In what could be a landmark success for intermediate and advanced boaters alike, American Whitewater announced on Thursday plans to purchase access for North Carolina’s Green River. This permanent access point will provide a takeout for the Class II-III Upper Green and a put-in for the Class IV-V Green River Narrows.

Current access into the middle of the Green River Gorge sits entirely on private land, and this access point has never represented a permanent solution. In addition, the State of North Carolina maintains only two parking spaces with ready access to this middle portion of the 10,000-acre Green River Gamelands. Access to Green River Gorge at its middle is popular with whitewater paddlers as a put-in for the Narrows but is absolutely essential as a takeout for the Upper. Although boaters can paddle through the Upper Green into the Narrows, Upper Green paddlers do not have a takeout, eliminating a popular year-round intermediate run. This could be prove to be a huge success for Class II-III boaters wanting an alternative to the Nantahala, especially during dry summer months.

American Whitewater has identified a parcel of unrestricted land sharing a long border with the Green River Gamelands. American Whitewater has finalized negotiations with the current landowner and its offer has been accepted. Upon purchase, American Whitewater will work toward a co-management solution of this property with the local and state agencies.

This announcement marks the official kickoff of American Whitewater’s fundraising efforts to preserve access into the Green River. Although AW typically finances land acquisition through restricted access funds, the success of this effort on the Green mostly relies upon donations from individual paddlers, affiliate clubs, and contributions from local corporate partners. Also, in order to help purchase this access site, American Whitewater may be offering several acres of land adjacent to the access site and Green River Gamelands for complimentary uses, including home site development.

To reach its goals most efficiently, American Whitewater has established a comprehensive webpage devoted to Green access, www.americanwhitewater.org/green/. There, individuals will be able to download a proposal detailing the Green River’s access history and proposed future, view photographs of the land, and observe a comparative trailmap of the new access trails versus the former site. Also on this web page, visitors will be able to find answers to frequently asked questions, place a secure online contribution to American Whitewater for this access solution, and track fundraising goals.

American Whitewater encourages all Green River users past, present, and future; individual, club, or corporate to consider a generous donation to help fund permanent, free access to the Green River. For more information about this project, please direct ALL questions to AW Board Member Sutton Bacon. He can be reached via e-mail at sutton@suttonbacon.com or telephone at 678-984-8388. Because we anticipate an almost overwhelming response, to answer all of your questions most efficiently, please contact Sutton and NOT American Whitewater’s Asheville office.

How to Contribute

American Whitewater would like to THANK YOU for supporting access to the Green River. Although we know that times are tough for us all, we hope that you will consider making a donation to provide a permanent, free access point for the Upper Green and Narrows. This is our one opportunity to secure land adjacent to the Green River Gamelands and gain permanent access.

Time is of the essence. American Whitewater has less than three months to raise enough money to purchase this site. When thinking about your gift, remember that a one-year parking permit has traditionally cost $40 while the land under consideration will become permanent access to the Green River. Also, please consider your donation as tax-deductible.

Every donation, large or small, will be recognized on permanent signage at the trailhead and in the American Whitewater Journal. There will be different levels of recognition; for example, those who donate $50 will receive both a commemorative boat/helmet sticker and separate car sticker recongnizing your donation on the river and in the lot, and donors over $100 will receive an invitation to the exclusive celebration party on-site. There will be additional and very special benefits at the $250, $500, and $1,000+ levels to be announced soon. All extra funds raised over our goals will be placed in a restricted endowment for site maintenance.

Want to be our neighbor? The entire parcel of land is larger than the actual need for an access point. American Whitewater is interested in selling several of the acres, some of which border the access point and some border the 10,000-acre Green River Gamelands. The land is unrestricted, primarily consisting of a large hilltop meadow with remnants of an old orchard, surrounded by woods. Neighboring houses are visible on two sides of the property. If you have a serious interest in purchasing land, please contact Sutton Bacon at sutton@suttonbacon.com.

Donate Online

Other Ways to Give

Or you may mail a check to:

American Whitewater
1424 Fenwick Lane
Silver Spring, MD 20910

(be sure to specify “Green River Access” clearly on your check)

Or phone in your donation to:
1-866-BOAT4AW

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is this land? How far away is it?
The land is located nearly due east of the current parking area, at a distance of less than one-half mile. Since we currently do not yet own the land, we wish to keep its exact location private to discourage trespassing. Please do NOT enter the property without permission.

How much does the land cost? Are you paying too much?
At this point, we wish to keep the total cost of the land confidential but we will say that it will take significant financial contributions to complete the purchase. A running tally of contributions will be featured on this web page.

How far is the trail from your site? What is it like?
The trail is approximately 0.8 mile from the parking area to the river, just a little farther than the current trail but not by much. The trail itself primarily consists of a gentle slope, with only one area that requires use of a switchback.

Where is the river access? Will I miss any rapids?
The trail from our site reaches the river directly at the “take-out surfing wave” on the Upper Green, no more than 100 yards upstream of the current river access point.

How much will it cost to park there?
There will be absolutely no cost for parking or need for parking passes.

How much money has to be raised? How much time do you have?
A lot and a little. American Whitewater has less than three months to complete this substantial land purchase. After this time window expires, so does this opportunity.

So how can I help out?
The best way to help is to donate what you are able and ask your friends to do the same. All funds raised in excess will be placed in a restricted fund for site maintenance.

How much money should I donate?
Remember that future access on the Green depends solely upon AW’s ability to purchase this land. Yearly access passes have been $40 in the past, and we are offering a permanent, free solution solution. We hope you will base your gift around the many future years you will enjoy the Green.

What if I just bought a parking sticker?
Thank you! You are the reason behind current short-term Green access. However, we STRONGLY encourage you to give again. Remember that your donation was intended for one year of access. We need much more in order to purchase this permanent site.

Will I still need a parking sticker? Do I still have to pay a day-use fee?
No. Enough money has been raised to keep the current lot open until the AW access site opens at summer’s end. Also, because this money has been raised, you no longer have to pay daily user fees at the current site until it closes this summer.

What happens if I don’t get around to contribute?
If American Whitewater does not receive substantial financial contributions, we will be unable to purchase this site. Upper Green paddlers will lose a takeout, and Green Narrows paddlers will always have to paddle through the Upper Green in order to access the Narrows.

Is it true that I can buy adjacent land for a home site?
Yes. There are several acres for sale that will border the parking lot and river access trails.

But why is a conservation organization developing land?
The entire parcel of land is much larger than we actually need for an access point, and AW must purchase the entire property and work in conjunction with other private buyers to afford this land. Portions not used for access may be developed into rustic cabins or home sites for paddlers.

When will your site be ready?
It should be ready for use by the end of the summer. Once our site opens, monthly payments to the current lot owners will end and their lot will close.

But can’t I just still use the other takeout/put in?
No. The current lot resides entirely on private land soon to be closed, the two parking spaces are reserved for hunters, and local law enforcement intends to ticket illegally-parked cars.

Will I be able to camp there?
Perhaps. If we succeed in this land acquisition, American Whitewater will work with local and state agencies on a co-management solution for this site. One strong consideration is camping access for boaters.

I heard that when the generator breaks again, the powerplant will be shut down forever?
That rumor is simply that: just a rumor. Duke Power has absolutely no plans to shut down the hydro plant due eiher to generator failure or economics.

How will my contribution be recognized?
Your contribution will forever be recognized on permanent signage at the trailhead to the river.

Is AW taking money away from other issues for this?
Absolutely not. This project is completely self-funded.

How do I receive more information about this?
Please direct ALL questions and feedback about this project to AW Board Member Sutton Bacon via e-mail at sutton@suttonbacon.com or by telephone at 678-984-8388. Please do not contact AW’s Asheville office directly.