October Paddles & Events
Fri: Oct 9
Black River Cypress Preserve
11:30AM
Highlights
- Dream for nature lovers
- Paddle through pristine waterway
- Majestic cypress trees creating natural cathedral
- Towering forms and sprawling roots
- Challenges of navigating around beaver dams
- Industriousness of beavers on display
- Serene environment and peaceful creek flow
Sun: Oct 11
Punch Bowl | Little Pee Dee
10:30AM
Highlights
- Paddle through ancient cypress forests sculpted by time and blackwater flow
- Follow a gentle, unhurried route perfect for beginners and relaxed explorers
- Slip through narrow passages leading to a hidden, history‑mystery treehouse
- Enjoy a quiet on‑the‑water lunch break while immersed in untouched river scenery
Mon: Oct 12
Lumber River State Park
11:00AM
Highlights
- Length & Duration: Approximately 9–12 miles with a typical paddle time of 4–6 hours, depending on current and pace.
- Scenic Landscape: Calm blackwater winding through cypress and tupelo forests with minimal development—offering a truly natural escape.
- Wildlife Viewing: Frequent sightings of birds, turtles, deer, and other native species along quiet bends.
- Rest Opportunities: Several sandbars and shoreline clearings ideal for lunch stops, breaks, or stretching.
- Skill Level: Accessible for intermediate paddlers and beginners with some experience—no rapids and few obstacles.
Tue: Oct 13
Wacca Wachee Marina
11:00AM
Highlights
Cut‑Grass Corridors: Narrow, winding passages of tall cut grass create a unique, maze‑like paddling experience with shifting light and tight turns.
Scenic Landscape: Classic Waccamaw blackwater featuring cypress, cedar, and Spanish moss with a mix of shaded forest bends and open grassy channels.
Wildlife Viewing: Regular encounters with herons, egrets, osprey, turtles, and occasional deer or gators along quiet stretches of Cow House Creek and Vaux Creek.
Loop Navigation: A satisfying full‑circle route connecting Wacca Wachee to Cow House Creek, around Laurel Hill Island, and returning via the scenic one‑mile Vaux Creek.
Wed: Oct 14
Waccamaw River
11:00AM
Highlights
- A peaceful paddle through a lush cypress and tupelo corridor
- Gentle blackwater currents ideal for beginners and nature lovers
- Opportunities to spot herons, egrets, kingfishers, otters, and deer
- Seasonal wildflowers, dragonflies, and vibrant riverbank scenery
- A tranquil, immersive journey through one of the region’s most beautiful ecosystems
Fri: Oct 16-18
Halloween Camping Event
2 Nights / 2 Paddles
Highlights
- Paddle two scenic half-day paddles along the Revolutionary Trails of the Lynches River
- Camp riverside with evening campfires, s’mores, and spooky fun Halloween themed games
- Attend the “City of Halloween” Festival in Conway.
- Win Prizes up to a full one year membership package with 5 trip tickets!
Wed: Oct 21
Lumber River | Boardman
11:00AM
Highlights
- Length & Duration: Approximately 8-9 miles with a typical paddle time of 4–5 hours, depending on current and pace.
- Scenic Landscape: Calm blackwater winding through cypress and tupelo forests with minimal development—offering a truly natural escape.
- Wildlife Viewing: Frequent sightings of birds, turtles, deer, and other native species along quiet bends.
- Rest Opportunities: Several sandbars and shoreline clearings ideal for lunch stops, breaks, or stretching. (Water level dependent)
- Skill Level: Accessible for intermediate paddlers and beginners with some experience—no rapids but typically some obstacles.
Fri: Oct 23
Drowning Creek | Part 1
10:30AM
Highlights
- Paddle through a serene corridor of towering cypress and sycamore trees with roots dipping into the water.
- Enjoy sunlight filtering through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the creek’s surface.
- Connect with the historical significance of the creek, tied to the Lumbee people and their traditions.
- Spot graceful herons, turtles basking on logs, and other wildlife along the tranquil waterway.
- Take advantage of secluded sandbars as perfect resting spots to soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Sun: Oct 25
Hell’s Gate
11:00AM
Highlights
- Paddle through the narrow, iconic passage of Hell’s Gate
- Drift beneath towering cypress and tupelo in a rainforest‑like corridor
- Enjoy a relaxed, immersive pace perfect for beginners and nature lovers
- Watch for river otters and other wildlife that thrive in this lush ecosystem
Mon: Oct 26
Hunters Full Moon Paddle
6:00PM
Highlights
- Kayak through winding creeks of Cherry Grove
- Beach at secluded area on Waties Island
- Watch the full moon rise out of the Atlantic
- Enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate
- Thrilling exploration with serene moonlit beauty
Wed: Oct 28
Sunrise Dunn Sound Paddle
7:00AM
Highlights
Dynamic Route Options: Multiple pathways through the Cherry Grove Backwaters allow each trip to unfold differently while maintaining a consistently challenging experience.
Backwater-to-Sound Transition: The journey blends quiet, winding creeks with the open, moving water of Dunn Sound, offering both serenity and high-energy segments.
North End Beach Landing: The final destination at Little River Inlet provides a rewarding shoreline landing with expansive views and excellent birding opportunities.
Thu: Oct 29th
Wambaw Creek
11:00AM
Highlights
- Paddle through moss‑draped cypress forests shaped by centuries of blackwater flow
- Follow a gentle, unhurried route ideal for beginners and relaxed explorers
- Navigate quiet, winding passages that feel untouched and wonderfully remote
- Enjoy a tranquil sandbar break immersed in the creek’s pristine natural beauty
Fri: Oct 30
Lynches River: Riverside
11:00AM
Highlights
Length & Duration: A ten‑mile downstream paddle typically completed in 5–6 hours with a steady, relaxed pace.
Scenic Blackwater: Quiet, reflective Lynches River lined with towering cypress and untouched natural forest.
Wildlife Encounters: Frequent sightings of birds, turtles, deer, and other native species along calm bends.
Tell us what you think about this blog! Did you like it? Your feedback helps us determine if we will keep posting monthly trip previews!
This is a great easily read format!
I like it!
This makes it so easy to see what’s ahead and plan. (I’m sad I won’t be able to take full advantage, but I’m sure others certainly will!)
Personally not liking it – I preferred the old way – look at the calendar- click on to get details- choose what I want 😊
The old way is still completely in-tack. Nothing changed. The blog is just a way to look at things in a snapshot with dates and launch times. You can still click the button at the top of the member page and do things just as you always have :)… Thanks for the feedback!
I love it. Yes, keep the new format.
I like it. I like it a lot.
Love the new format!
I love it. Very nice to see trip descriptions in one place. Eliminates a lot of clicking back and forth in the calendar area. It would be nice to also see a trip description after you click on events in the calendar. Currently when you click on an event in the calendar it takes you to a page to sign up, but no description. I’ve noticed this is possibly a FareHarbor issue as I’ve noticed the same thing in other FareHarbor booking engines as well.
You are correct! That is a fareharbor thing that I’ve moaned and groaned about with them. The hack is to click the button at the top of the page that says “Member only day trips” this will take you to a different calendar view and you will be able to scroll through and click on the details of each trip.
Either format works for us.
Both formats are good and work for us.
I think it looks great! It’s easy to maneuver, I like all the descriptions of the trips, and I hope to get back on the water soon!!
Thank you!
I like it, especially when you (sorry, meant Ripple!) include distance and time.
I love the new “broadcast “ version to view all the trips! Instead of just looking at a calendar and clicking on individual dates & hvg to go back & forth, it scrolls through all of them easily and one can go right from there to see the details and then book if desired! Love it. Always making it better Justin.