North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Boating  >  Where To Boat

Beginning June 1, 2020, all North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Weigh-In, Special Use, and L15 permits will be valid and allowable activities can continue as described in the specific permit. However, it is expected that all local, state, or federal recommendations or orders with social distancing and mass gatherings will be followed.

Boating Access Areas

With more than 300,000 registered vessels in North Carolina, boating is one of the state’s most popular activities year-round. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission provides more than 200 free Boating Access Areas (BAA) to over 100 different bodies of water. Check out the interactive BAA Locator below to find an area by address, water body or accessibility for disabled. 


 

Boating Access Area Full and Partial Closures

Boating Access Area County Body of Water Date Ranges Closed Reason for Closure
BAA restroom facilities Critical and Substantial Impact Counties Statewide Until Further Notice Restroom closures follow the metrics of the COVID-19 County Alert System.
Cedar Cliff Jackson Cedar Cliff Lake 9/3/2019 - 9/2021 Drawdown and dam maintenance by Duke Energy. For more information, see Water Access Alerts on https://www.duke-energy.com/community/lakes
Grassy Island Richmond Blewett Falls Reservoir 9/23/2020 - 9/2022 Drawdown and dam maintenance by Duke Energy. For more information, see Water Access Alerts on https://www.duke-energy.com/community/lakes
Great Lake Craven Great Lake Until Further Notice Hurricane damage
Lake Adger Polk Lake Adger Until Further Notice Caution: the area remains open but due to lake's drawdown the access will be limited and navigational issues may occur.
Pee Dee Anson Blewett Falls Reservoir 9/23/2020 - Until Further Notice Caution: the area remains open but due to lake's drawdown and dam maintenance by Duke Energy caution needs to be used. For more information, see Water Access Alerts on https://www.duke-energy.com/community/lakes
Rhodes Pond BAA & PFA Cumberland Rhodes Pond Until Further Notice Dam renovation
Snow Hill Greene Contentnea Creek 11/9/2020 - Until Further Notice Renovation
Straits Landing Carteret North River 3/5/2020 - Until Further Notice Intermittent closures and limited parking due to DOT bridge construction work.
Washington Baum Bridge Dare Roanoke Sound 3/10/2021 - 5/15/2021 Paving project.

Boating Guides


Statewide Boating
Access Area Guide
by Coastal, Piedmont and Mountain Regions
 

Coastal Boating Guide 
from the Spring Fishing & Boating Guide

Boater's Resources

Paddling

Boating Courtesies

  • Avoid causing erosion by operating at no wake near shore or in narrow streams or rivers.
  • Make sure all passengers have proper PFD's and have a safety discussion before departure.
  • To avoid noise pollution, vary your operating areas.
  • Stay aware and respect others using the waterways. Reduce your wake around those fishing or using smaller vessels.
  • Take all trash back to shore to be disposed of properly.