About
Cape Fear River — Cornwallis at Wilmington, 1781. From Lillington to the Atlantic, the Cape Fear cuts 191 miles through Bladen and New Hanover counties on 4,200 CFS average flow — big water that handles everything from solo kayaks to commercial barges. The upper reach from Lillington to Elizabethtown runs as blackwater through Class I riffles, while the middle section from Elizabethtown to Navassa marks the tidal transition. Below Wilmington, the lower Cape Fear opens to brackish water where kayak anglers work the saltwater interface. At optimal flows between 1,000–5,000 CFS (gauge 02105500), the river moves with authority but stays manageable for experienced paddlers. In 2019, researchers documented ancient bald cypress along the Black River tributary — some of the oldest trees in eastern North America. Mahanaim Adventures outfits trips along the designated North Carolina Paddle Trail sections, which follow much of the Cape Fear River Basin corridor.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.