Outdoor
Recreation
In a region where land and water intertwine, Edenton is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. As the heart of the Inner Banks, our connection to water has always been a defining characteristic of our community.
Our waterfront town harbor, set amidst a historic landscape, is your launchpad for aquatic adventures like fishing, boating, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding. For longer journeys, consider our paddle trails and camping platforms. Boaters can even dock two nights free.
On dry land, enjoy golfing, bird-watching, and leisurely strolls along the water. Edenton’s unique blend of water-bound excitement and inland tranquility offers an unforgettable coastal experience for everyone!
Edenton Steamers Baseball Team
Our collegiate summer league welcomes top-notch college players from across the nation to play at the Historic Hicks Field, home of the oldest remaining wooden grandstand of its kind in North Carolina.
Bennett’s Millpond
Bennett’s Millpond is a hidden gem in Chowan County, with canoeing, kayaking, primitive camping, and a NC Birding Trail. All this, plus a scenic pavilion and boardwalk, await you in this charming hideaway.
Hendrix Park & Cannon’s Ferry River Walk
This newly established haven along the Chowan River is perfect for picnics, fishing, and paddling. The picturesque boardwalk stands a tribute to the herring fishing industry and its significant role in shaping our community.
Fish the waters of the Albemarle Sound, its Tributaries and the Elizabeth River.
Native Girl Kayak Tours are also available.
Located throughout a 10-county area, the self-guided paddle trails allow visitors to explore the region’s abundant rivers, creeks and streams via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddle board. Twenty-two camping platforms are located in three different counties, including Chowan County. Some sites are handicap accessible. The trails and campsites are open year-round, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
252-482-7437
albemarlercandd@yahoo.com
albemarlercd.org/albemarle-paddle-trails.html
Edenton and Chowan County, North Carolina have several birding trails. Bring your binoculars and bird guidebook, and enjoy adding to your life list.
Bennett’s Millpond
Species: Anhinga, blue heron, hooded merganser, hooded warbler, prothonotary warbler, summer tanager, wading birds
Open daily during daylight hours. Parking, boardwalks and trails at launch area. Gravel access road with concrete boat launch and dock near dam – use caution. Primitive on-site camping available.
Edenton-Chowan Parks and Recreation Department
252-482-8595
Rocky Hock Road, west of NC 32 and north of Edenton
Catherine and Warwick Creeks Paddle Trail
Species: Blue heron, great crested fly-catcher, prothonotary warbler, wading birds
Parking for a few vehicles at launch area. Paddlers are encouraged to leave vehicles at NC Wildlife Resources ramp on Chowan River take-out. Holladay’s Island in the middle of the river offers additional paddling and camping opportunities.
Edenton-Chowan Parks and Recreation Department
252-482-8595
Put-in at Cannon’s Ferry Road (SR 1232) Bridge, north of Edenton.
Edenton National Fish Hatchery
Species: Bald Eagle, prothonotary warbler, shorebirds, wading birds, wintering waterfowl
Open year-round, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; parking available on-site.
US Fish and Wildlife Service
252-482-4118
fws.gov/edenton
1102 West Queen Street (US 17 Business), Edenton, NC 27932
The original Highway 17 bridge was repurposed into the Chowan Fishing Pier.
The pier is open to the public daily with restroom facility.
NC Wildlife Public Boat Access is also available next to this site.
Chowan County Recreation Department
248 Wharf Landing Road
252-482-8595
shannon.ray@chowan.nc.gov
Enjoy paddling, fishing, and wildlife and bird watching at this reservoir just north of Edenton.
317 Cannon’s Ferry Road.
252-482-8595
brian.chappell@chowan.nc.gov
Edenton Bay Cruises offer enjoyable and informative guided cruises of Edenton Bay under the leadership of Capt. Mark.
The seasonal cruises are open to the public five days a week from April to September or October (depending on weather). Learn about present-day Edenton and the history of North Carolina’s first Colonial capital, all while soaking in the beauty and serenity of this bayside town.
Cruises last about 45 minutes, and are available Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays (closed Tues-Wed). Departure times are: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (weather permitting) aboard a 22-foot eco-friendly electric tour boat (no engine noise or exhaust fumes).
The boat is named Liber-tea — a nod to Edenton’s roll in the founding of the United States, which included the Edenton Tea Party. Liber-tea comfortably seats six passengers, and themed and private charters are available.
Edenton Bay Cruises depart from the docks at Colonial Park, just across from the Penelope Barker House Welcome Center on South Broad Street.
South Broad Street, Colonial Park
860-367-5786
edentonbaycruises.com
Enjoy walking through the historic streets of Edenton while listening to chilling ghost stories and the vivid history of the town. You will hear both tales from long ago, as well as stories from our present time. Be sure to bring your camera, you never know when some of our ghostly friends will decide to stop in!
Tours offered Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night
Call or email to reserve your spot.
Operated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Department of the Interior, the hatchery is one of more than 80 federal hatcheries throughout the country dedicated to the preservation of America’s fishing tradition. The hatchery has been producing fish for public use and restoration since it was established in 1898. The hatchery’s public aquarium is open for visitors for free. Hours Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
US 17 S, 1104 West Queen Street
252-482-4118
sonia_mumford@fws.gov
https://www.fws.gov/
Arrive by boat to the South’s Prettiest Small Town. The newly constructed breakwater, boat slips with electric hookups, restrooms and shower facility make staying in Edenton a breeze. Dock here for two nights free of charge. Wi-Fi is available at the park.
Sailors and Cruisers — check out the Albemarle Loop Features for getting off the ICW and enjoying the Inner Banks Harbor Towns.
Anyone is welcome to rent a kayak or canoe to explore the harbor.
Kayak
One person in kayak per hour: $5
Two people in kayak per hour: $7
Canoe
Per hour: $10
All Day (one person in canoe): $35
All Day (two people in canoe): $45
Overnight
Kayak or Canoe: $20
Must be returned by 10 a.m. if not returned by 10 a.m. a charge of $10 per hour will be applied.
Edenton Harbor Park Assistant
252-482-2832 or 252-337-4488
edenton.harbor@edenton.nc.gov
townofedenton.com
Spend the day as a sportsman on the water by booking an inshore fishing charter with Capt. Terry Payne. He runs freshwater and saltwater charters year-round. North Carolina fishing charters are available on the Albemarle, Croatan, Pamlico and Roanoke sounds, as well as their tributaries, Chowan, Little, Northwest, Pasquotank and Perquimans rivers. Each trip is customized based on the weather and the season.
252-562-8216
thecaptainstreasure@gmail.com
obxinshorefishingexcursions.com
At Occano, each sunrise over the Albemarle Sound brings new ways to escape and reconnect with the water, nature, and those you love most. The resort-style community is home to the award-winning Arnold Palmer Signature golf course, an on-site marina, bar & restauraunt, beach club, and 834 acres of residential waterfront.
105 Scotch Hall Court, Merry Hill NC
252-482-4006
occano.com
Five camping platforms for the eco-enthusiast are situated within a short distance of Edenton’s waterfront park, close to restaurants, shops, guided walking and trolley tours. Two single platforms accommodate solo travelers, while a cluster of three is suited for groups.
252-482-8595
brian.chappell@chowan.nc.gov
roanokeriverpartners.org
Edenton and Chowan County, North Carolina have many paddling trails. Take your kayak or canoe on one of them, which range from beginner to advanced.
Catherine/Warwick Creek
This trail begins in the narrows of the creek and takes the canoeist downstream through scenic hardwood swamps to the edge of the Chowan River. As the stream approaches the river it becomes wider and is dotted with islands of buttressed stemmed cypress tress hanging full of Spanish moss. These beautiful sentinels appear to guard the mouth of the creek and one can only wonder what early explorers thought as they investigated this tributary of the Chowan River. Troutman Creek is a tributary of Catherine/Warwick Creek and offers an additional 4 miles of trail into neighboring Gates County. Warwick Creek forms the county line between Gates and Chowan Counties. It meanders through beautiful hardwood forests on its way to the Chowan River. On calm days, Holladay’s Island offers additional paddling opportunities and access to 5 camping platforms. Reservations on the platforms are required and available through the Edenton-Chowan Recreation Department.
Difficulty: Moderate, due to length and open water at mouth of creek
Skill Level: Beginner/intermediate
Distance: 5 miles
Time: 3-5 hours
Accesses: SR 1232 – Cannons Ferry Rd
Camping: 5 platforms on Holladay’s Island
Dillard Creek
Beginning at the old milldam this short scenic trail can be completed in a morning or afternoon. This trail has many mature trees bordering its banks which give the effect of canoeing through twin columns of tall ancient sentries. The mouth of the creek becomes quite wide as it flows into the Chowan River. Typical to the area, the mouth of the creek is dotted with solitary cypress trees. Located at the milldam is the old mill, which has been converted to to run on electricity, rather than a water wheel. If you are lucky enough to catch the miller in, you can purchase cornmeal ground by the old stones of the mill. Remnants of the millpond are still visible and the canoeist can explore the stream that once fed the millpond and provided power to the mill.
Difficulty: Easy
Skill Level: Beginner
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2-3 hours
Accesses: SR 1226 – Dillard’s Mill Rd
Camping: None
Pembroke Creek
Difficulty: Easy/moderate
Skill Level: Beginner/intermediate
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Accesses: SR 1208 – Wildcat Rd AND SR 1200 – Macedonia Rd / Mexico Rd
Camping: 5 platforms adjacent on John’s Island
Queen Anne Creek
Difficulty: Easy
Skill Level: Beginner
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Accesses: 1. Edenton Waterfront Park
2. Elizabeth Vann Moore Park
3. NC 32 Bridge
4. Cotton Mill Boardwalk
Camping: None
Rocky Hock Creek/Bennett’s Millpond
Picnic area available
Difficulty: Easy
Skill Level: Beginner
Distance: Rocky Hock: 4 miles
Bennett’s Mill: 3 miles
Time: Rocky Hock: 3 hours
Bennett’s Mill: half /whole day
Accesses: SR 1207 – Rocky Hock Creek Rd / Cowpen Neck Rd
Camping: Yes, Primitive
Cape Colony
Difficulty: Moderate
Skill Level: Intermediate
Distance: 4 miles
Time: 2 – 4 hours
Accesses: SR 1120 – Montpelier Dr
Camping: None
This 18-hole, semi-private golf course is located along the beautiful Albemarle Sound. It is open daily with a driving range on-site and cart rental available.
Summer pool passes are available for unlimited swimming for the whole family, as well as access to the tennis complex.
The snack bar and pro shop are open daily, 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m. The Links offers cold sandwiches, hot dogs, chips and adult beverages.
1101 West Sound Shore Drive
252-482-3606
proshop@linksatmulberryhill.com
linksatmulberryhill.com
This full-service marina welcomes boaters with electric hookups, water, mobile repair service, pump-out service, pet-friendly areas and Wi-Fi. The marina’s protected harbor accommodates boats up to 60 feet in length and drafts up to eight feet. Slip rentals are available.
412 Captain’s Cove
252-482-7071
info@wharflandingedenton.com
wharflandingedenton.com/marina
