Lower Greene section of the Greene River

Say the Benners (see “A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Carolinas” below): “Next to the Nantahala, this section of the Greene is paddled more than any river in North Carolina.” Says our Charlotte staff: “The Lower Greene is fantastic for beginner paddlers. Easy shuttle and good safe family fun. The Greene typically runs every weekend during the summer. It will surely be your weekend warrior favorite.”

Hard to get a better endorsement than that. Plus, if you’re new to Class II water, the road parallels the Greene for this entire stretch, making for easy scouting.

For a complete description of this stretch, including hazards, consult “A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Carolinas” (see below).

More info, including maps and access: “A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Carolinas,” by Bob and David Benner (Menasha Ridge Press, 2002)

Getting there from downtown Charlotte

/—/
Rating: Class I-II
Length: 6 miles
Drive: 1 hour 40 minutes from downtown
Put-in: SR 1151 bridge
Latitude: 35.1649
Longitude: 82.1812
Take-out: SR 1151/Green Cove Road (where the road leaves the Greene before it flows into Lake Adger)
Latitude: 35.1896
Longitude: 82.1489
Time to complete: 2.5 hours
Gauge: Visual
Minimum flow: NA
City: Saluda
State: NC