Sit Out Under the Stars,
Canoe Camping On the French Broad River!

Looking for a great way to spend some family time in the great outdoors or perhaps a quick weekend getaway? A canoe camping trip with Headwaters Outfitters on the scenic French Broad River is the perfect way to get outdoors and introduce your friends and family to the joys of canoe camping. Fall asleep to the soothing sounds of the gurgling river, then wake up to the smell of woodsmoke and frying bacon. We make it easy for you by providing all the essential paddling gear, as well as transport to and from the river. You can even set up your campsite before you get on the water! Whether you're a Boy Scout troop or a father-son duo, now is the time to discover our overnight canoe camping trips in the mountains of Western NC on the peaceful French Broad River.  

Headwaters Outfitters offers you and your family two options in canoe camping. Both options are the same on the first day; the difference is your take-out location on day 2.  Island Ford Canoe Camp-Out gives you a 2-mile/1-hour paddle the second day, or the Hap Simpson Canoe-Camp-Out gives you a 12-mile/5-hour paddle the second day. Either way, you're paddling through some of the prettiest scenery to be found in Western North Carolina, past old homesteads, farm fields and woods.

Bring your camping gear, food, and leave the rest to us!

Camping Trip Day One:

8 mile/3 hour paddle
to our privately owned campground at Hannah Ford

     1. Arrive at Headwaters Outfitters' river shop to complete pre-trip check in. Release forms will need to be read and completed and your entire party must watch our 12-minute safety video.

2. For your convenience, you may drive your vehicle to the campground & set up camp before getting on the river. Folks love this! Please note, your vehicle must remain at the river shop while you are on the river. Upon completion of your river trip, you may return to the campground with your vehicle to gather your gear.

3. Once your campsite is set up you return to the river shop no later than 1:30, dressed in your river clothes and ready to get on the water by 2 p.m.

4. Everyone will be outfitted with all paddling gear, which includes life jackets, paddles and canoes.

5. We then depart via our vans on a short 1-mile drive to Champion River Park Access in Rosman. After reviewing some river paddling and safety techniques you launch your canoes and are off on your own as you paddle three hours downstream to Hannah Ford River canoe-in campground.

6. Arrive at Hannah Ford and spend the evening around the campfire.
If you wish to start your canoe camping trip at another time of the day there will be an additional $25 fee added to the total trip cost. You must be on the water no later than 3pm.

Camping Trip Day Two:

On day two of your adventure wake up to the sounds of the river! Cook breakfast over an open fire....ah... yes, I can smell the coffee! For those of you choosing the Island Ford take-out you will have a short 2-mile, 1-hour paddle before meeting your river host. For those of you paddling on to Hap Simpson take-out you will have a full 5 hours, 12 miles of paddling under your belt before you meet your river host. Either trip is a great way to get outdoors.