Paddle Trails Click on trail numbers to get directions to access points and trail information.

Lower Neuse Region 4 contains the following counties: Carteret (CA), Craven (CR), Pamlico (PA) Coastal Region Paddle Trails Map with county names. The trail names can be broken down as follows: "region letter"-"County/ies the trail is in"-"trail number". More detail on the Trail Naming Convention is available on the map list page. Trail Descriptions LN-PA-22     Smith Creek Trail, 6 Miles Skill Level: Novice/Intermediate Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Time Required: 3-7 Hours Located approximately 1.1 mile southwest of the sleepy town of Vandemere, Smith Creek offers a short paddling opportunity for a family outing. Smith Creek is approximately 1.3 miles long and winds through a tree lined brackish estuary. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere LN-PA-23     Vandemere Creek Trail, 8 Miles Skill Level: Beginner/Novice Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Time Required: 4-8 Hours The fishing village of Vandemere is the beginning of the paddle trail on Vandemere Creek. This creek can be used by canoeist or kayakers and traverses through the heartland of northeastern Pamlico County. Along Vandemere Creek one can see the remnants of old docks, piers and boats that once supported the water-based economy of the area. Vandemere Creek is approximately 4.2 miles long one way and provides an opportunity for a day-long outing. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere LN-PA-24     Cedar Creek Trail, 0.8 Miles Skill Level: Beginner/Novice Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Time Required: 1 Hour A small tributary off Vandemere Creek, this creek offers an interesting side trip or a shorter outing from Vandemere. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere LN-PA-25     Little Vandemere Creek Trail, 0.8 Miles Skill Level: Beginner/Novice Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Time Required: 1 Hour This trail offers a side trip off of Vandemere Creek, and gives the paddler an opportunity to paddle into the small community of Mesic. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere LN-PA-26     Long Creek Trail, 1.3 Miles Skill Level: Beginner/Novice Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Time Required: 1 Hour Located just around the bend from Vandemere, this trail offers an option for a shorter outing from Vandemere. This trail passes through forested woodlands and offers a great opportunity for viewing wildlife. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere LN-PA-27     Gale Creek/Bay River Trail, 8 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 4-6 Hours This trail is a continuation of the Bay River North Shore Trail. It begins at the boat launch in Vandemere and continues north to the head of Gale Creek. The majority of this trail is exposed to open waters and caution should be exercised by those using this trail. Winds out of the northeast and east will have the most impact on this trail. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic 3) Bridge Crossing on NC 304 North of Mesic LN-PA-28     Oyster Creek Trail 1.7 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 2-4 Hours A side trail of the Gale Creek/Bay River Trail, this trail begins at the 3.1 mile point along the Gale Creek/Bay River Kayak Trail and offers the opportunity to explore the marsh estuary of the Bay River. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic LN-PA-29     Little Bear Creek/Blossom Creek Trail, 2.5 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 5-8 Hours These two creeks offers a more protected trail off of the Gale Creek/Bay River Kayak Trail. The shoreline along the creeks are lined with salt marshes and pine forests and offer a great opportunity for wildlife viewing. The mouth of Little Bear Creek is approximately 3.7 miles from the boat ramp at Vandemere and 4.6 miles from the bridge crossing on NC 304. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic LN-PA-30     Bear Creek/Bennett Creek Trail, 5.3 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 4-8 Hours Bear Creek and its numerous tributaries is located approximately 3.6 miles west of the access point on Gales Creek or approximately 5.1 miles east of the boat ramp in Vandemere. Getting to mouth of Bear Creek requires passing through the open waters of Bay River and should be used by only experienced kayakers. Once reaching the mouth of Bear Creek the paddler can explore the more protected waters of the creek, which is approximately 1.6 miles long. Accessing Bear Creek from Gales Creek the paddler will pass such intriguing points as No Jacket Creek and Deadman Point. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic LN-PA-31     Riggs Creek Trail, 1.6 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 1 Hour A short side trail off of Bear Creek, this creek offers the opportunity to extend your outing to make this area a half day or all day outing. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic LN-PA-32     Plum Creek Trail, 0.7 Miles Skill Level: Beginner Difficulty: Easy Time Required: 1 Hour Located on the north side of Bear Creek, this small tributary offers the paddler an opportunity to explore a small coastal estuary. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic LN-PA-33     Chadwick Creek Trail, 2 Miles Skill Level: Intermediate/Experienced Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult Time Required: 4-8 Hours Located at the 5.2 mile point of the Gale Creek/Bay River Trail, this creek offers an interesting side trip or an opportunity for a sheltered lunch site. Trail map for printing (Adobe .pdf file) Access Name/Description: Latitude: Longitude: 1) Boat Ramp in Vandemere 2) Bridge Crossing on NC 304, South of SR 1224 in Mesic Back to Lower Neuse Region Map

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