U.S. National Whitewater Center

The U.S. National Whitewater Center is the world’s premier outdoor recreation and environmental education center offering activities such as Rafting, Biking, Climbing, Ziplines, Eco Trekking and more.

Canopy Tour

The Canopy Tour is the newest way to experience the USNWC. Rediscover the outdoors as you explore the woodlands along the Catawba River and portions of the Historic Tuckaseegee Ford and Trail. Participants are guided through the tree canopy traveling from platform to platform on a series of zips, sky bridges, rappels and other high adventure challenges.

The tour reaches heights in excess of 60 feet in the hardwood trees that lace a 90 foot deep canyon before working its way through a wetlands delta and then proceeding along the banks of the Catawba River. Along the Tour, you will travel through the trees as you experience, sky bridges, cargo net climbs, rappel stations, 7 zip-lines and other aerial elements.

The Canopy Tour begins with a section of zip-lines along the forested rim of the south ridge gorge. Participants will take in spectacular views from the treetop platforms before zipping through a wetlands delta at the base of the gorge. The landscape then changes as you run parallel to the Catawba River and witness some of the most scenic natural elements on the Tour. From the final tree platform you will exit the tour via “True Blue,” a rappel style free fall that overlooks the river.

The Canopy Tour was born out of our love for the region’s and Charlotte’s natural landscape. Come explore the outdoors with the Canopy Tour; you may be surprised by what you find in your backyard.

Now Offering:

Twilight Canopy Tour

We are now offering a nighttime variation of the Canopy Tour where guests can experience traveling through the trees along the Catawba River as the sun goes down. The Twilight canopy tour allows the guest to see the USNWC from a completely unique perspective — total darkness. The Twilight Canopy Tour is available on Friday and Saturday nights, with two trips, departing at 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., each day.

There is something about being in the trees as the sun goes down that brings out our universal desire for adventure. Getting outside and traveling through the zip-lines and roped elements of the Canopy Tour is simply a new way to do something we’re all programed to do — explore the outdoors.

After your Twilight Tour is over, plan on sticking around for s’mores and hot chocolate over a roaring fire pit.

The Twilight Canopy Tour is available for booking online.

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Qualifiers

Degree of Difficulty
Degree of Difficulty

Recommended Qualifier
  • Guests must be at least 10 years old and weigh less than 275 lbs.
  • Guests who are 10 - 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult
  • The ability to comfortably walk up to a mile on the trails
  • The ability to pull themselves along a cable while suspended
  • The ability to slow themselves using a glove to create friction on a cable
Estimated Duration
3 - 4 hours

Reminders
  • Closed toe shoes are required
  • Shirts are required
  • No loose articles
  • Small children may need to be accompanied by a parent
  • There are no restrooms or facilities on the Canopy Tour. Guests should prepare themselves prior to arrival


What to do

Check the pass activities schedule.
Print and sign the waiver form to bring with you (or you may fill one out when you arrive).
Buy a pass.
Report to the River Center at least 30 minutes prior to the listed start time.

Arrive at activity location 10 minutes prior to the listed start time.