Great Alamance Creek runs 11 miles from its headwaters in Guilford County; the last two gradually open to prepare you for the ample span of the Haw. The change is subtle: just after putting in, the creek is close, intimate, friendly. By the time you reach the Haw, though, you should be comfortable with the notion that you are paddling a decent-size river.

Great Alamance Creek’s closer banks also mean more of the creek is shaded by a dense hardwood canopy, a welcome attribute on a summer’s paddle. That shielding canopy is especially important because Great Alamance Creek is one of the few places along the Haw that almost always has enough water to paddle during the heat of summer.

This flat water paddle has very little flow during normal water levels, so the stretch may be paddled in both directions from Great Alamance Creek Paddle Access or the Swepsonville River Park Lower Access. This is a quick paddle. Despite your best efforts you’ll likely find yourself at the confluence with the Haw in less than an hour so a paddle back up the creek to the Great Alamance Creek Access is doable- even for beginners.