The Uwharrie River is a 60 mile long river that runs through the Piedmont region of central North Carolina in the United States. It is a tributary of the Pee Dee River, which flows to the Atlantic Ocean.
An almost 8-mile stretch follows the western boundary of the Uwharrie National Forest, making for excellent paddling adventures. The rugged terrain of the Uwharries is mirrored in the river, resulting in a dozen Class I rapids, and a few tricky passages guaranteed that may test a novice boat-handler’s boat-handling skills.
Crossing the Uwharrie River on Low Water Bridge Road, which runs from Coggins Mine Road in Eldorado to Ophir Road. The site is a popular canoe-kayak access on the river. Lands on all four corners are owned and protected by the Landtrust for Central North Carolina.
Be alert at the takeout at Low Bridge Road. The road gets its name for good reason: you can’t paddle under it so be prepared to land in advance, especially when the water is up.
