Where To Go Kayaking Near Cashiers, NC
When you’re in Western North Carolina, you’re never far from a great kayaking spot. Our corner of the state is dotted with lakes and crisscrossed by rivers, making it one big playground for anyone who enjoys paddling.
You’ll find sprawling reservoirs, small secluded lakes and whitewater streams for all skill and experience levels in our area. These are some of our favorite places to hit the water near Cashiers and Highlands.
Lake Glenville
It’s hard to imagine a more perfect kayaking lake in North Carolina than Lake Glenville. This picturesque reservoir spans over 1,400 acres and offers 26 miles of shoreline. It’s just 8 miles from Cashiers and mere footsteps from the backdoor of our Luxury Lakefront Cabins.
Lake Glenville is surrounded by rolling tree-covered hills and offers great scenery in all seasons. Kayakers are often greeted by the vibrant blossoms of flame azaleas in spring, and by rich autumnal foliage in fall. The water is crystal clear, and although boats of unlimited horsepower are permitted on the lake, it also has numerous small secluded coves that are perfect for kayaking.
You can enjoy paddling around Lake Glenville’s several small islands, as well as casting a line for bass and panfish as you make your way around the wooded shorelines. Another feature that makes Lake Glenville unique is that it is fed by four secluded waterfalls, which are accessible only by boat. Paddling up to the falls is a great kayak experience here.
Several public parks and boat launch sites offer access to Lake Glenville. The public launch on Pine Creek Road is a great spot, and you can also put in at The Pines Recreation Area.
Lake Glenville
Location: Jackson County, North Carolina, United States
Area: 5.949 km²
Max. depth: more than 130 ft (40 m)
Surface elevation: 1,065 m
Shore length1: 26 mi (42 km)
East Fork Tuckasegee River
Some of the best whitewater in the Cashiers area can be found on the East Fork Tuckasegee River. There’s something here for paddlers of all experience levels, though anyone who doesn’t have much whitewater kayaking experience should definitely go in the company of someone who knows their way around.
There are several excellent stretches on the East Fork Tuckasegee River, but most paddlers head to the area below the Cedar Cliff Reservoir dam, from the village of Tuckasegee to Cullowhee. This stretch includes rapids ranging from Class I to Class III, and is best known for two features referred to as The Slab and Eternity Hole.
The most common put-in for this section of river is the Shook Cove Road Access Area, on State Rd 1135. The Slab is just 50 yards below the put-in, and Eternity Hole is about an eighth of a mile further. An additional take-out site is located downriver at East LaPorte River Access Park, but many kayakers simply exit the river below Eternity Hole and walk back up to where they parked.
Lake Jocassee
A fairly large reservoir that spans 7,565 acres, Lake Jocassee lies across the state line between North and South Carolina, with the majority of the lake being in the latter. Lake Jocassee is just a 30 to 40 minute drive from Cashiers, and it’s a phenomenal place to go kayaking.
One of the things that make Lake Jocassee special is that it is almost completely undeveloped. Its shores are surrounded by parks and recreation areas, including 43,000 acres of mostly untouched forest. The lake is fed by the Whitewater, Thompson, Horsepasture and Toxaway rivers, and its many coves and arms are great for exploring by kayak.
The lake is known for its several waterfalls, and for the rugged Jocassee Gorge. Several launch sites are available, including Devil’s Hole State Park, and the lake provides a relaxing, peaceful paddling experience for kayakers of all skill levels.
A popular day trip from Asheville and Charlotte, Lake Jocassee is busiest during the summer months. Kayakers who get an early start can have the water all to themselves in early spring or late fall, and the lake provides some excellent fishing as well.
Lake Jocassee
Location: Oconee / Pickens counties, South Carolina, United States
Area: 30.35 km²
Average depth: 158 ft (48 m)
Surface elevation: 335 m
Shore length: 75 mi (121 km)
Little Tennessee River
A major waterway that flows from Georgia through North Carolina into Tennessee, the Little Tennessee River provides a broad array of paddling opportunities. Conditions range from broad, lazy river floating to moderately challenging whitewater depending on what section of the river you paddle and what time of year you visit.
There are great sections all over the river, but the 24-mile stretch from Franklin, NC to the upper end of Fontana Lake has a great concentration of beautiful scenery and fun paddling in a relatively small area. Franklin is just 45 minutes from Cashiers and 30 minutes from Highlands.
There are more than a dozen public launch sites between Franklin and Fontana Lake, and the river is crisscrossed by NC-28, which provides access to many prime spots. Emory Dam, Lost Bridge, Rattlesnake Creek, Needmore Bridge and Sawmill Creek are just a few of the great places to put in or take out.
The Little Tennessee River is at its highest in early spring and its lowest in mid-summer, so plan accordingly. Most of the rapids are mild, but some of the more turbulent sections may be challenging for novice paddlers. In many places, the river stair-steps down over tiers of rocky ledges, which can be very enjoyable to run.
Little Tennessee River
Location: Blue Ridge, Appalachian Mountains, North Carolina
Area: 135-mile (217 km)
Bear Creek Lake
A hidden gem surrounded by charming mountain scenery, Bear Creek Lake is a 500-acre reservoir that was created in 1950 with the completion of a dam on the East Fork Tuckasegee River. The south side of the lake is privately owned, but most of the north shore is undeveloped, with trees right down to the shoreline.
Bear Creek Lake’s relatively small size makes it ideal for paddling, and the surrounding mountains largely shield it from strong winds. The lake offers crystal-clear water, and anglers will be pleased to learn that the state stocks it with trout every year.
The upper (eastern) end of the lake is especially scenic, with a small island, steep banks and a waterfall on Sols Creek that is visible from the lake. Starting at the Bear Lake Boat Ramp at the west end of the lake, paddling to the upper end of the lake and back in a day is very doable.
Bear Creek Lake
Location: Jackson County, North Carolina
Area: 500 acres
Shore length: 13.5 mi (21.72 km)
Choose Your Adventure In Cashiers, NC
The Cashiers and Lake Glenville Area is an incredible hub for outdoor adventures in Western North Carolina. From kayaking and whitewater rafting to hiking and mountain biking, there are endless ways to experience the great outdoors near our Luxury Lakefront Cabins. Contact us today to learn more!