About the State Trail

The Roanoke River State Trail is a paddle trail extending from Weldon to the Albemarle Sound. Despite meandering through the coastal plain of North Carolina, this paddle trail offers a unique wilderness experience to all who venture along its length. While there are some opportunities for day trips on the eastern end of the river, most paddlers need to be prepared for a multiday journey on this state trail. Bear, beaver, river otter, white-tailed deer, bobcat, and over 200 bird species will keep you company on your expedition. Overhead are ancient bald cypress and tupelo trees. Riverside camping platforms make spending the night along the river a true adventure.

Trail blaze for Roanoke River State Trail

The tent in the RRST blaze is reminiscent of the camping platforms that are available (reservations required) along the wilder stretches of the Roanoke.

Trail Use

Paddling

Partner Organization

Tab/Accordion Items

The Roanoke River Partners is a nonprofit organization with members from each of the five counties that the Roanoke River flows through. One of the RRP's first and biggest projects was to create a paddle / camping trail along the river and its creeks that would increase awareness of the treasure that is the Roanoke, and build infrastructure for small businesses like guides, outfitters, and many others in the region, new and old. Visitors can trace the curves of the Roanoke and its tributaries, discovering the variety of wildlife and habitats it offers and enjoying the unique experience of spending a night (or more) in the breathtaking beauty of its moss-draped back swamps. The RRP brought eco-tourism to the Roanoke.

About Partner Organizations

The legislation that created the Complete the Trails program requires that funds be distributed by the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation to a nonprofit partner for each trail. To be the recognized partner, an organization must have a Memorandum of Understanding with the Division and an approved 3- to 5-year plan for deploying the funds to develop the state trail.

As part of the Complete the Trail Program, each state trail partner organization was required to submit a five-year plan, outlining priorities and goals until 2027 for their trail. Excerpts from the plan are outlined below.

Download the Plan (PDF)

 

Capacity Building Fund Projects:

Capacity building funds will be used to support a regional and a paddle trail coordinator. Duties of this coordinator will include: program development and administration, maintenance of records and documents related to the Complete the Trail Fund projects on the RRST, volunteer recruitment and training, marketing and communications, search for additional grant funding, and paddle trail promotion.

Priority CTP Projects:

  • Camping platform repair / renovation
  • Campsite(s) construction at RRP Mile Markers 35, 44, 50, and 85
  • Town of Hamilton boat ramp – floating dock and kayak rack at RRP Mile Marker 72
  • Rosenwald Visitor Center renovations at RRP Mile Marker 72

 

Estimated cost for all RRST priority projects $1,030,000
Estimated cost for all RRST projects $1,000,000+
CTP allocation for RRST $507,375

 

 

Banner photo: Camping platforms on the Roanoke River