Vital Statistics: At the Morrow Mountain State Park boat ramp, you're greeted with happy choices about where and how much to paddle. To the left (north) is Falls Dam, which holds back the Yadkin River and forms Badin Lake.
At the boat ramp, what remains of the Yadkin River meets the Uwharrie River and begins forming Lake Tillery, which extends to your right (south) about 15 miles.
The paddle-able length of the Uwharrie (in front of you) extends about 17 miles. All of these data points mean that you can have a quick paddle to the dam and back, about 15 or so minutes, or up the Uwharrie River, or south into Lake Tillery. You can paddle all day if it suits you.
The boat ramp, located at the end of the state park road, isn't tricky at all to use. Though parking is minimal, you can unload your kayaks in the the boat lot, and drive over to a larger lot that's nearer the boathouse to leave your vehicle.
At the boat ramp, what remains of the Yadkin River meets the Uwharrie River and begins forming Lake Tillery, which extends to your right (south) about 15 miles.
The paddle-able length of the Uwharrie (in front of you) extends about 17 miles. All of these data points mean that you can have a quick paddle to the dam and back, about 15 or so minutes, or up the Uwharrie River, or south into Lake Tillery. You can paddle all day if it suits you.
The boat ramp, located at the end of the state park road, isn't tricky at all to use. Though parking is minimal, you can unload your kayaks in the the boat lot, and drive over to a larger lot that's nearer the boathouse to leave your vehicle.
You may have some ramp contention with the boaters who are there to fish. And my first-time observation is that most people come to fish. And because many people rent canoes at the boathouse, they put in up at the boathouse and not at the public ramp. But everyone seemed nice and patient as we took turns launching and returning.
On a summer day, you will likely see a lot of skiers, ski boats, and jet skies. My brief trip revealed substantial waterside development, and just about every cabin had a boat shed of some sort. The guys who worked in the state park boathouse advised me that the farther south I paddled, the more I'd see the ski boats. The answer? Turn around if you don't enjoy that sort of competition for the water space.
Observed Boating Etiquette: Most people exhibited acceptable boating etiquette. I saw only one boatload of yahoos who thought it was good manners to speed by the kayakers. Of course, you can always hear these folks coming, so quit paddling and turn your kayak perpendicular to them so as to ride the wake and the rollers they leave behind.
Rentals: You can rent canoes from the boathouse during the season. (I didn't see kayaks.) Since rental rates change and sometimes the NC Park service cuts hours due to budgets, you can check those websites for most current info.
Restrooms: Yes, at the boathouse! The facilities are new and clean.
Snacks: Yes! At the boathouse! (This boathouse rocks...whenever I can spend the day paddling and then quickly get and snarf down an ice cream sandwich, I'm having a good day. Go boathouse dudes!)
Picnic tables: Yes! Between the boathouse and the boat ramp! Just be careful if you use a camp stove. Some lunatics have put their stoves on the tables and melted the tables (They aren't wood, but are some synthetic melty material.) Don't be a lunatic and follow suit. Because of privately-owned land along much of the shoreline, you won't have many opportunities to beach and get out of your boat to snack.
Suitable for first-timers: Maybe, if the first-timers are not too fearful. The water isn't hard, but the vistas make it look harder than it is. Given the scale of the water, though, a windy day will create some choppy paddling.
Which way to paddle? Your choice. Paddle north to see Falls Dam. I understand that before the dam was built, the falls (now underwater) provided the best whitewater in the central part of the state. Today you'll see some rocky outcroppings and lots of turtles. Seriously, lots of turtles.
Paddle east up the Uwharrie River. The first useful landmark is Dutchman Creek coming in from the right, about 1.5 miles upstream. If you paddle all the way to Cotton Place Road, you've gone about six miles.
Paddle south to enter the bigger part of Lake Tillery.
However you string together your route, do paddle up the Uwharrie River. Why? Because on the return trip you'll get a good view of Morrow Mountain. While the Uwharries aren't the Rockies, you'll be surprised by just how hilly the terrain in this part of the state is. I understand that you can see lots of wildflowers in the spring. Since my trip was in early October, I saw leaves beginning to turn.
Paddle east up the Uwharrie River. The first useful landmark is Dutchman Creek coming in from the right, about 1.5 miles upstream. If you paddle all the way to Cotton Place Road, you've gone about six miles.
Paddle south to enter the bigger part of Lake Tillery.
However you string together your route, do paddle up the Uwharrie River. Why? Because on the return trip you'll get a good view of Morrow Mountain. While the Uwharries aren't the Rockies, you'll be surprised by just how hilly the terrain in this part of the state is. I understand that you can see lots of wildflowers in the spring. Since my trip was in early October, I saw leaves beginning to turn.
What will I see beside rolling ancient mountains? Birds! I saw two bald eagles, several herons, five cormorants, many kingfishers engaged in aerial warfare, and scads of turtles. The turtles here were particularly amusing: after they slid away from the rocks where they were sunning, they'd poke their heads just out of the water to see if I had departed their area. And save time for a trip to the top of Morrow Mountain. You'll be surprised at the long-distance views.
Anything scary? Having rafted the Nantahala River, I was concerned, when I heard the word dam, that some sort of water release would occur and that, worse, I'd be out there when it took place. While water was tumbling through the dam creating electricity and creating a bit of current to paddle against to get to the dam, the dudes at the boathouse assured me that fluctuations in water level were rare and minor.
Anything scary? Having rafted the Nantahala River, I was concerned, when I heard the word dam, that some sort of water release would occur and that, worse, I'd be out there when it took place. While water was tumbling through the dam creating electricity and creating a bit of current to paddle against to get to the dam, the dudes at the boathouse assured me that fluctuations in water level were rare and minor.
Other amenities: Darned good campground with hot showers in the state park. Yay! But be aware: you may need reservations for a site. Being in the central part of the state, this campground sees a lot of business on the weekends.
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