 wild-gem in northeast North Carolina, the Lower Roanoke River and its
tributaries offer a unique wilderness experience for kayakers and
canoeists. The camping trail presents not only another way to appreciate
the beauty of the area, it provides opportunities for the development of
businesses geared to the needs of eco-tourists.
Unique Territory
 Meandering through the Coastal plain to the Atlantic
Ocean, the Roanoke spreads out through the largest intact bottomland
hardwood swamp forest east of the Mississippi. Mistletoe and Spanish moss decorate majestic cypress trees and
towering tupelos. Blossoms of cardinal flowers blaze in shafts of sunlight
underneath.
 The area is home to black bear, river otter,
white-tail deer, bobcat, beaver and mink. Over 200 bird species have been identified including bald eagles,
barred owl, osprey, and anhinga. Coupled
with the hundreds of great egrets and great blue herons nesting in the
region, it is a birdwatcher's paradise. The River is renowned for its abundance of striped bass, largemouth
bass, black crappie, lunker catfish, gar and bowfin. Just above the
waterline, turtles sun on logs near the banks.
For thousands of years, dugout canoes have been the
ultimate vehicle to explore these amazing waters. In this spirit, RRP volunteers and contractors have constructed
trails and camping platforms
 in the Roanoke River backwaters offering a
swamp experience unlike any to be found in the Mid-Atlantic—a 200-mile
wilderness eco-adventure for people of all ages. The
Trail System features a series of water-bound camping structures that
allow paddlers to overnight in some of the amazing water jungles of NC's
coastal plain. Although the trail
facilities are developed, built and managed by Roanoke River Partners,
many are located on environmentally sensitive wetlands owned by The
Nature Conservancy. This
partnership is an excellent example of how RRP can bring together
different interest groups for the benefit of all. Another is on land
owned by Weyerhaeuser Company. Others are
under construction or being planned. |
