck dinner (registrants should bring some kind of dish; please email me and let me know what you intend to bring when you register so I can keep track of who is bringing what) and then we'll settle into a cozy environment around the campfire after dinner (I may even sing.) Sunday: Funday! River Paddle Adventure On Sunday, we'll put in on the Catawba River below Lake James and paddle downstream. The full route will be approximately 6-7 miles to Watermill/Glen Alpine Rd. But those who wish to have a shorter paddle may elect to take out at Bridgewater, which is approximately a 3-4 mile paddle from put-in. We will organize shuttles accordingly on the day-of, depending