The French Broad River Paddle Trail
By Dave Russell
The French Broad River Paddle Trail is a recreational watercraft trail created and operated by two nonprofits in Asheville, NC, RiverLink and MountainTrue. The paddle trail facilitates public access to, and camping on, over 140 miles of the French Broad River, from the headwaters in Rosman, North Carolina to Douglas Lake in Tennessee.
The French Broad River Paddle Trail began in 2012 and links more than 140 miles of the French Broad River, from the headwaters in Rosman, NC to Douglas Lake, TN. The Trail serves to protect the river as a resource for recreation, environmental stewardship, education, and economic development. This low impact water trail is guided by âLeave No Traceâ principles, with rustic campsites spaced approximately 8-10 miles apart. All campsites are paddle-in only and reservations are required. To plan your trip using an interactive map and to make a reservation, visit riverlink.org/app and frenchbroadpaddle.com. Campsites vary in size and facilities. MountainTrueâs 6 sites cost $25 per night. Three additional campsites by RiverLink are free, though reservations are a must.
The Southeast is fortunate to have other paddle trails, or âBluewaysâ as theyâre sometimes known. The websites listed below will give you all the details on reservations and what to expect.
Greenbrier River Trail, W.Va.
This 80-mile canoe trail has mild rapids and campsites every five miles. Bonus: a crushed-gravel bike path parallels the river, making self-shuttling easy for multi-sport adventurers, greenbrierrailtrailstatepark.com
Upper James River Water Trail, Va.
Paddle 45 miles of the Upper James backcountry through valleys and farmland. Youâll see some class II whitewater and camp at a mix of private and forest service campgrounds, upperjamesriverwatertrail.com
Tennessee River Blueway
This could be the perfect urban adventure. The blueway runs 50 miles from Chickamauga Dam south through downtown Chattanooga to the Nickajack Dam. Island camping galore, even downtown, canoetennessee.com
Etowah River Water Trail
The 165-mile Etowah River Trail is still a work in progress, but if you paddle the full length, youâll pass Indian Mounds, skirt hip towns like Ellijay, and see some of North Georgiaâs wildest country, etowahwatertrail.org
Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail, South Carolina
Donât let the color of the water full you, this blackwater river could be the cleanest stream on this list. Paddle by cypress swamps and camp in tree houses during this 57-mile journey, canoesc.com
Happy paddling!
Dave Russell is the Volunteer Services Manager at RiverLink, 828-252-8474, Ext. 11, or dave@riverlink.org. To find out more about RiverLink and its many programs championing Western North Carolina waterways, visit www.riverlink.org.