The Catawba River flows freely through the Blue Ridge Mountains, pours into North Carolina’s “Inland Sea” — Lake Norman — and winds past urban Charlotte. At every turn, this waterway’s champion is the Catawba Riverkeeper.
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Return to the Roanoke
As reliably as redbuds and daffodils, hickory shad herald the coming spring. This time of year, they migrate up eastern North Carolina rivers by the thousands, anglers in pursuit, as the fresh waters of their birth beckon them home.
A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala
Celebrate the season in this mountain town — no matter what time of year you visit.
8 Scenic Drives in the North Carolina Mountains
Need inspiration for your fall leaf-peeping trip? During a drive on these winding scenic byways — with plenty of stops for waterfalls, hikes, museums, delicious food, and gorgeous views along the way — the journey is the destination.
A History Lover’s Guide to Perquimans County
Take a walking tour to discover centuries-old homes and architecture, grab a bite in a 111-year-old pharmacy or a 175-year-old country store, and paddle down the same cypress-lined river once navigated by Native Americans.
Come on In!
During the hottest days of summer, water attractions across North Carolina provide a refreshing escape.
Safe Passage on the Intracoastal Waterway
Commercial and recreational vessels cruise a watery highway of natural and dredged channels, with one face toward the land and the other toward the ocean.
6 Stops Along the Neuse River
North Carolina’s longest river connects the Piedmont to the Pamlico. Along the way, this peaceful, winding tributary offers shady swimming holes, sandy beaches, paddling trails, historic riverside towns, and delicious seafood.
Two State Park Adventures in Columbus County
Want to make a dent in your state park bucket list? Visit two in one trip: kayak beneath Spanish moss and pitch your tent at a paddle-in campsite along a blackwater river, then watch sailboats glide across the water from the peaceful, sandy shoreline of a Carolina bay.