A nonprofit dedicated to promoting the Roanoke River region has announced the completion of a new paddle-in camping platform on the Roanoke River State Trail. This addition brings the total number of paddle-access campsites to over 20 along the 215-mile stretch of the scenic river trail.
The latest platform, named Cooke’s Landing, marks the first of its kind in Northampton County. Anne Lunsford, financial and trail coordinator for Roanoke River Partners (RRP), said the platform helps bridge a significant gap in the upper portion of the river, enhancing the experience for long-distance paddlers.
In addition to the new site, nearly all existing platform decks along the Roanoke River State Trail have been upgraded using funds from the state’s Complete the Trail Fund. The only remaining deck upgrade—at the Cow Creek platform—is scheduled for completion this fall with the help of volunteers.
“This has been a huge undertaking, as all the old lumber and new lumber had to be transported in and out by boat,” Lunsford said, highlighting the logistical challenges of working in such remote areas.
Smith Raynor, a state trails planner, emphasized the unique beauty of the Roanoke River. “The Roanoke has been called ‘the Amazon of North Carolina’ because it passes through beautiful, largely undisturbed scenic wilderness areas,” Raynor noted. “Visitors can now enjoy multi-day paddling adventures along the trail by utilizing the newly improved camping platforms.”
Located about two miles downstream from the Edwards Ferry NCWR access on U.S. 258, Cooke’s Landing sits on the north side of the Roanoke River in Northampton County. According to Lunsford, the site includes a 16-by-24-foot raised platform and offers a tranquil, grassy area situated high above the riverbank.
“Pull your boat into the small cove and enter by the steps leading from the river,” Lunsford described. “After walking up, you arrive at the camping area — a raised platform, privacy area, and picnic table. The raised privacy area has no facilities, so bring your own bucket.”
Designed to withstand seasonal flooding, the raised structures sit between the high berm and the river. The designated camping area is marked with red boundary paint to guide campers.
Access to Cooke’s Landing is strictly by water. “You must enter the campsite by the Roanoke River access,” Lunsford confirmed. Additionally, the site will have seasonal restrictions due to adjacent hunting leases.
“There will be no camping or trespassing allowed during the deer and large game hunting season, which runs from the end of September until early January,” she said. “From early January through the end of September, only those with camping reservations may use the site. A five-day advance notice is required to allow coordination among all parties involved.”
The Roanoke River State Trail, officially designated by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2021, holds the distinction of being the first fully recognized State Trail in the state. In recognition of its achievements, Roanoke River Partners received an Impact Award at the Great Trails State Conference in September.
The trail itself begins in Roanoke Rapids and stretches southeast to the Albemarle Sound, with additional branches extending northward along the Cashie River in Chowan County. There are 15 designated access points and more than 20 paddle-in camping platforms along the route, some of which are also accessible by vehicle.
In addition to its work on the trail, RRP is preparing to renovate the historic Hamilton Rosenwald School, built in the 1920s, for use as its headquarters. The building will also serve as the administrative home for the Roanoke River State Trail and function as a multipurpose event venue. Funding for this project includes state grant money awarded through the trail designation, as well as contributions from community partners.
Formed in 1996 and 1997, Roanoke River Partners, Inc. has long focused on developing and promoting nature and heritage tourism throughout a six-county area that spans from the Virginia border to the Albemarle Sound. The paddle trail was RRP’s first major initiative and has steadily grown, culminating in its state designation in 2021.
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