US National Whitewater Center
Categories: Bike Rentals, Rafting/Kayaking, Hiking
5000 Whitewater Center ParkwayCharlotte, NC 28214
(704) 391-3900
- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
19 reviews for US National Whitewater Center
The whitewater center is definitely a unique place to take visitors.
Rock climbing, zip line, and rafting were all a lot of fun. i've gone twice in the past few weeks and both times, our raft guides were awesome. (Yay rafting).
i'm not man enough to do mountain biking, but love the trails. They provide a nice break from my normal/boring street running routes.
The zip line isn't too intense, but still fun and exhilarating enough that i went more than once on my first trip. Be sure to follow the "tuck and duck" instructions or whatever they are, because you can get a little dinged up from the sudden stop.
Sitting outside the restaurant/bar is enjoyable watching the rafters. The beer selection featured like 10 draft beers that weren't the run of the mill selections. Aside from the beer, we had some nachos and weren't too thrilled with them. Not awful, but bleh. Our server admittedly forgot about us, but luckily we were just chatting and it prevented me from getting too much beer to undo all the exercise packed into the day.
If at all possible, a weekday is the best time to go and you'll have easier access to everything you want to do.
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My dad and I had never been to USNWC before this past weekend, but I'm so glad we stumbled upon this gem. We spent an entire Saturday (10am - 6:30pm) at USNWC. All Sport Day pass was only $49/each, and well worth it! We kayaked in the flatwater area on the Catwba River (spent more than an hour and a half on the water!), went whitewater rafting on the Adventure trip, and also hopped on the MegaZip line. The rest of our day was spent people-watching, eating, and enjoying the rafts fly through the competition course. Definitely a day well spent - and a great way to exhaust yourself out for a long, heavy night of sleep afterwards :0) All of the staff/guides were incredible! They all must love their jobs because they were having nearly as much fun as the rest of us!
We didn't do any of the rock climbing or biking activities which are also included in the AllSport Pass, but we kept ourselves busy all day long. Food at the restaurant was okay - nothing to write home about, but a good place to chill out. Inside and outside seating is available, though we sat inside to beat the heat. If you can, snag a seat by the window to watch the rafts and zip line fly by! Even if you don't want to participate in the activities, there are plenty of good spots to sit back and watch the fun all around you!
**TIP: If you want to go whitewater rafting, make a reservation as soon as you get to the park! Time slots fill up quickly, especially on busy days like Saturday. **
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When I lived in Charlotte I was always looking for something fun to do besides the usual bars and movie places. The Whitewater Center is great!
I've been rafting only once, but go back for the view. Last summer I would go on Thursday nights to enjoy the outdoor bar and view over the river. They had live music which was always entertaining. I HATE the heat and only go outside in the evenings for things I really like, and this one brought be back several times! I think that they moved the Thursday night music to Saturday, but definitely worth checking out!
When I took my brother rafting, he of course fell in and had to get the shirt about going swimming. He is 15, and I'm always looking for things to do that bridge our 9 year age gap.
This is a treasure for Charlotte and some place you can go for any occasion, whether it's family or to even just have a few beers!
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this place is fantastic.
i went a few times with family and friends. next year even though i live out of town i'll totally get a season pass. a few times and it's well worth it.
spent most of my time on the rafting course and the megazip, but flatwater kayaking was megarelaxing. great guides, fun staff - they really enjoy their work and it shows.
only suggestion i'd make is some beacons or signs for where to exit the river when kayaking.
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This place is a revelation, a real miracle on earth.
I will someday try out the whitewater course. It look like a lot of fun, and as an engineering feat, it is staggering.
However, the main thing about this place that blows me away is the network of mountain biking trails that surround it. There are miles and miles of well-marked and well-maintained singletrack surrounding the Center. I think you have to see it to really appreciate it, so here's a link to a great video from http://sirbikesalot.com:
http://www.sirbikesalo...
As a dude getting ready to move down to Charlotte, I revel in the fact that these trails are going to be a 20 minute drive from my home.
That's not all though. There's an incredible climbing wall set up at the Center as well. If you go with a friend and belay each other, you can climb all day for $13 (per person).
Finally, there's a little restaurant at the Center, complete with a little bar where you can enjoy a post-ride beer.
This place represents a perfect concept executed perfectly, in my opinion.
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I went with a group of friends and we had a fabulous time.
Our guide was awesome-- Isiah (ask for him!!) We felt really confident that he knew what he was doing was he was funny!
We laughed a lot--got soaking wet--and had a great time.
We did the slower run four times and the challenging run three times. It was absolutely worth the money.
We also rented wetsuits and shoes and splash jackets-the gear was worth it as well. Keeping your body temp regulated without being bulky.
Tips are not asked for, but if you had a good time, the guides appreciate it. (suggested by the website is $10 per person.) Perfect place to take an out of towner. The photos available on the website are spendy-$20 per download, but the images are fantastic.
At the restaurant:
Sweet potato fries were amazing!
Artichoke spinach dip sandwich was like a dip...
The Hawfield salad-ask for balsamic rather than ranch.
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OK. I can see the way the reviews of the US National Whitewater Center could shape up. Lots of 18-30 something guys raving on, one adventurous young woman (yay Amy R!) and not much else about this treasure. That's why Yelp needs a few boomers to add some perspective. The US National Whitewater Center is more than a young-person thing, and way more than a guy-thing. It's a really fun, unique thing, and Charlotte is lucky to have it.
I agree with Amy. This place will definitely entertain your guests, especially if they enjoy participatory activities other than shopping or golfing. The US National Whitewater Center has something for everyone. Want to get wet? Try rafting or go kayaking. I did the raft thing last year with a bunch of friends and had a BLAST. The staff were helpful and our guide was great- we didn't fall out or tip over- even on the rapids (talk about a rush!). If you're into climbing, zip-lining, hiking, or biking they've got that, too.
My brother and I went to an oyster roast earlier in the fall (alas, a little too early for oysters; they ran out, but they did have plenty of shrimp). I took my dog, which was cool (lots of leashed pooches here), and we sat on the patio and people-watched while listening to live music. I'm sure my brother would want me to mention this: your paid parking receipt allows you a free dessert at the restaurant! It sorta makes up for the short drive from town and the endless entrance access road.
Go for the variety of activities, creative programming, people-watching, and sheer fun. If you're an 18-30-something dude, go for the adrenaline rush. Or if you're a 40-something gal (like yours truly), go for some rafting, some hiking, some food, some drinkies, and enjoy watching all those cute 18-30-something guys paddling, biking, climbing, and flexing those young muscles! Talk about cheap thrills! It just doesn't get any better!
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Great fun for kids and adults. Definitely check it out when friends and family come in from out of town. You won't find something like this in many other places.
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I've been whitewater rafting on natural rivers a few times, and to have this facility this close to Charlotte is a gas!! I have taken my daughter (12 years old at the time of this writing) a couple times and we've done the intermediate level program. Especially on a hot weekend day, there is no better way to cool off and have an afternoon of great fun.
The only disappointments for me have been trying to get into the restaurant there for a bite to eat after rafting, and the fact that they now charge $5 to park. It would be a great place to walk/bike regularly if not for that.
I know the facility is running in the red ink, but you're not going to attract that curious, who want just to take a look and check it out, if you're going to charge $5 just to park!
BUT... if you're in for some fun, DO go and take part in some of the adventurous activities.
P.S. One rafting tip... switch sides of the raft with someone about halfway through. That way both sides of your body get an equal workout (or abuse, depending on how you look at it).
I tried my hand at whitewater rafting for the first time. We went as a work teambuilding exercise. Yes, I was a bit terrified about the prospect of going. However, it was definitely something I had always wanted to try.
We split up into two rafts. I was seated at the very front, the place I least wanted to be. We first did the "easy" route and then worked our way up to the "hard." Turns out, the front was THE best place for me. Yes, I was first to see every tumble we took, but in the front you also get to tuck in one of your feet, unlike the rest of the seats. Several times, this "tuck" saved my butt from flying out of the raft. (However, it didn't stop me from tumbling atop my coworker sitting next to me, crushing his legs and knees with my oar each time I was flung. Sorry, Ben!)
Being in the front, I had to work a lot harder with my oar and really dig into the water, but it was worth it. At least until the next day when my arms were so sore. Who am I kidding? My entire body was sore. But in a good way. I really felt like I had a good -- and fun -- workout and it was an experience I'll never forget.
We were lucky that we didn't have a sadistic guide like other rafts. He wasn't out to tip us over. The rafting was fun, and we did get soaked, but I didn't need to be diving into the water, swatting at kicking feet, swinging oars, and a big raft floating over me to drive the point home. Staying afloat was a good thing...and my ultimate goal.
I enjoyed the controlled environment at the Whitewater Center, although I'm not quite sure I'm ready for any uncontrolled river out in the open. Maybe someday, but for now I'll stick to the "safety" of the known.
Everytime I visit the Whitewater Center I am struck by the magnitude and scope of the project. It's very similar to visiting some kind of theme park.
I have been out to the Center a number of times since it opened in 2006, an handful of times as a musical performer and also to visit a college buddy of mine, who happens to be the marketing director.
We were roommates when the Center opened, so I was getting all kinds of information first-hand from him. Soon afterwards, he took a group of us college friends down the river, with the express goal of flipping us into the river as often as possible.
Needless to say, we all swam a couple of times, but it was great fun. The rapids, especially the competition channel used by the Olympic whitewater team, is pretty darn close to a real river experience.
There are a multitude of activities available to visitors, from rafting/kayaking on the man-made river, to running and mountain biking trails, climbing wall, ropes course, flat water canoeing and kayaking on the Catawba River, and soon to arrive: a 400 ft. zip line.
Or, if chilling is more your speed, the Eddy restaurant speads out on a patio overlooking the competition channel, where the sunsets can be breathtaking.
Every Thursday, the Center is host to the Subaru River Jam, a concert series that runs from April to October. A platform stage on the banks of the competition channel was erected this year, hosting a number of varied local musical acts from rock n' roll to bluegrass and reggae.
The Eddy serves up a good number of different brews (my favorite is Flying Dog's 'Doggystyle', which actually sponsored my band's first appearance at the Center back in 2007. That was a tough one to explain to Mom).
The food is better than maybe you would expect from a place that specializes in outdoor activities.
It now costs $5 to park, and depending on the activities you choose to participate in, you can wind up dropping a bit of dough during an outing here. It's worth it though, just for the experience of trying everything at least once.
It's also easy to enjoy the atmosphere relatively free of expense, as the mountain bike trails are free (unless you require a rental), and its a great place to bring the fam, meet up with friends and get the dog some exercise.
Definitely a one-of-a-kind destination for Charlotteans!
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I can't really say enough about the Whitewater Center. While it's a little bit of a pain to get to, it's totally worth the trip, no matter the weather. On top of checking out the ridiculously cool whitewater area, there's a lot to do at the center. If you're lucky and the US team is in town to train, you can sit out and watch them go through the awesome rapids course--grab a beer from the bar while you do so. It's an awesome sight to behold, for real. If they're not there training, you can brave the water yourself--do rafting with a guide, get a lesson in kayaking, or if you're hardcore, just throw your gear in the water and take a go at it by yourself.
The Center is awesome--clean, new, with music playing over loudspeakers. Great crowd here. We like to take our dog on walks on the many paths that are around the water. We're not alone: a lot of people go mountain biking on the trails or go for walks and hikes. There's a bunch of loops, and all of them are pretty awesome. Great way to get some cardio if you're up for it.
Like I said, though, there's a lot to do--great bar, great little cafe. Definitely grab a beer--their selection is awesome. There's also a climbing wall--an impressive one at that--for those who want to try that on for size.
Great for families. Great for everyone.
Update - The zip-line was a lot of fun! It was half priced for their winter rates on Jan 4th - $10 a ride.
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12/30/2008
If you live in the Charlotte NC area and haven't been to the USNWC - you're missing out. If you have… Read more »
While I have yet to partake in the whitewater aspect of the center, I have visited on a Thursday night with live music.
There is a great atmosphere with people sitting around talking & eating/drinking while listening to the music. The River's Edge Bar & Grill looks out upon the raging rapids & it's really nice if you can grab a seat at the edge. They also serve up some good food, with the black bean burger with sweet potato fries absolutely blowing me away. It was a tad bit pricey, but definitely worth it. They also have some great beer on tap & pretty good specials to keep your wallet in tact.
Thursday night is their River Jam night, and $5 gets you parked and ready to enjoy the festivities. They have a live, local band playing some tunes all night & they stay open later to keep the party going. This is a great night to head here to grab some dinner & drinks while listening to live music. Heck, you could even make it an all day event by whitewatering...if that's a word.
Other than the $5 fee to park, I really like this place. I would probably visit the restaurant more often, or the gift shop for that matter, if you didn't have to pay a cover to get in. I suggest loading your car with as many bodies as possible to cut down on the parking cost so you won't complain like I do.
The Eddy Restaurant -- There is nothing better than a nice restaurant next to a class V rapid. As watch rafters and kayakers navigate this rapid, you gorge on a thick juicy hamburger, fries etc. They also have a great selection of beers.
There are outdoor tables and large restaurant.
It's minutes from the Charlotte Airport, but you'll need directions as it wasn't the easiest place to find. It is a new facility that opened in November 2006. They have a nice whitewater gear store and there is also a climbing wall including a bouldering wall for very small kids.
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If you're entertaining out-of-town guests in Charlotte, you're bound to run out of things to show them after a day or two. That's where the US National Whitewater Center come in to save you. It's an incredibly cool, unique facility. I took my parents there and they were very impressed. We had dessert at the restaurant there - River's Edge Bar & Grill (formerly the Eddy) - and sat outside watching people kayak and enjoying the beautiful view of this manmade wonderland. I've gone back twice for dinner and drinks - just to try something different - but haven't been all that impressed with the food there. It's OK, but it's not great. Maybe some day I'll actually do one of the activities instead of just eating and drinking there.
The National Whitewater Center is a pretty cool place. Located just off 85, and down some old country roads, its kind of surprising to all of a sudden come upon this huge outdoor adventure facility.
The Whitewater rapids are really cool, and hearing the roar of the water gives me a thrill everytime. I rode the rapids once and it was exciting, not as breathtaking as a water park ride, and there really wasn't that authentic feeling of rafting on an actual river, but it was still cool. I'd say try it once, but unless you are a hard core kayaker, its really not worth the $33 a person.
One thing I do love about the Whitewater Center are the Mountain Bike Trails, Up until just recently it was free to just come out and ride, but now I think they charge $5 a car to park, not too bad, but not as cool as free.
The Mountain Bike Trails are well worth it though, with plenty of technical runs, and lots of single track exhilarating rides you will definitely leave feeling exhausted and invigorated. Some of the paths are the closest I've come to snowboarding in Vail, without actually snowboarding, the paths through the trees are so tight and fast, its a kick. And the trails are labeled like ski slopes as well, with green slopes, blue slopes and black slopes, that way you know when the trails are going to get more difficult. I highly recommend going to the Whitewater Center, if for nothing else to ride the trails. After a long hard ride, its hard to beat coming back to the main center and stopping in to their restaurant "The Eddy" grab a beer, they don't have a huge selection, but the few beers they do have on tap are really good, and sit out and watch people ride the rapids.
Its also cool to just go there and walk around the Channels, its a big loop, and you can bring your kids or your dogs and just walk around watching people ride the rapids looking at the rushing water and listening to the roar of the falls, its pretty cool.
The Whitewater Center also has a huge outdoor climbing wall as well as a ropes course but I haven't had the opportunity to check those things out first hand, I just wanted to let you know they are there.
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Just a wild ride-- a white water "park" that's part rapid, and part flume run, you'll get wet and have a great time paddling with their experienced guides. Take the safety course, then a 10 minute run,then up the conveyor belt, and do it again. Good fun, moderately strenuos, class IV rapids, a great park in a great place. guided raft trips are $35.00 pp/for 2 hours. have your own kayak? 15 per hour.
The National Whitewater Center is best described as a skateboard park for whitewater rafting and whitewater kayaking. It is an Olympic training facility. It has miles of man-made whitewater rivers for rafting and kayaking and also offers flatwater kayaking on the nearby Catawba river. There are climbing walls, 12+ miles of hiking and biking trails, food, and plenty of fun. Admission is free.