North Carolina whitewater, Linville River Burke county, Linville Falls to Lake James section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS IV-V+     16.4 miles   Whitewater rafting and kayaking in North Carolina is often easier than elsewhere, so don't forget that lots of rivers in this state are good for beginners. The scenic beauty of Burke County and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream have people coming here. If you're coming from Boone it's not a long drive at all to the starting location, if you're not familiar with the area there's a road map further down the page. The     Linville Falls to Lake James section is one of a few paddling sections in this river system. There's camping available near Linville River. The river winds through the Blue Ridge Mountains and you get great scenery. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Great exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors are sure to keep you coming back for more. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking around here you'll find a large number of good rivers. If you hurry you can run this stretch in a day but why not make it an overnighter, so why not pack your camp stove too. The   Linville Falls to Lake James section of Linville River in Burke County is 16.4 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class IV-V+ section. Briefly about the general area: Lake James State Park is both great and gorgeous, and it's in the vicinity of Linville River, and going for a hike on the Yancey Ridge Trail is always a delightful adventure. Yeah, come up here to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a delightful time. You'll meet a lot of folks from Pineola here, and there is a nice hiking trail nearby called the Bald Mountain Trail. This river is always fun. Linville River, Linville Falls to Lake James road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Linville River.   Whitewater Near Linville River: Catawba River - North Fork, Burke County, 4 miles away       Class IV-V+ - 2.5 miles long (Linville) Linville River, Burke County, 5 miles away       Class IV-V+ - 16.4 miles long (Linville Falls to Lake James) Upper Creek, Burke County, 5 miles away       Class III+(IV) - 17 miles long (Raven Cliff Gorge to FR 982) Steels Creek, Burke County, 5 miles away       Class II-III - 6.6 miles long (to Confluence with Upper Creek) Lost Cove Creek, Avery County, 8 miles away       Class -blank- - 8 miles long (Main) North Harper Creek, Avery/Caldwell County, 9 miles away       Class IV-V(V+) - 9 miles long (Wilson Creek Tributary) Catawba River - North Fork, McDowell County, 9 miles away       Class II-III - 5.6 miles long (Route 1559 to Route 1552 Bridge) Catawba River, McDowell/Burke County, 11 miles away       Class I-II - 8.5 miles long (Route 1223 Bridge Route 1147 Bridge) Wilson Creek, Caldwell County, 11 miles away       Class II-III - 5 miles long (Route 1328 Bridge to National Forest sign) North Toe River, Avery County, 11 miles away       Class II - 10 miles long (Plumtree to Bush Rd/Rt. 19E)   Ski Areas Near Linville River: Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 15 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 8 lifts, 20 runs Hawksnest, North Carolina , 16 miles away, 619 foot drop, 4 lifts, 12 runs Ski Beech, North Carolina , 18 miles away, 830 foot drop, 10 lifts, 15 runs Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 24 miles away, 365 foot drop, 5 lifts, 9 runs Wolf Ridge, North Carolina , 42 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 20 runs Cataloochee, North Carolina , 84 miles away, 740 foot drop, 4 lifts, 10 runs   Marinas Near Linville River: Mimosa Boat Landing, Morganton , 17 miles away   Hotels Near Linville River: Springmaid Mountain, Spruce Pine , 7 miles away Comfort Inn Marion, Marion , 13 miles away Americas Best Value Inn Marion, Marion , 14 miles away Super 8 Marion NC, Marion , 14 miles away Blue Ridge Village, Banner Elk , 15 miles away   Campgrounds Near Linville River: Bear Den Campground, McDowell County, 5 miles away Linville Falls Trailer Lodge, Linville Falls, 5 miles away Blue Ridge Pkwy - Linville Falls, Linville Falls, 6 miles away   Trails Near Linville River: Bald Mountain Trail, McDowell , 10 miles away Yancey Ridge Trail, Avery , 13 miles away Daniel Boone Scout Trail, Caldwell , 15 miles away   Public Lands Near Linville River: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 48 miles away Lake James State Park, North Carolina , 8 miles away Roan Mountain State Park, Tennessee , 22 miles away South Mountain State Park, North Carolina , 25 miles away   Golf Courses Near Linville River: Grassy Creek Golf Course, Spruce Pine , 10 miles away Mountain Glen Golf Club, Newland , 11 miles away Grassy Creek Golf & Country Club, Spruce Pine , 12 miles away   Lakes Near Linville River Lake James, Burke , 9 miles away Wildcat Lake, Avery , 16 miles away