One of the Queen City’s hidden gem, is the US National Whitewater Center. The Whitewater center is filled with outdoor activities perfect for people who love to be out in nature and their canine family members. The Whitewater Center is a must if you’re looking to spend an activity-filled day outside. You can pay per activity per day or purchase an annual pass. Annual passes are $149 for adults and $139 for kids. Annual parking passes are $40, while daily parking rates are $12. Start your day with a dry activity like rock climbing, zip-lining or a ropes course before a water activity like whitewater rafting or deep water solo, both of which will leave you soaked. Bring a towel, a change of shoes and maybe even a change of clothes for the ride home. In addition to festivals, races, and eating good food, below are several different ways to spend a day at the Whitewater Center.
Rock Climb one of the 95+ routes. The Whitewater Center’s outdoor rock climbing complex is one of the largest in the region with 35-45 top-rope routes, nearly 50 bouldering problems and a 46-foot tall spire. The cost is $25 for an activity pass or included in a day or annual pass. You are required to wear shirts covering your mid-section, shorts or pants and closed-toed shoes. You can rent climbing shoes for $6-$9.
Zipline over the rapids. Soar through the trees and over the water on one of the Whitewater Center’s zip-lining routes. Choose between Figure 8 (into the woods and over the water), Double Down (over the water, twice), Canyon Crossing, Canyon Zip, Pine Zip (a zip line/jump combo) or the two new zips that opened in September: North and South Rim Zips (over the canyon). The cost is $79 for adults and $69 for kids, plus a $10 reservation per person for Figure 8 and Double Down, which can only be made at the Whitewater Center. You are required to wear shirts with midriff covered, shorts or pants and closed-toed shoes.
Hit the trails. Hike, run or bike along more than 50 miles of trails. Make sure to check the website to see if trails are open that day by checking the daily activity schedule. Using the trail system to run, hike or use your own bike does not require an activity pass, but you still have to pay for parking. A mountain biking activity pass costs $35. You are required to wear closed-toe shoes.
Let your canine run free in the off-leash area. Within the Off Leash area is a pebble beach, dock, and dog wash station. Guests can hike, walk, and run along the 1.5-mile Lake Loop trail, which runs along the area’s chain of lakes. There is also plenty of open space and wooded areas for guests and their dogs to spread out from others, play fetch, practice training exercises, and more. Guests start their experience at the newly constructed Barley House on the premises. This building is home to a new retail and food & beverage outpost, where guests can purchase food, treats, and beer, with offerings for both people and their dogs. The cost is $10 for a day pass or is included in the day/annual pass.
Just jump! Take a leap from heights up to 100 feet. These jumps use a belay system to simulate a brief free-fall experience before slowly lowering participants to the ground. A day pass is required for this activity. The cost is $79 for adults and $69 for kids. You are required to wear shirts with midriff covered, shorts or pants and closed-toed shoes.
Go higher on the ropes course. Traverse between suspended platforms, rope bridges and cargo nets through the trees and over rapids. Two new suspension bridges spanning more than 700 feet above the canyon and new ropes bridges opened in September. The new section, which also includes new zips, encompasses more than half a mile. You need a day pass for this activity. The cost is $79 for adults and $69 for kids. You are required to wear shirts with midriff covered, shorts or pants, and closed-toed shoes.
Whitewater kayak or SUP. Kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) through class II-IV rapids on the world’s largest manmade whitewater river. You must have experience in class III rapids and provide your own kayaking or SUP equipment. The Whitewater Center center offers instructional packages to provide experience. The cost is $59 or is included in an annual or day pass. The cost for lessons is $130.
Whitewater rafting. A professional guide will lead you and up to seven other rafters through class II-IV whitewater rapids. There are four options for rafters. Family rafting, which takes you down the wilderness channel in class II-III rapids. You must be at least 8 years old. Adventure rafting includes both the wilderness and the competition channels and goes up to class IV rapids. You must be at least 11 years old. Big water sessions increases the intensity of the rapids and are available Thursday and Friday evenings May through September. You must be at least 16 years old. Rodeo rafting puts you in a smaller raft and requires a swim test. You must be at least 16 years old. The cost is $59 or is included in an annual or day pass. Reservations are made onsite on a first-come, first-serve basis. Time-specific reservations are available for an additional $5 per person. Rodeo rafting requires a $15 upgrade. You can wear a bathing suit, shorts and a T-shirt are recommended during warmer weather. Opt for waterproof rain jackets/pants, splash jackets and wetsuits during cooler weather. You can rent wetsuits, booties and splash jackets. You must wear a bathing suit under wetsuit rentals.
Relax on flatwater. Paddle along the Catawba River and Long Creek and explore its islands by flat water kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). You must be at least 8 years old to kayak or SUP solo. Kids as young as 4 years old may tandem kayak. The cost is $39 or included in a day or annual pass. You can wear a bathing suit or shorts and a tank top or T-shirt during warmer weather.
Rock climbing with a twist: deep water solo. Climb as high as you can before you let go and fall into a deep pool. Deep water solo has five walls stretching 20-45 feet high. The cost is $35 or included in a day or annual pass. You can wear a swimsuit and secure shoes that completely cover your feet.
Practice yoga. The Whitewater Center offers multiple classes per week on the South Ridge (all the way to the left if the main entrance is behind you). Be sure to check their website for the daily schedule. The Whitewater Center offers SUP yoga, meaning you practice on stand-up paddle boards on the Catawba, on the first and third Sunday of each month at 11AM May through September. You must be at least 14 years old. Most classes, except SUP yoga ($35), are free, but you will need to pay for parking. You can also rent a matt at guest services for $5. You can wear clothes you can comfortably move in, like leggings and a sports bra or shorts and a T-shirt.
Leave a Reply