Greensboro, NC: Mayo River Paddle

This 10.2-mile kayak or canoe trip starts out with a big rush over Class III rapids, then runs a mellow river lined with hardwoods rich with waterfowl and wildlife.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 16.4

Waypoints

MRT003

Location: 36.524299621582, -79.9895858764648

Mayo beach on L; river mellows out here. Note: launch here to avoid the Hell Hole

MRT008

Location: 36.4711685180664, -79.9507141113281

Pass under NC 770; steep banks on L

MRT010

Location: 36.4492149353027, -79.9459838867188

Cross under Mayo River Rd.

MRT011

Location: 36.4388999938965, -79.9377136230469

Big 15-foot hole; take out on R before bridge @ Old US 220

MRT001

Location: 36.5333557128906, -79.9907073974609

Launch boat from sandy beach

MRT002

Location: 36.5296669006348, -79.990234375

Quick series of Class II & III ledges ahead, including the notorious Hell Hole–the toughest drop in this section of the Mayo

MRT004

Location: 36.5122909545898, -79.989860534668

River runs E; Hickory Creek & other streamlets unite with the Mayo

MRT006

Location: 36.4942626953125, -79.9689712524414

Mayo snakes past a mostly hardwood shoreline

MRT009

Location: 36.4561233520508, -79.9372940063476

River makes a big S-curve

MRT005

Location: 36.5067558288574, -79.9749221801758

Open beach on L

MRT007

Location: 36.4804077148438, -79.9638442993164

Deer often seen at water’s edge near dawn and dusk in this stretch

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