Canoe on banks of Neuse River

River Access Launch Sites on the Neuse

For Small Non-motorized Crafts i.e. Canoes and Kayaks


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Safety Locations

Raleigh Parks provides seven launches for non-motorized watercraft along 17 miles of the Neuse River starting at the Falls Lake Dam. The access points are designed for paddle-craft and are open from sunrise to sunset. Overnight use is not permitted at parking lots of river access points. Cars may not be left overnight.

Safety

People kayaking on the Neuse River
  • Fast moving currents can make it hard to reach shore, push you into obstructions, or even capsize your boat. Avoid entering the river during periods of high flow 
  • Stay clear of obstructions like downed trees, boulders, log jams, or bridge footings which can trap boats and people underwater.  
  • The bottom of the river is uneven – never stand in water deep enough to float you. If you end up in the water unexpectedly, float on your back with your feet facing downstream.  
  • Exit the water at the first sign of thunder and lightning. 
  • Never get in the water while intoxicated or impaired. 
  • Always wear a life jacket when on the river.  

Locations

Below are the river access locations, including directions and river miles from Falls Dam, and their distances apart. 

Distance Between River Access Points

Site Name Distance to Next Location
Falls Dam 4.7 miles
Thornton Road 5.6 miles
River Bend Park 1 mile
Buffaloe Road 4.5 miles
Milburnie Dam 2 miles
Anderson Point 1.5 miles
Poole Road N/A

Falls Dam

  • Address: 12098 Falls of the Neuse Road
  • Mile: .25
  • Directions: From the I 540 take Falls of the Neuse Road exit 14. Travel three miles and just before crossing over the Neuse River turn right on a gravel road which ends at the access point.  Turning left before the bridge will end in the Army Corps of Engineers parking lot which has access to the base of the dam.
  • Amenities:
    • Parking area that includes double parking for trailers
    • ADA parking

Thornton Road

  • Address: 6100 Thornton Road
  • Mile: 4.5
  • Directions: From the I 540 take Capital Blvd/US 1 North. Turn right on Thornton Road.  Stay on Thornton Road at the stop sign. Take a right into a gravel parking lot. The river access point is a half-mile down the paved greenway trail. Walk and carry your boat to the “T” intersection on the greenway. Turn right on the greenway and walk a short distance to the access points. Signs mark the location.   

River Bend Park

  • Address: 5610 Wallace Martin Way
  • Mile: 10
  • Directions: From the I 540 take 401 North to Midtown Market Ave. Turn Right on Perry Creek Road. Turn left on Wallace Martin Way and follow it to until you enter the park. Follow signs for Kayak Launch.
  • Amenities:

Buffaloe Road

  • Address: 4901 Elizabeth Drive
  • Mile: 10.7
  • Directions: From the I-440 beltline take Route 64 East exit 11B.  Travel two miles and turn right on Buffaloe Road. Travel 3.6 miles and just before crossing over the river turn right on Elizabeth Drive which will end at the access point.

Milburnie Dam

  • Address: 1101 Old Milburnie Road 
  • Mile: 14.2
  • Directions: From the I-440 beltline take Route 64 East exit 13B. Travel 2.7 miles and just after crossing the bridge over the river turn left on Old Milburnie Road.  Travel 0.2 miles and turn left on Loch Raven Parkway. Travel 100 yards and turn right onto a gravel road that leads to the river access downstream of the dam.
  • Amenities:
    • Parking area that includes double parking for trailers

Anderson Point

  • Address: 20 Anderson Point Drive
  • Mile: 16.2
  • Directions: From the I-440 beltline take Route 64 East exit 13B.  Travel 2.1 miles on New Bern Ave. Turn right on N. Rogers Lane. Follow until you reach a stop sign. Take a right to stay on N. Rogers Lane. Turn Left on Robbins Drive.  Take the first right onto Anderson Point Drive. Turn left into a small parking lot before crossing the bridge over Highway 64 into Anderson Point Park. At the end of the parking lot is a gravel road that leads to the river access.
  • Amenities:

Poole Road

  • Address: 6501 Poole Road
  • Mile: 17.7
  • Directions: From the I-440 beltline take the Poole Road East exit 15. Travel 2.4 miles and turn left on the gravel road best before crossing over the river.
  • Amenities:
    • Parking area that includes double parking for trailers

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