There’s never been a better time to sample the breadth of great paddling to be had in the Albemarle Sound region.

Yes, we’re usually about hiking. But we’re always about exploring, and this three-day Year of the Trail celebration of paddling by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Hometown Strong initiative and local entities, you will get a good introduction to the joys of exploring this region. Among other things, you’ll paddle a mill pond (Bennett’s), take evening paddles on Pembroke and Queen Anne’s creeks, and explore the Roanoke River State Trail and the new Salmon Creek State Natural Area, the latter in Big Canoes, no less. We’ll also expose you to the newest park in Bertie County, where you can paddle, hike, and swim. And then there’s Saturday’s Sounds of Summer celebration at Colonial Park on Edenton’s waterfront, which features vendors, food and live music, featuring the Band of Oz.

Here’s our agenda for the weekend. Click the link for additional information.

Friday

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Roanoke River Lighthouse Tour. Learn about the lighthouse on the waterfront in downtown Edenton in a guided tour. $2.50 per person. Learn more here.

3-5 p.m. – Bennett’s Millpond Paddle. Bennett’s Millpond offers about 5 miles of paddling beneath cypress, past beaver lodges, and through duckweed. A leisurely, scenic paddle. Learn more and sign up here.

6-8 p.m. – Guided Paddle on Pembroke Creek, Edenton. Enjoy a leisurely guided paddle up Pembroke Creek, heading west and enjoying the late-day sun as it lights the tree-lined creek banks. Guided option if you have a boat, guided with boat if you don’t. Learn more and sign up here.

Saturday

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Roanoke River Lighthouse Tour. Learn about the lighthouse on the waterfront in downtown Edenton in a guided tour. $2.50 per person. Learn more here.

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Bertie Beach Bash. Celebrate the completion of the first phase of Bertie County’s Bertie Beach with this day-long celebration that includes:

• Hiking on 2 miles of new trail
• Swimming
• Kayaking (bring your own or loaners will be available) on Salmon Creek
• NC Wildlife Resources Commission Wildlife Discovery Trailer
• Information for the search on the Lost Colony in Bertie County

Learn more here.

9 a.m. — Big Canoe Paddle on Salmon Creek. N.C. State Parks brings its two Big Canoes – Hellbender and Loggerhead – to the Salmon Creek State Natural Area for paddling on the natural area’s namesake creek. Each boat is 29 feet long and can accommodate up to 14 people.. Learn more and sign up here.

11 a.m. — Big Canoe Paddle on Salmon Creek. N.C. State Parks brings its two Big Canoes – Hellbender and Loggerhead – to the Salmon Creek State Natural Area for paddling on the natural area’s namesake creek. Each boat is 29 feet long and can accommodate up to 14 people. Learn more and sign up here.

2-7 p.m. — Sounds of Summer Music Festival, Edenton Colonial Park on the waterfront. Vendors, kids’ activities, food trucks, live music featuring The Band of Oz. Enjoy the music from land or on the water. Learn more here.

3-7 p.m. – Paddle Queen Anne’s Creek. Kayak rentals will be available from 3 -7 p.m. to paddle on Queen Anne’s Creek out of the Edenton harbor, and to enjoy the festival and live music from the water. $15. Learn more here.

Sunday

9 a.m. – Paddle on the Roanoke River State Trail. The Roanoke River is the crown jewel of recreational paddling in the eastern part of the state, in large part because of the efforts of the Roanoke River Partners to create more than 20 camping platforms and expand river access. We sample a part of the river on this 2-hour paddle. Details tba.