Activities

Locations mentioned on this page are noted on our map.

Hiking
There are no authorized State Parks trails at this time, but there are multiple unofficial footpaths you can hike along the lower Haw.  Enjoy this beautiful area, but please do not trespass on private property.
  • Bynum Dam parking lot on US 15-501
    A footpath goes upstream along the east side of the Haw.

  • Old Bynum Bridge (Bynum Rd) and Bynum Mill Access (Bynum Church Rd) parking lots
    A footpath goes downstream along the east side of the Haw.

  • US 64 and the Haw River
    There are three places to park where the Haw crosses US 64.  A very small gravel parking lot on the south east side, a large paved parking lot on the south west side, and some roadside parking on the north west side.  From all parking lots, you can hike upstream and downstream the Haw.  The footpath from the parking lot on the north west side is not directly adjacent to the river.

  • Robeson Creek Canoe Launch parking lot
    A footpath goes upstream along the west side of the Haw, eventually all the way to US 64. 

Kayaking / Canoeing

There are multiple places where canoes and kayaks can put in along the lower sections of the Haw River.  A good reference guide to consult is Paddling Eastern North Carolina by Paul Ferguson (3rd Edition 2018) for detailed information and maps of each section of the Haw River.  Brief descriptions for Section 8 above the Bynum dam, Section 9 from below the dam to US 64, and Section 10 from US 64 to Robeson Creek are available on these Great Outdoor Provision Company web site links.  More detailed descriptions may be found on the American Whitewater website (see our Links page for specific sections).

Caution:  please check the USGS river gauge near Bynum for water level height in feet, and flow in cubic feet per second, before your trip since water levels and flow can be dangerous.  Also check the 3 and 7 day forecasts for potential river levels near Bynum on the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (near bottom of web page) to evaluate whether current conditions are likely to remain stable. Flood stage is 11 feet on the Bynum gauge.
  • Bynum Dam parking lot on US 15-501
    Canoes and kayaks can be put in above the dam, and the river is generally flat for about a mile upstream.

  • Old Bynum Bridge (Bynum Rd), Bynum Mill Access (Bynum Church Rd), and Bynum Beach (Bynum Beach Rd) parking lots
    For experts only, going downstream to US 64 or beyond

  • US 64 Haw River Canoe Access parking lot
    For experts only, going downstream to the Canoe Launch or beyond

  • Robeson Creek Canoe Launch parking lot
    Canoes and kayaks can be put in on the Haw (despite the location's name "Robeson Creek"), and the river is generally flat for a bit upstream, and quite a bit more downstream, all the way to Jordan Lake.

  • Robeson Creek Boat Ramp
    This boat launch is maintained by NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and has a full boat launch, not just for canoes and kayaks.  From here, you can take Robeson Creek about a mile to the Haw, and then go up or downstream.

Birding and Other Wildlife Viewing

Some of the birds and other wildlife that you can see along the Haw River include:

Fishing

For information on freshwater fishing regulations, see the current North Carolina Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest or visit www.ncwildlife.org.  Fishing spots along the Haw River include:
  • Robeson Creek Canoe Access (GPS Coordinates 35.7164, -79.0965) for Catfish, Largemouth bass, Sunfish, White bass
  • US 15-501 Canoe Access (GPS Coordinates 35.7767, -79.1459) for Catfish, Largemouth bass, Sunfish
  • US 64 Canoe Access (GPS Coordinates 35.7309, -79.1069) for Catfish, Largemouth bass, Sunfish