U.S. National Whitewater Center

Park · Westwood Forest

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Park · Westwood Forest

2

5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214

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Highlights

Recreation grounds with whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, rock climbing & more.  

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5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214 Get directions

whitewater.org

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5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy, Charlotte, NC 28214 Get directions

+1 704 391 3900
whitewater.org
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Mar 4, 2025

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@cntraveler

"U.S. National Whitewater Center is the largest man-made whitewater river in the world, and it's also an Olympic training site. But there's so much more than rapids here; rather, it's a 1,300-acre playground for the entire family. With rock climbing and mountain biking on more than 50 miles of trails, the complex feels like an Outside magazine spread—right outside Charlotte. What you do here depends on your interests. If you're a river rat, you'll love the whitewater rapids; if heights are your thing, try the zip lines and rock climbing." - Nancy DePalma

The 14 Best Things to Do in Charlotte
View Postcard for U.S. National Whitewater Center
@cntraveler

"For a morning of adventure, drive 20 minutes west to the U.S. National Whitewater Center, which occupies 1,300 acres along the Catawba River, including the world’s largest artificial white water river. You can buy a day pass or choose individual activities, such as white- and flat-water kayaking, rafting, ziplining, and mountain biking."

The Weekend Guide: Public Art, Fried Chicken, and White Water Rafting in Charlotte
View Postcard for U.S. National Whitewater Center

Jennifer E.

Google
Came here for the first time and I loved it! Came for a social event for work and had an amazing time. It's located down a long, long road where you end up in a parking lot with plenty of parking spaces to choose from. You are then able to just walk into the center. They host a bunch of live concerts. They have a lawn where you are able to bring your own jackets, blankets and chairs and enjoy the concert. They also have various seating all around the location. They have a bar and restaurant also where you can sit down and enjoy dinner. They have various free obstacle courses down their walking trails, which the kids absolutely enjoyed! They offer rock climbing, zip lining, rafting, and canoeing. In order to do rafting and zip lining though, you do need to purchase an all day pass which unfortunately for us since our event started about 30min before those activities closed, it would not be worth it. Either way, they offer a lot of winter activities and such a great time just being there and walking around. Great people watching environment for sure!

Dina Kampa

Google
It was family reunion week and we visited the Whitewater Center and we all had a blast! The parking was convenient, entry into the park requires you to sign a waiver prior to paying, once inside the park, having purchased the all access pass, it was so easy to hop around from one event to the next. We were in a group of seven and we ranged in age between 9 and 58. All of the family members were able to get on a raft together and surprisingly no one fell off! We tried both the family and adventure rafting. We were able to sign up for three times! Truthfully on the last trip around we were hoping to fall off, but I guess we were all doing so well at navigating we ended up helping other rafters pick up their paddles and lost shoes. We all tried the climbing walls, one with a harness on and the other climbing wall where you could fall into a pool. We were on several zip lines and we were also tried the climbing ropes. We arrive just as they opened and we didn’t leave until they closed (we helped pull our raft in from the water). We rented a bin that we could put all of our belongings into and just simply tell them which bin number it is so we could access the basket at any time. I suppose the rules changed from the last time I went because now food is not allowed in the park, plan on leaving it in your vehicle or don’t bring any. It only rained for a short spell so we ordered lunch and we all agreed it was pretty good! I’ll be back!!! I would have posted more pictures, but it was difficult taking any while on the zip line or well rafting. Visit their website!

SeeTryFly

Google
The water course is entirely artificial, but they do a good job of simulating real rapids. It's like a very low key theme park with lots of dogs. Be aware the parking is $12 and the food is pricey, but you can bring your own picnic, chairs, hammocks, bikes etc. You only pay for the attractions you use (or get an all day pass).

Nathan Ernst

Google
This place is awesome! It is the theme park built for the folks that love the outdoors. Great staff, activities, and amenities. We have a season pass for our whole family and love it! The recent addition of the kids tree house play area supports enjoyment for my whole family from 42 to 2. They only get five stars because google doesn’t give the option for more.

Brian

Google
An awesome local gem. While it serves some of the most competitive athletes, it also serves the larger Charlotte community for outdoor adventures. They offer both day passes and annual passes (and single activity passes) that get you access to some really neat adventures. White water rafting, mountain biking, kayaking and paddleboarding, zipline and ropes courses, and rock climbing, plus many more activities are offered here. Great weekend spot and evenings in the summer they offer live music. The food is decent and convenient. Overall it's a great place for the outdoorsy wanderers who are looking for some fun close to the city!

Natalie Hanson

Google
Such an amazing place for a reasonable price of so many activities!!! The staff very helpful with any questions. Be sure to immediately book your raft session, and double check s When ropes and zip line closes so that you can get it all in. The park is open late, but activities start to close around 6. We were able to kayak, zip line, bike and raft with well planned day.

Colleen Riviello

Google
My son and I decided to go kayaking (first time for both of us) we had a wonderful time! Wish we got the day pass- we both decided that we could do the zipline. We will just have to do that next year when I come to visit him 😀 We ate at the Pump house- the food and service was excellent! After dinner there was a great band playing - stayed til 8pm then decided to head back home. Thank you for a wonderful experience! I highly recommend this place 😀

Jonathan Britton

Google
We went to the white water center for the new kid’s section the wild woods. The wildwoods just opened up. The attraction was great the area has multiple tree houses with ladders and bridges that kids and adults alike will enjoy. The area also has beginner level ropes/obstacle course and a balance bike loop trail. You can bring your own balance bike or your child can use one of the provided bikes. The area gave us a few hours of fun. It is a little pricey with it being $18 a person, however there is no time constraints and you can come and go while at the whitewater center. I would definitely go back.

Monica G.

Yelp
US National Whitewater Center is an outdoor enthusiast dream. We went only for white water rafting but there are so many activities to do! Aside from water rafting, they have climbing obstacle courses, a bungee jump, mountain bike riding, kayaking, and many more outdoor activities. They have a restaurant on site that sells craft beer and good food, try the pork belly bites and grab a beer, sit outside and people watch the rafters white water rafting. They have lockers and showers in case you want to shower and free parking. This place is fun for the entire family!

Riley M.

Yelp
when I go to the white water center I always have the best time! they have so much to do if you haven't gone GO!!!!

Lindsay B.

Yelp
If you haven't been to the Whitewater Center, you have to go! There are so many activities for outdoor enthusiasts from rock climbing to zip lining, kayaking and rafting. They also have hiking trails and deep water climbing that looked so fun! I loved grabbing a beer and watching all the activities going on around us. If you need a purse holder, I'm your girl! I had so much fun just being there. They have several Adirondack chairs set up for relaxing and people watching. They started charging $12 per car just to enter, so carpool if you can. It's dog friendly also!

Jacquelyn M.

Yelp
Such a great dog park! Well worth the parking and entry fee. We really enjoyed our time at the Whitewater Center enjoying the views, taking a few laps of the pond, and romping with new friends. Amazing place, we'll be back very soon.

Jess M.

Yelp
It feels magical on the grounds here. Lots of shade and the beer is quite refreshing on a hot day.

Rico M.

Yelp
There's so much to do here; from biking and ziplining to trail walking, this place has it all. We spent a few hours exploring and even enjoyed some live music, which they feature throughout the summer. What makes this center stand out is the all-day pass, which is incredibly worth it whether you're an adventurous individual or part of a group. The vibe is friendly and inviting, with everyone around seeming genuinely happy and helpful. They also serve beer and wine, which is a nice touch to unwind after some activities. Plus, there's a place to eat right within the facility, and the food is pretty good! You definitely won't be disappointed with a visit here; it's a fantastic way to spend a day full of fun and adventure.

Francisco M.

Yelp
White water rafting. Kayak. Stand up paddle. Climbing. Zip line. Trails. Mountain biking. Rope course. Live music. Restaurants. Beer. Just great place to have a full day. One of the best things in Charlotte!

Justin T.

Yelp
Super fun place! We went on a Wednesday which wasn't that busy. We did all the activities except the white water. The wait times were a little long given how it wasn't that busy. Overall a fun experience, but plan to wait and go through several orientations. Staff was friendly. I would recommend going as a group of adults, or with kids 8+.

Jennifer E.

Yelp
Came here for the first time and I loved it! Came for a social event for work and had an amazing time. It's located down a long, long road where you end up in a parking lot with plenty of parking spaces to choose from. You are then able to just walk into the center. They host a bunch of live concerts. They have a lawn where you are able to bring your own jackets, blankets and chairs and enjoy the concert. They also have various seating all around the location. They have a bar and restaurant also where you can sit down and enjoy dinner. They have various free obstacle courses down their walking trails, which the kids absolutely enjoyed! They offer rock climbing, zip lining, rafting, and canoeing. In order to do rafting and zip lining though, you do need to purchase an all day pass which unfortunately for us since our event started about 30min before those activities closed, it would not be worth it. Either way, they offer a lot of winter activities and such a great time just being there and walking around. Great people watching environment for sure!

Laurie I.

Yelp
Beautiful place.Wished the beer garden was open as the line at the place we went to was 30 minutes long and the food was cold ...all for 53.00. But I like the things to do, next time I will just bring my own food. Like the craft people set up.

Jenifer S.

Yelp
This is a fantastic experience!! No matter what your level of adventure is... there's something for everyone!!! I started to conquer my fear of heights with the ropes course and zip line... and I couldn't say more positive things about the people that work there!!! All amazing!!!

Swale E.

Yelp
I went to the White Water Center to go ice skating ! Here's everything you need to know about it. It's about ten minutes away from Charlote. Parking is $12 cash or card. They have an area where you can change and keep your stuff while you skate. Tickets are $25 each. It does include the skate rental. They have hand warmers If you get cold. There's this walkway path that takes you directly on the ice. They have two sides you can skate on. They have a sitting area in the middle where you can chill and relax. They have hot chocolate, wine, water, beer, and fruit juice. Overall it's a great time !

Karina T.

Yelp
I love visiting the white water center! There's so much to do or you can just go to relax. The best part is the new dog park! My pup loved walking on the trail off leash and taking a dip in the lake. They have a small shop to purchase merch, dog treats, and alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages for humans!

Jen R.

Yelp
This place has everything outdoors and then some. Wanna go rafting in some perfect white water? It's got it. Wanna zipline, take a walk in the woods, do some yoga, go mountain biking, climbing, iceskating, or have a great meal? You can even get married in THE MOST beautiful setting. Whatever you're up for they've got it and so much more! Any and all of it makes for an amazing experience like no other place can provide!

Carlos G.

Yelp
We've come here twice -- once in the summer and once in the winter -- and it's been a blast both times! In the summer, it's well worth doing the activities pass since you get to do the rafting, obviously, which was super fun, but also other cool things like mountain biking, ropes courses and free solo -- a climbing wall above a pool that you can drop down into, which I'd never done (or even heard of before) and was a cool experience. In the winter, we came for ice skating and it's awesome that they have the ice skating trails in addition to the open area since it makes it a bit more interesting than skating in circles over and over like you might at a regular rink. There's also an airstream in the middle serving drinks which is a great idea. After skating we walked through the light trail which is free and well worth the walk. The light-covered suspension bridges alone are worthwhile, and a pretty good picture spot if you're into that. Just don't try to take pictures in the very middle because the bridge sway just enough that your night mode photos aren't gonna work. Definitely one of the unique gems in the Charlotte area!

Nadia S.

Yelp
My family and I recently visited the US National Whitewater Center, and what an incredible experience it was! Opting for the all-access pass at $75, we were eager to try everything, starting with rafting. Our coach, Jake, was a true gem, guiding us through the rafting adventure and teaching us all the fundamentals. It was our first time, and thanks to Jake's expertise, we had an amazing time on the water. Next up was the zip-lining, but there was a slight hiccup. The included zip line turned out to be a short distance after climbing up a pole. While it was fun, I would recommend spending the extra $10 for access to the larger zip lines, which offer a more thrilling experience. We also decided to try the free jump, but unfortunately, the wait time was disappointingly long. Despite the place not being crowded, we waited for nearly two hours due to what seemed like a staffing shortage. It's a shame as the activity itself was enjoyable, but the extended wait dampened the experience. Despite these minor hiccups, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the US National Whitewater Center. With a better understanding of what to expect, we look forward to visiting again and tweaking our adventure choices accordingly. If you're seeking an exciting day filled with outdoor thrills, this is the place to be.

Maddie M.

Yelp
This is our favorite spot to go to when we have a few hours. It's such a versatile place and has something to offer to everyone regardless of age. Our favorite thing to do is to get a beer and walk around the whitewater course, or sit on the grass and watch the rafters. But you can ride bikes (they have trails) or hike. They have zip lining, kayaking, obstacle courses, and two rock climbing walls, one of which curves up and drops you in the pool. During colder months they have ice skating as well as lights in the woods and in the warmer months they have River Jam, where local bands come and play music. There's a restaurant on site, as well as two smaller areas that have tacos and burgers and such. The place has lots of bathrooms around the campus. It's dog and kid friendly!

Hallie O.

Yelp
Went here with my family when I was visiting NC. It was really fun. However, it was very expensive. Also, it was really frustrating that their website was not working. Therefore, we were unable to make a reservation for rafting, and despite getting there right away when they opened, we had to wait until 2:30 to get a reservation for rafting. Most of the zip lines are also not included with the day pass which was a bummer because admission was $75.00. The one zip line that was included was less than thrilling. But we still had fun doing many of the activities available to us.

Rusty P.

Yelp
WARNING: This place is very covert and non-transparent about their pricing schemes and what they include.They WILL lie to you and tell you the daily passes include "all activities". They don't. $$$$$ Do yourself a favor and avoid this nature grift at all costs. The "all inclusive" day pass wristband does not guarantee rafting or kayaking. They don't tell you this at the front when you buy the day pass. There are no prices or menus anywhere at the ticket desk, and they are hoping you believe them when they tell you the day pass covers "everything." You'll learn that you need to make a separate "reservation" to raft, and need to port around your own kayaks, paddles, helmets and vests in order to kayak. You'll learn about "upgrades" ($$$$) after you spend a couple hundred dollars thinking you're all good to go. We got in line with our "day pass" wristbands for rafting at 130p and were told that we should have made a reservation and that rafts would not be available until 530p, but we could make a reservation for then. When we asked if we could kayak instead, they told us that in order to kayak, we have to bring our own kayaks and gear and have to be experienced kayakers. We flew up from AZ and were on vacation. We paid hundreds of dollars to not even get wet. We complained to the red bearded manager on our way out and asked for some money back because the wristband doesn't actually get you on the water. He stuck to his guns and said "it's always been that way, you can't just show up and expect to get on the water." AVOID AT ALL COSTS - FIND A CAMPGROUND AND A BUDDY WITH A CANOE EDIT: I just called the main line to see if we could be compensated for the rafting being completely unavailable, and to see if it was correct that we would have to bring our own kayaking gear, and Whitewater Center confirmed that indeed - you MUST MAKE A RESERVATION TO RAFT and NEED YOUR OWN GEAR TO KAYAK. I could have bought the family kayaks and bikes for the prices they charge at this place.

Cheryl M.

Yelp
It's a great place to visit for rock climbing, zip lining, hiking, bike riding and especially rafting, kayaking or just people watching. Parking is $6 and there are places to eat and/drink. It's open, and spacious. You can bring your dogs, fold up chairs, hammock or blankets and just relax.

Paul R.

Yelp
Fun outdoor venue!! Definitely worth the parking fee!!! It's fun to go when there's a band outside on the stage for lawn seating. Zip Lines overhead and beer available outdoors. Fun place for family and outdoor loving adults.

Jessica K.

Yelp
OMG!! This place is a must!! We got here earlier because we knew it was going to be packed on a Saturday, and to our surprise there is so much to do and so organized that it really didn't matter. We got the package that let us do everything, one thing that was a little annoying was we were asking the girl in the gift shop about the zip lines (we were very excited about that) and she told us they were shut down today. We did have to go back later once we realized they are open... and you just have to pay a little extra (must reserve) .. Also paid 5 extra bucks to reserve a time on the rafting, which is so worth it. You can go in normally and get the next time slot, but we wanted to go do all the dry land stuff first and then go get wet at the end of the day (worth the 5 bucks!!) you can go as many times as you would like on the rafts. Just have to sign up! And some tips, bring those open toed Jesus looking sandals or some water shoes for the rafting, you get soaked and they don't let you on without a shoe with a back strap! So no flip flops!! You can pay for a rental pair, if you really need to. The rafting was my favorite part of the place, you go around a bunch of times and get to be seated with your group! They have challenging parts if you want it, or they have a family one (for ones with kids, or people if want a more mild water) the guides are great! And it's so fun watching other groups. People literally sit by certain parts of the river and are entertained by groups getting stuck, it's hilarious! We rock climbed, mountain biked, paddle boarded on the river, rock climbed over water, white water rafted, ropes course, and zip lined. One complaint I do have is that when you walk down to the river it's very muddy, and then you take a brief safety course, and have no where to set your stuff when you're on the water. No cubbies, no lockers, nothing. We sat our stuff in the woods, which kind of sucked putting your clothes and belongings on top of the muddy forest. It was either that or bring it on the board. They said you can rent a locker at the front but it's a ways away from the water. I just wish they had a cubby system or locker you can rent for an hour. Food was really great! Got in easy at lunch at the restaurant and by the time the live band came on, there was a two hour wait. We put ourselves on the wait list, walked around, showered, grabbed a drink, and pet some of the dogs. We sat right on the patio, I don't think we waited a full two hours, it didn't seal that bad! Lots of people grabbed a spot on the lawn, brought some chairs and listened to the music! It was so nice! Definitely one of the best days I had in a long time! I didn't have my phone on me during the day, only when we got there and when we had dinner at the end of the night, but I did have my Apple Watch on so I could still buy things if I wanted because of the tap to pay! So I definitely recommend leaving your phone in the car and just wearing your watch

Chithra V.

Yelp
I have always been to theme parks for adventures but this is definitely better and a lot more thrilling. I did river rafting (level 4; the most adventurous), zip line and 100ft jump. I always wanted to do these but my fear of heights and water didn't let me all these years. I loved the rafting especially because our boat flipped half way and in seconds I didn't realize I was inside water but there are guards all over to help you get out. That was the most thrilling part. Zipline was a bit strenuous too as we had to walk some suspension bridges to reach the other side. The guide was not very helpful especially when teaching how to switch clutches from one rope to the other but I managed to figure out with the help of a friend. Overall the adventures are great and I can't wait to go back.

Haley C.

Yelp
We came with a school group and were told there would be food available to purchase. The center scheduled our lunch at 10:30 but then their food services don't open till 11am. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that isn't going to work. Then the one restaurant we waited at didn't open until 11:15. By then we were already doing our orientation for the rafting. After our rafting, we went to go try to get food at that point, but there was no food. There was nothing but candy and chips. This is absolutely unacceptable that we were told that there would be food options for our students to purchase. Some aspects of the center our ran well and others are not. The amount of money that I paid for this trip I am extremely disappointed and will not be back. And I will not recommend this place. I will say our rafting portion of the trip was phenomenal. James is a wonderful guide.

Latavia C.

Yelp
Paddle To The Table was an interesting event that's offered at Whitewater Center. It was something different to celebrate my birthday month. David was our guide that led us through the lake and gave us a brief history lesson about the center while kayaking before dinner. The dinner was three courses meal and came with tea or water. You could also order wine and beer, too. The whole experience was very intimate, which ended with a nice sunset and meeting friendly people as we ate. This event does fill up fast as I tried to book it last year. You do have to pay for parking. All small vehicles are $6 to park for the day. I do highly recommend this for an outing.

Megan D.

Yelp
Love spending my weekends here, the service was very fast at the restaurant and the food was really good! I will be back to eat! You can even bring your fur babies

Kelly C.

Yelp
What an experience if you love the outdoors and are a thriller seeker you will definitely love US National Whitewater Center.

Trevor L.

Yelp
Even though my trip to Charlotte was a quick weekend getaway, I found this center and was quite happy with it. Very clean, friendly staff, and multiple things to do. I specifically came here for kayaking. I do recommend plan to spend the day to enjoy all the activities. There is a restaurant if interested. When I can, I was a bit confused on where to go but was told to enter the gift shop to pay for the activities I'm interested in. There will be a waiver to sign which is standard. The kayaking is a good walk towards the back of the park but it was a nice shady walk and staff along the way in which you can ask for directions if you're not sure. I would definitely return again and try and do the other activities. If you love the outdoors and don't want to travel far, this is the spot!

Connor C.

Yelp
Whitewater rafting was amazing especially with Angel Sarao. He made my day and you should definitely request him.

Kimberly N.

Yelp
Our whitewater raft guide, David, was so much fun. He had so much energy and made the trip through the rapids a blast.

Gregory B.

Yelp
The brat tasted great. Good amount of toppings, but just a bit small given the price. The bun was very soft and thick. The fries were fantastic. Golden and crispy, they went well with hot sauce.

Marcella G.

Yelp
So fun! Went with 2 of my friends over the weekend while in charlotte. It's about 20 minutes outside of the city if you are visiting from out of town. Easy to get in and park - they took cards for the parking. We just came to check it out and see the trails but we were able to get in same day for the white water rafting. It was really fun not overly intimidating! You can select family or adventure and I didn't feel at all unsafe in the adventure. They supply helmets and life vests. You can not bring any type of camera or bag in the raft with you. Groups of 8 they divided the larger parties into 2 groups so you have say 5 in one and 6 in the other. Very helpful in terms of instruction before you head into the water. Definitely wear sunscreen and either sneakers, water shoes, or athletic sandals with a back. You WILL get wet!

Caroline K.

Yelp
Came here for a weekend morning yoga and loved it! Beware though it's a free activity BUT you have to pay for parking there! They do accept card though Very kind and knowledgeable instructor with a nice beginner to intermediate yoga session. Walked around the rest of the center after the yoga and was amazed! Such a beautiful place and had such great fun energy! Definitely coming back here to white water raft with friends

Jillian M.

Yelp
Such a nice, Huge, outdoor activity park about 20mins from the city. Came here for my first ice skating experience and boy, did we have a ball! Lol everyone was nice and accommodating, explained how the passes worked as well as what at activities were available. You can purchase a day pass, two day pass or annual, or you can pay for each activity individually. They have an array of different activities to choose from, from hiking, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, zip lining, just to name a few. I suggest looking on their website to view their calendar and see what activities they have available for the day you plan to visit. Unfortunately, the day we went, they didn't have much open. Seems they have a lot more activities/attractions available during the summer or on a weekend. Which was fine by us since we initially came just to ice skate. It was about $25 per person, ice skates included. They do require you to have socks, so make sure you wear a good pair of socks. I like that they have two different rinks, one bigger more open, a smaller one more for the kiddies, and another if you want to skate some rounds. You'll definitely get a good leg workout from it. They had a restaurant and a smaller grab and go outdoor area that was open if you wanted to grab drinks or food. We ending up eating at the restaurant and their wings were to die for! Their Carolina dry rub was quite tasty. They also had a small gift shop open which was nice if you wanted to get any novelties, clothes or gear to use in case you forgot something. I would definitely come back and make a day of it to try all the activities with the day pass option. Highly recommend if you enjoy outdoor activities.

Dustin C.

Yelp
Alex in the restaurant is fantastic! We had a group of probably 15 or so that ended up closing the restaurant down on Tuesday evening. Our group was really enjoying catching up and kind of lost track of the fact that we were there considerably after they had closed. Alex could not have been more friendly and helpful despite the fact we were dragging her shift later into the evening. Our out of town guests were disappointed to miss seeing the river in action as it had stopped running when we arrived, but the restaurant was awesome and the service helped us all really enjoy our visit to the Whitewater Center.

Aaliyah T.

Yelp
The Whitewater Center was a wonderful experience!! We took the pups kayaking & the staff was exceptional- extremely helpful & I LOVE the setup! Used to grabbing & dragging down my own kayak. The staff has the kayaks ready to go & help you get in & out of the water- which was so nice! The food & beverages were tasty! We enjoyed how dog-friendly this place is. There is so much to do: hiking, biking, fishing, boating, jetskiing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, zip-lining, rock-climbing, there is live music & beer. This place is clean & we enjoyed a beautiful, fun adventure!

Marshal C.

Yelp
A day of fun listening to the Jon Stickley Trio by the water. There was ample space to enjoy the event and stretch out where ever you felt most comfortable. As the night progresses, it became increasingly congested with admiring fans. The drinks and snacks were amenable and would equate to bar food. Parking was ample and easy to navigate. Some things I would recommend is having more shade options for the concert venue. When the sun is setting, the stage placement seems like an afterthought. Not only were the performers sweltering under the summer sun as it was setting, the patrons were also sweating buckets while trying their best to shade their eyes from the blinding sun. I'm glad they didn't turn off the water around the tubing track as the sound added to the allure of music by the water. I hope there are long term plans to add more shade options for concerts and make the experience even more enjoyable. Looking forward to going back again sometime soon.

Dean C.

Yelp
My wife and I attended the St. Patrick's Day celebration at the center and it was very entertaining and we had a great time with a group of our neighbors. Loved seeing the water become very green and the people challenging the water rushing through the rocks. Special shout out to a new employee at the restaurant, where we sat and stood outside, her name was Aarian and she was fantastic at her job and it was only her second day! The Saw Mill gang thanks you very much for your kindness and your great attitude!

Monique W.

Yelp
We came for our anniversary and they told us when we arrived that if you upgraded to annual passes that day you just the $120 difference. We had a BLAST. We went white water rafting twice, ziplining, mountain biking (which went terribly for me ), and we went to the restaurant. By the end of the day I went back to the office and demanded they take my money. The good news is your annual pass doesn't start until you're next visit. Because of the pandemic we didn't go back for 8 months and we're got to start our years in April. Since then we have went over a dozen times. Riverjam on the weekends is amazing, the food, the drinks (they have a biergarten!) It's so many things to do. I can't recommend this place highly enough.

Lindsay K.

Yelp
I lived in Charlotte for a few months before the pandemic and was here so often that I had a parking pass! I never participated in the rafting as these were the winter months, but I did hike and trail run through the trees. It's really beautiful and breath of fresh air. It made me feel at home when I was missing the West Coast. They have it all - rock climbing, music events, hammocks, dog friendly hang out and tons of other activities to enjoy. I also tried their beer garden and took our family ice skating on New Years Day and everyone loved it!

Tessa M.

Yelp
The Whitewater Center is a great place with such a variety of activities. Their location for yoga, under the tall trees is one of my favorites. You have activities from whitewater rafting (obviously), rock climbing, zip lining, to a rope course and hiking. If you plan on doing multiple activities, it's best to do a pass or bundle than paying for individual activities. Besides the year round activities there, the center always has concerts, races, and other family fun stuff to do. When there are concerts out events, bring chairs or blankets and come early! Staff is also always friendly.

P O.

Yelp
If I could give it a negative 10 zeros I would. Poorly ran and they are not upfront about their "extra" charges. You have to pay extra to go on certain zip lines. Also, they fail to mention anywhere before you pay that you have to make reservations to kayak or raft. However, you probably won't be able to until around evening time. You can't go online to sign waivers or make reservations - you have to wait in line, which takes time away from being to secure a raft or kayak time. The Biergarten wasn't even open. They don't even tell you if any of the zip lines are inoperable, you find out after you pay. NOT WORTH THE MONEY YOU PAY!!!!

Lori G.

Yelp
If I could give it a zero I would. This place is poorly laid out, unorganized staff and improper scheduling. The staff literally stands around just telling you to wait. They schedule the windows too tight that we missed our white water rafting time slot. For $300 we were able to do one activity in 4 hours! An absolute rip off! I would not recommend this place if you are in the Charlotte area.

Clifford C.

Yelp
What an amazing place this is. This is not a Ride park, its an ADVENTURE PARK! I came here on July 3rd in the earlier part of the morning (9am). The lot wasn't that full, but the gatekeepers (who charge $6.00 to park) said that it will be getting packed later that night for fireworks. While in line for tickets, an employee came around and helped the 'noobs' around, telling us about all the great attractions that were available, as well as any 'hidden fees'. (for those who didn't want to do any of the adventures, could still go - without any admission fee) We decided to go ALL IN, and bought a day pass. This included a dedicated whitewater rafting time with a guide, high rope ziplining, kayaking, obstacle course, rock climbing (regular wall, as well as a bouldering over water wall), mountain biking, 100 foot free fall jump, plus many other smaller zipline courses. Our first stop was the whitewater rafting. we had a 1030am appointment. They gave an instructional video (however it was broken, so we had an instructor tell us the important stuff). Got geared up and broke into groups. Our instructor was amazing. He had great control of the boat and did some tricks too...was amazing doing 2 laps to learn and then 1 on the 'challenging course'. NO one fell out from our boat, but we witnessed others who did (from other boats). After that, we took a break and grabbed lunch in the dining area (food was fair, but in all fairness, the facility was pretty busy by now, and the wait staff were probably overwhelmed). We had time to go exploring, so we did a small obstacle course (tough mudder style), however, due to time, only did the smaller one. We had a 330pm zip line appointment for the high ziplines called the figure 8. This was 10+ flights of stairs up (we had to climb it with all the gear on). Being terrified of heights, I was nervous, however the staff were very good, assuring me that all was connected and didn't rush me. Safety was amazing, and by far, the top priority for all guests that went. Check, double check, triple checked your equipment before going on any of the adventures. After going down the figure 8 (first line), you get to the end where you need to do a high ropes obstacle course in order to get to the 2nd set of ziplines. What a rush and thrill this was, even as scared as i was. Went flat water kayaking and SUP boarding. very calm area in the beginning, however, the river is shared with others, and boats passing caused mini waves which made it bumpier. We parked ourselves on a bench afterwards to watch people go down the 'advanced' whitewater trail, and watch the fireworks that were shot off that night. Overall, what an amazing experience. My only note for myself for the future is to bring your own food, drinks, snacks and chairs. Set up your stuff before you go anywhere, so that you have a 'reserved' spot to put your wet clothes. Also, get a pair of closed toe water shoes, as my sneakers suffered! total costs: $6 - parking fee $59 - day pass $5 - white water rafting $10 - large zipline $12 - day locker If you plan on going more often, you may want to get an annual pass, as it is only $219 for a year (365 days from day of purchase, and includes your current day)

Stephanie B.

Yelp
My favorite thing to do in Charlotte. There are a lot of different activities, you could spend hours here. Recommend buying a day pass, it's well worth it. We did the ropes course, started with the beginner and advanced on the smaller course. The large advanced one is not for the faint of heart and we chickened out after the first obstacle. But Lucas never lost faith in us and supported us in our decision to try the other course. The rock climbing wall is fun and the night zip was a blast! We did not get to do any of the water activities because it was cold (and it was not an option) but we will be back!

Karen N.

Yelp
Came here for Saturday night music . Admission was free for the concert, and parking was $6.00. We grabbed a spot near the water with wonderful water views. They have a good selection of beers and drinks. It was an enjoyable , inexpensive evening .

Raley H.

Yelp
went white water rafting with my school, our leader was Seth Charles Hill and he was amazing!! he was so funny and you should give him a raise

Paula J.

Yelp
Great place to play or relax! There is something for everyone: shopping, water sports and land activities. A must visit!

Peter B.

Yelp
Visited from Orlando thanksgiving week 2023. Keep on mind the rafting was closed. The check in process was fairly simple. I'd recommend paying the extra 10.00 for the upgrading zip lining. The ice skating was great. It was a bit challenging to understand what experiences are included with tru basic day pass. We went to a couple areas and was turned away. The orientation process for zip lining took a long time. One worker named Sarah was rude during the equipment check. Once we got to the zip line it was fun. Dana was great. He was very friendly. I'd say this was a one and done type of experience. I'm glad I went but don't think I would return.