By Greensboro sits surrounded by a string of quiet, tree-lined reservoirs that make it one of the easiest places in the Piedmont to drop a kayak in the water on a whim. Within twenty minutes of downtown you can be paddling across glassy coves at Lake Brandt, learning to sail at Lake Townsend, or floating a still morning at Lake Higgins, and a short drive west opens up Salem Lake in Winston-Salem and the rivers beyond. Here is where to launch, what it costs, and how to plan a paddle whether you own a board or just want to rent one for the afternoon.
The Greensboro Watershed Lakes
Greensboro owns and manages three watershed lakes through its Parks and Recreation department, and all three are open to kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The big advantage for newcomers and visitors is that you do not need to bring your own gear. Each lake operates a seasonal rental program with boats, paddles, and life jackets included. Rentals run May 1 through October 31, are first-come, first-served, and have no time limit, so you can stay out as long as the marina is open. You can also launch your own kayak or canoe year-round.
A few rules apply across all the lakes. Renters must be 16 years of age or older. Children ages 9 to 15 may paddle their own boat with a signed waiver and a parent or guardian in a boat right beside them, and kids under 9 must ride along with an adult. Full details and current pricing are posted on the city’s paddling page.
Lake Brandt
Lake Brandt is the most popular paddling destination of the three, an 800-plus-acre reservoir with a well-equipped marina and miles of shoreline to explore. Its calm, protected coves are forgiving for first-timers, and the surrounding trails connect into the larger Greensboro Greenway, so it is easy to pair a paddle with a hike or a bike ride. Lake Brandt is also one of the Greensboro lakes that allows small motorboats, so expect a little more company on busy summer weekends.
- Rentals: solo kayak, tandem kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard, available May 1 to October 31
- Address: 5945 Lake Brandt Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455
- Phone: 336-373-3741
- More info: Lake Brandt on greensboro-nc.gov
Lake Higgins
Lake Higgins is the smallest and quietest of the trio, which makes it a favorite for paddlers who want a peaceful morning without much boat traffic. It is a great pick for fishing from a kayak or canoe and for families who want a low-key introduction to the water. Note that the lake has shifted to a reduced weekly schedule, so call ahead before you drive out.
- Rentals: solo kayak, tandem kayak, and canoe, available May 1 to October 31
- Address: 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd, Greensboro, NC 27358
- Good to know: the lake operates on a reduced weekly schedule, so confirm open days before visiting
- More info: Lake Higgins on greensboro-nc.gov
Lake Townsend
Lake Townsend is the largest of Greensboro’s lakes and the only one set up for sailing, which gives it a different character from Brandt and Higgins. The marina sits next to Bryan Park northeast of the city, near Browns Summit. You can rent kayaks and rowboats here, and experienced sailors can rent sailboats. The open water makes Townsend feel more expansive than the other two, and the wide-open paddling on a calm evening is hard to beat.
- Rentals: kayaks and rowboats, plus sailboats for those with prior sailing experience (seasonal)
- Address: 6332 Lake Townsend Rd, Browns Summit, NC 27214 (adjacent to Bryan Park)
- Phone: 336-373-3694
- Good to know: the marina is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays, and seasonal hours vary, so call ahead
- More info: Lake Townsend on greensboro-nc.gov
Worth the Short Drive: Salem Lake in Winston-Salem
If you are willing to drive about 35 to 40 minutes west, Salem Lake in Winston-Salem is one of the best paddling spots in the Triad. The lake is wrapped by a roughly seven-mile multiuse trail that draws walkers, runners, and cyclists, and the marina rents both motorized and non-motorized boats at very reasonable rates. Salem Lake’s kayak rentals are weather-dependent and typically run from mid-spring through the end of September, when water temperatures stay warm enough. As with Greensboro, you must be 16 or older to rent a city boat.
- Address: 815 Salem Lake Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27107
- Phone: 336-650-7677
- Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; boaters must be off the water by 4:30 p.m. and the gate locks at 7:00 p.m.
- More info: Salem Lake on cityofws.org
Bring Your Own Boat: Rivers and Beyond
Paddlers who own their gear have even more options around the Triad. The region’s rivers, including the Haw River south of Greensboro, offer flowing-water alternatives to the flat lakes, with multiple launch points and outfitters that run guided trips and shuttles. River paddling adds current and the occasional riffle to the mix, so it suits paddlers who want a bit more challenge than a calm reservoir. For trip ideas and statewide paddling resources, Visit NC is a useful starting point, and Visit Greensboro keeps a running list of local outdoor recreation.
What to Bring and How to Stay Safe
Rental programs supply paddles and U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, but a little preparation goes a long way:
- Wear the life jacket. North Carolina requires a wearable life jacket on board for each person, and children under 13 must wear one at all times on a moving vessel.
- Dress for the water, not the air. Spring and fall lake water stays cold long after the air warms up. Quick-dry clothes and a change of dry layers in a dry bag are smart.
- Bring sun protection and water. There is little shade out on the open lake, so pack a hat, sunscreen, and more water than you think you need.
- Check the wind. Calm mornings are ideal for paddleboarding; afternoon gusts can push a board around and make the return trip harder.
- Call ahead in shoulder season. Hours and open days shift in spring and fall, and the rental season ends October 31 at the Greensboro lakes.
Where to Stay
If you are visiting from out of town and want to build a weekend around the water, Greensboro has plenty of centrally located hotels that put you within a short drive of all three lakes. Properties near Wendover Avenue, Friendly Center, and the downtown core are convenient bases, and you will find a full range of nationally branded hotels, boutique inns, and bed-and-breakfasts bookable through Expedia’s Greensboro hotel listings. Staying in central Greensboro keeps you close to Lake Brandt and Lake Higgins to the north and within easy reach of Salem Lake in Winston-Salem.
Plan Your Visit: A Quick Reference
- Greensboro lake rental season: May 1 to October 31, first-come, first-served, no time limit
- Typical Greensboro rentals: solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards (paddleboards at Brandt and Higgins; sailboats and rowboats at Townsend)
- Age rule: renters must be 16 or older; ages 9 to 15 may paddle alongside a parent with a signed waiver
- Lake Brandt: 5945 Lake Brandt Rd, Greensboro, 336-373-3741
- Lake Townsend: 6332 Lake Townsend Rd, Browns Summit, 336-373-3694 (closed Wednesday and Thursday)
- Lake Higgins: 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd, Greensboro (reduced weekly schedule)
- Salem Lake (Winston-Salem): 815 Salem Lake Rd, 336-650-7677
Planning tip: for your first outing, aim for a weekday morning at Lake Brandt. The water is calmest early, the marina rents everything from solo kayaks to paddleboards, and you can finish with a walk on the adjoining greenway before the afternoon crowds and breeze pick up.