Best Places to Kayak Near Waynesville, NC

30 public launch points within 50 miles of Waynesville, ranked by water conditions, access, and amenities.

30 nearby23 Rivers7 Lakes
← All paddling in North Carolina

Top Picks Near Waynesville

Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss1

Bent Creek River and Picnic Area

A top-rated river launch on French Broad River

RiverBeginner22 mi away
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss2

Hominy Creek River Park

A top-rated river launch on French Broad River

RiverBeginner23 mi away
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water3

Bear Creek

Standout kayak fishing on Tuckasegee River (Bear Creek Lake)

LakeBeginner17 mi away
a river running through a lush green forest

Locust Creek Access Area

North Carolina · 15.8 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

East LaPorte River Access Park

North Carolina · 15.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
brown boat on water

Lena Davis Landing River Access

North Carolina · 16.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

C J Harris

North Carolina · 16.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a small boat sitting on top of a body of water

Bear Creek

North Carolina · 17.4 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Public Boat Ramp

North Carolina · 17.5 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers on a calm Southern lake lined with pine trees at dusk

Cedar Cliff

North Carolina · 17.7 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A large body of water surrounded by trees

Wolf Creek

North Carolina · 18.3 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Barkers Creek

North Carolina · 18.6 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a view of a lake from a kayak

Walters Powerhouse

Tennessee · 20.8 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Whittier

North Carolina · 21.3 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Powerhouse Site

North Carolina · 22.2 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Bent Creek River and Picnic Area

North Carolina · 22.3 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
red and white kayak on lake during daytime

Pine Creek

North Carolina · 22.8 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Hominy Creek River Park

North Carolina · 22.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Craven Street Bridge

North Carolina · 24.5 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Bluffton Access Area

Tennessee · 24.7 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Penrose

North Carolina · 25.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
white canoe on river surrounded by trees

Westfeldt Park

North Carolina · 25.6 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Horse Shoe

North Carolina · 25.8 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Denton Access

Tennessee · 26.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a large body of water surrounded by trees

Old 288

North Carolina · 28.3 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with a red buoy in the middle of it

Wolf Creek

Tennessee · 30.0 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with trees around it

Lake Emory

North Carolina · 30.1 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
A person standing on a paddle board in the water

Unnamed Ramp

North Carolina · 31.5 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
green and brown trees beside river during daytime

Unnamed Ramp

North Carolina · 31.6 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding blue kayak on lake during daytime

Flat Branch

North Carolina · 31.8 mi

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a river running through a lush green forest

Unnamed Ramp

North Carolina · 32.6 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Hwy 70

Tennessee · 32.9 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
Kayakers paddling through a cypress-lined Southern waterway with Spanish moss

Tannery Island

Tennessee · 33.1 mi

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Paddling Near Other Cities

Widen your search to towns within an hour of Waynesville.

Hazelwood, NC1 miLake Junaluska, NC3 miClyde, NC6 miMaggie Valley, NC6 miBalsam, NC7 miCanton, NC8 miSylva, NC15 miWebster, NC16 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best places to kayak near Waynesville, NC?

Top picks near Waynesville include Bent Creek River and Picnic Area, Hominy Creek River Park, Bear Creek. In total there are 30 public launch points within 50 miles, with paddling on rivers, lakes.

What types of paddling can I do near Waynesville?

Near Waynesville you'll find opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Most locations offer beginner-friendly conditions with public boat ramp access.

Are there free kayak launches near Waynesville?

Yes! Most public boat ramps near Waynesville are free to use. Some state parks and recreation areas may charge a small parking or entrance fee.