By Few cities can claim a string of large, scenic lakes sitting almost entirely within their own watershed, but Greensboro can. The City of Greensboro owns and manages three reservoirs north of downtown (Lake Townsend, Lake Brandt, and Lake Higgins) that supply the area’s drinking water and double as some of the best paddling, fishing, and trail destinations in the Piedmont Triad. This guide breaks down each lake, what you can and cannot do on the water, and the practical details locals and visitors need to plan a good day out.
How Greensboro’s Watershed Lakes Work
All three lakes are connected to the city’s water supply, and that single fact shapes everything about how they are used. The reservoirs sit in a chain along the Reedy Fork and Horse Pen Creek drainages northwest and north of the city, with marinas operated by Greensboro Parks and Recreation. Each marina rents boats in season, sells day-use launch permits for private boats, and serves as the hub for fishing access.
Because the lakes are primary drinking-water sources, swimming and wading are not allowed at any of them. Gas motors are restricted, so the water stays quiet and well suited to kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, rowboats, sailboats, and small electric-powered craft. If you want a beach day, these are not your lakes. If you want a calm paddle, a morning of bass fishing, or a shaded trail along the shoreline, they are excellent.
A few rules apply across the board. Anyone age 16 and older needs a valid North Carolina inland fishing license to fish, which you can buy online through the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Each marina is closed two weekdays per week (the closed days differ by lake, so check before you drive out), and all three close on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Hours shift with the season, running longer in summer and shorter in the cooler months, so a quick phone call to the marina before a trip is always worth it.
Lake Townsend: The Big Water
At roughly 1,542 acres, Lake Townsend is the largest of the three reservoirs and the biggest body of water in Guilford County. Its size makes it the regional center for sailing, and the Lake Townsend Yacht Club runs regular regattas here. The wide-open water is also a draw for serious anglers chasing largemouth bass, hybrid and striped bass, crappie, and catfish.
The marina sits next to Bryan Park, and there is a full boat ramp for trailered boats along with a separate launch for small sailboats. Personal kayaks and canoes can be launched year-round, and in season the marina rents kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats on a first-come, first-served basis with no time limit. If you are new to the area and want to learn the lake before investing in your own gear, this is the friendliest place to start.
Plan Your Visit: Lake Townsend
- Address: Lake Townsend Marina, 6332 Lake Townsend Rd., Browns Summit, NC 27214
- Phone: 336-373-3694
- Closed days: Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Boat rentals: Kayaks, rowboats, and sailboats, available May 1 through October 31
- Good for: Sailing, open-water paddling, bass and crappie fishing
- Website: greensboro-nc.gov Lake Townsend page
Lake Brandt: The Paddler’s and Hiker’s Favorite
Lake Brandt is the middle child of the chain at about 816 acres, originally built in 1925 and raised to its current level in 1958. For a lot of locals it is the most beloved of the three, largely because of what surrounds it. The marina rents solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards from May through October, and the protected coves and tree-lined shoreline make it forgiving for first-time paddlers. Anglers do well here with largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish, fishing from the pier or from a boat.
What sets Lake Brandt apart is its trail network. The Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, a paved rail-trail built on the old Atlantic-Yadkin Railroad bed, runs along the lake and crosses the water on the 140-foot H. Michael Weaver Bridge, a prime spot to watch for bald eagles, great blue herons, egrets, and ospreys. From the greenway you can connect to the Owl’s Roost mountain-biking trail and the Nat Greene Trail, giving you a genuine choice between a flat, stroller-friendly path and rugged singletrack on the same outing. Dogs are welcome on the greenway when leashed.
Plan Your Visit: Lake Brandt
- Address: Lake Brandt Marina, 5945 Lake Brandt Rd., Greensboro, NC 27455
- Phone: 336-373-3741
- Closed days: Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Rentals (in season, May 1 through October 31): Solo kayak $15, tandem kayak $25, paddleboard $15, first come, first served with no time limit
- Good for: Beginner-friendly paddling, greenway walking and biking, birdwatching
- Website: greensboro-nc.gov Lake Brandt page
Lake Higgins: The Quiet One With the Best Fishing
At about 226 acres, Lake Higgins is the smallest of the three city reservoirs, built in 1956 on Horse Pen Creek in Summerfield just northwest of Greensboro. Smaller does not mean lesser here. Many area anglers will tell you Higgins offers some of the most reliable fishing of any of the lakes, and the marina is set up for it with an accessible fishing pier, accessible parking, and restrooms. You can fish from the pier or from a boat.
The marina rents rowboats, kayaks, and canoes for daily use, and it is a good pick when you want a calmer, less-trafficked outing than you might find on big Lake Townsend on a busy summer weekend. As at the other lakes, all boats must be off the water before closing (the marina asks that you be in roughly 30 minutes ahead), and hours vary by season, with longer summer evenings.
Plan Your Visit: Lake Higgins
- Address: Lake Higgins Marina, 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd., Summerfield, NC 27358
- Phone: 336-373-3739
- Closed days: Mondays and Tuesdays
- Rentals: Rowboats, kayaks, and canoes for daily rental
- Good for: Fishing (including accessible pier access), quiet paddling
- Website: greensboro-nc.gov Lake Higgins page
Making a Day of It
The three lakes sit within a short drive of one another along the north side of Greensboro, so it is easy to combine them. A classic local loop is a morning paddle or fish at Lake Brandt followed by a walk or ride on the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, then a drive over to Bryan Park near Lake Townsend if you want bigger water or a round of golf. Birders often string all three together, since the watershed corridor is a reliable place to see eagles, herons, and waterfowl through the cooler months.
For an overview of all three lakes and current marina schedules in one place, the city maintains a central Greensboro Parks and Recreation lakes page. The tourism office at Visit Greensboro is another good starting point for outdoor itineraries that tie the lakes to other nearby attractions.
Where to Stay Nearby
If you are coming from out of town, the lakes are an easy 15 to 25 minute drive from most Greensboro lodging. Hotels clustered near Wendover Avenue, the airport on the west side, and downtown all put you within reach of the watershed. For a higher-end, locally owned stay close to the city’s greenway network, the boutique O.Henry Hotel markets itself around greenway access. Browse Expedia-bookable hotels, inns, and bed-and-breakfasts in Greensboro to match your budget and location.
One last planning tip: always call the specific marina the day before you go. Hours change with the season, the marinas each close two different weekdays, and weather can affect boat rentals on the open water. A 30-second phone call saves a wasted drive and tells you whether rental boats are still in the water for the year.