Neuse River
Wake / Craven Co. · 275 mi · Class Riffles
168CFS/ 5.98 ft
Below Optimal
Stable
Optimal: 800–3000 CFS · USGS #02091500
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
275 mi
Length
Class Riffles
Difficulty
800–3000 cfs
Optimal
2,450 cfs
Avg Flow
2,200 cfs
Hist. Median
#02091500
USGS Gauge
NC Paddle Trail · Neuse River Trail Greenway

The Neuse River flows 275 miles from Falls Lake northwest of Raleigh to Pamlico Sound — the largest river entirely within North Carolina by drainage area. The Neuse supports a popular paddling scene around Raleigh, solid bass and catfish fishing throughout, and unique lower-river cypress swamps and tidal reaches. The Neuse River Trail is a 33-mile paved greenway along the river's Wake County reach.

Trip sections
Falls Lake to Raleigh — Class I, greenway corridor
Raleigh to Smithfield — Class I riffles, smallmouth and largemouth
Lower Neuse — Kinston to Pamlico Sound, tidal blackwater
Outfitters
Frog Hollow Outdoors
Neuse River kayak rentals and guided trips from Raleigh
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.