Great Bend Clean-Up

Begin at the historic Glencoe dam on the Haw River near Burlington, North Carolina, where the current slows and river bends create broad, shallow shoals. The Great Bend Clean-Up is a two-hour, self-guided paddle offered by Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. that pairs a simple kayak or canoe outing with on-the-water conservation: guests borrow craft in exchange for a small donation to the Haw Helpers fund and—importantly—any trash they bring back. Paddlers set off from the put-in above Glencoe dam and work downstream, scanning banks and eddies for litter trapped in root tangles, undercut banks, and riffles.

The scene is classic Piedmont river: narrow floodplain, mixed hardwoods, sandstone outcrops exposed at low water, and riffles that feed clearer pools. Expect to see snapping turtles basking on logs, great blue herons hunting shallow margins, and occasional mink or deer along quieter reaches. The combination of accessible water and abundant shoreline habitat makes this stretch ideal for a volunteer sweep that also delivers easy wildlife viewing.

This outing is deliberately straightforward: no guide leads the float, but kayaks, canoes, trash bags, and gloves are provided. Families with children eight and older can participate (minors need a parent-signed waiver if unaccompanied), and the pace is what you make it—part gentle paddle, part community service. Wear a PFD, bring a water bottle and sun protection, and plan to lift full trash bags back to the launch.

Expect light carrying and the occasional scramble over rocks when loading boats. The local context matters here. The Glencoe reach carries both natural and cultural memory—the industrial-era dam anchors a landscape once shaped by mills and river transport.

The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. has turned that history into stewardship through regular clean-ups and donations to the Haw Helpers fund, a practical local program that supports ongoing restoration. Why book this? It’s a chance to experience the Haw River as a participant rather than a spectator: you’ll learn rivercraft basics, see the corridor’s riparian ecology up close, and leave a measurable impact in two hours. For Burlington visitors looking for an active, low-cost way to connect with local conservation, this clean-up is a hands-on, family-friendly entry point.

It’s especially good for first-time paddlers who want a short, purposeful outing with a clear payoff—the sight of a cleaner bank at the end of your float. Launch logistics are simple: park at the Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co. lot, carry boats a short distance to the water, and follow river flow back toward the take-out near the historic Glencoe mill area. Timing your paddle for late morning gives comfortable temperatures and better visibility in riffles.

Bring sturdy shoes—rocks and wet wood are common when reloading craft safely.