Address: US National Whitewater Center
Pricing: Varied
Phone: (704) 391-3900
Hours: Dawn to Dusk 7 days a week. Rafting and Restaurant hours vary.
How To Get There:
From the 485/85 intersection (west of uptown and near the airport), head northward on 485 (toward Statesville). Exit at Exit 12, Moores Chapel Rd. Take a left off of the exit, which will take you around two traffic circles. Take a right on Rhyne Rd., and an immediate left on to Belmeade Dr. Follow Belmeade Dr. for about 1 mile and look for the USNWC entrance on your left.
Parking:$5 per day. $40 for season pass.
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U.S. National Whitewater Center: An outdoor enthusiast's paradise
Mar 9, 2010
Less than 15 miles from Uptown Charlotte, and within the city limits, is a unique paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. The U.S. National Whitewater Center is a one-of-a-kind mixture of land and water activities for adventure seekers of all ages and skill level.
The center is a combination of an amusement park and a public park, and encompasses nearly 400 acres of excitement including the world’s largest re-circulating river with Class II – IV rapids, 14 miles of biking and hiking trails and a large outdoor climbing facility.
The USNWC was built to accommodate the U.S. Olympic Kayak team, and the members can regularly be seen navigating through the “competition channel.” But the center is not just for world-class kayakers, it also offers rafting options for anyone looking to get a little wet.
The center also caters to those who may want adventure, but want that adventure to stay on land. Activities for the land-lover include climbing a 57-foot climbing wall, mountain biking through one of the numerous trails, taking a turn floating over the man-made river on the Mega Zip, or Eco-trekking through the woods using a GPS unit.
The USNWC has gone through a lot of changes to its’ pricing structure since opening up in 2007, but have seemed to settle on offering all-inclusive passes. A single day “All-Sport Pass” (which includes 90-minutes of rafting as well as all land activities and rentals for one full day) is $49 for adults and $29 for children under 11-years-old. If you are looking to just do the land activities, you can get the “Cool Sport Pass” for $29 for an adult or a child. $139 gets you the yearlong season pass for all the land activities. Make sure to visit their Web site at www.usnwc.org for the most up-to-date prices.
If you own your own equipment, and are just looking to use the trails for hiking or mountain biking, then all you need to do is pay the $5 daily parking fee. For $40 you can get a parking pass for the whole season, and many have taken advantage of this and use the USNWC as the perfect outdoor place to bring their dog for a walk or just enjoy the fresh air.
Whether you take part in the adventure, or you are just enjoying the outdoors, you’ll want to grab a beer and some food at the River’s Edge Bar and Grill situated right on the edge of the most exciting section of whitewater. Although not inexpensive, the restaurant serves up some great southern staples like fried pickles, sweet potato fries, and a Trout BLT. Appetizers cost between $6 - $8, and the hearty salads and sandwiches are between $8 - $12.
The USNWC is a hidden gem to many who reside in the Queen City, and visitors are usually blown away during their first visit. Many cities have incredible public parks, great restaurants, fantastic live theater and professional sports teams. Charlotte is the only one that has the U.S. National Whitewater Center.
- by Mike D'Avria, Charlotte Reporter for HelloMetro
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Mike D'AvriaMike D'Avria graduated with a Journalism Degree from Indiana University in 2003.
He worked for the daily newspaper, The Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. before turning to freelance writing and video production.
Mike is the Executive Editor of CampLeadership.org, and has lived in Charlotte for four years.
