River Landing Boardwalk

For one of the most genuinely scenic outdoor stops in Williamston, NC, the River Landing Boardwalk is a real treasure. Stretching 550 feet along the banks of the Roanoke River in Martin County’s county seat, this fully accessible elevated boardwalk offers a peaceful walk above the wetlands and woods, with sweeping views of one of eastern North Carolina’s most beautiful waterways. With a fishing pier, a kayak launch, a double boat launch, picnic shelters, and a unique screened camping platform for paddlers, the River Landing area is a wonderful introduction to the famous Roanoke River State Trail — known as “The Amazon of North Carolina.” Be sure to check out the YouTube video and pictures below to get a feel for the River Landing Boardwalk before you go — or to relive the visit after.

A 550-Foot Boardwalk Above the Wetlands

The River Landing Boardwalk stretches 550 feet along the Roanoke River, elevated above the wetlands and woods that line the river’s western bank. The boardwalk is fully ADA-accessible, with smooth, level walking surfaces that make it welcoming for visitors of all mobility levels.

The boardwalk offers wide, sweeping views of the Roanoke River and the Roanoke River Wetlands on the opposite bank — a peaceful, often-still landscape that’s particularly beautiful in early morning light or at sunset. It’s a wonderful spot for:

Walking at a leisurely, contemplative pace
Birdwatching — the Roanoke River corridor is home to more than 200 species of birds, including great blue herons
Photography — sweeping river views, wetland scenes, and rich riparian habitat
Wildlife observation — beavers, bobcats, and the broader array of wildlife that call the Roanoke River home

Parking is available on both sides of the boardwalk, making it easy to access regardless of which direction you’re approaching from.

A Gateway to the Roanoke River State Trail

The River Landing Boardwalk is one of the most accessible entry points to the broader Roanoke River State Trail — a remarkable 100+ mile water trail stretching from Roanoke Rapids to the Albemarle Sound. The trail features more than a dozen riverside camping platforms designed for paddlers traveling down the river, and is famous enough to have earned the nickname “The Amazon of North Carolina” — for its slow-moving water, dense canopies of bald cypress and tupelo trees, and the genuinely wild character of much of the corridor.

The Roanoke River begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains, winds through Virginia, and then flows through eastern NC. It carries a remarkable depth of history, including a network of side channels once used in North Carolina’s Underground Railroad — a poignant chapter that adds weight to every paddle and every step taken along the corridor today.

Outdoor Amenities for Every Visitor

The River Landing area brings together a thoughtfully curated set of outdoor amenities right next to the boardwalk:

A 550-foot fully accessible boardwalk along the Roanoke River
A double boat launch for motorboats
A kayak launch for paddlers
A fishing pier with NC Wildlife access (NC Fishing License regulations apply)
A picnic shelter for family gatherings
Ample parking in a dedicated lot
Restrooms nearby
Convenient access to the Skewarkee Rail Trail entrance directly across the street, plus walking-distance access to Moratoc Park just upstream
A tackle shop just across the road — useful if you decide to fish from the boardwalk

The location’s combination of accessibility, river views, and broader trail network makes it one of the most rewarding outdoor stops in Martin County.

The River Landing Camping Platform

One of the most distinctive features of the River Landing area is the River Landing camping platform — a 23′ x 23′ screened and covered building with private, gated entry directly off the boardwalk. The platform is part of the broader Roanoke River Partners network of riverside camping platforms that make the Roanoke River State Trail one of the most unique paddling-camping experiences in the country.

What makes the River Landing camping platform especially distinctive among the Roanoke River Partners platforms:

Fully covered and screened — protection from rain and bugs
Private, gated entry off the public boardwalk
Access to restrooms and showers just a few feet away on the boardwalk
Fully handicap-accessible — boardwalk, platform, and restroom facilities
Reservation-required — paddlers and campers can book through Roanoke River Partners

Most Roanoke River camping platforms are remote and rustic, with no built-in amenities. The River Landing camping platform stands out for combining the wild Roanoke River experience with the comfort of nearby restrooms, showers, and easy walking access to the broader downtown of Williamston.

For paddlers planning trips along the lower stretches of the Roanoke River State Trail, Sweetwater Creek is less than a mile downstream — offering some of the most beautiful paddling on the entire trail through pristine, cypress-lined waters with abundant wildlife.

Good to Know

Address: Along the Roanoke River in Williamston, NC; entrance via the River Landing parking lot
Boardwalk length: 550 feet
Accessibility: Fully ADA-accessible boardwalk, camping platform, and restroom facilities
Amenities: Double boat launch (motorboats), kayak launch, fishing pier, picnic shelter, dedicated parking on both sides of the boardwalk, restrooms, tackle shop across the road
Wildlife: Birdwatching (200+ species of birds, including great blue herons), occasional sightings of beavers and bobcats, broader riparian wildlife
Connected to: The Skewarkee Rail Trail (entrance across the street), Moratoc Park (upstream walking distance), and the broader Roanoke River State Trail
River Landing camping platform: 23′ x 23′ screened and covered building with private, gated entry; fully handicap-accessible; access to restrooms and showers; reservation through Roanoke River Partners
Nearby paddling: Sweetwater Creek (less than 1 mile downstream) — pristine waters lined with cypress trees and abundant wildlife
The river itself: Roanoke River begins in the Blue Ridge Mountains and winds through Virginia and eastern NC; nicknamed “The Amazon of North Carolina” for its slow-moving water and dense bald cypress/tupelo canopies; side channels were historically used on the Underground Railroad
Best for: Walkers, birdwatchers, photographers, anglers, paddlers, families, accessibility-focused visitors, and overnight paddling-campers
Pair with: A morning at Moratoc Park just upstream, a walk along the Skewarkee Rail Trail from downtown, or a longer paddling trip along the broader Roanoke River State Trail
Located along the Roanoke River in Williamston, NC

A Williamston Highlight

The River Landing Boardwalk is the kind of stop that genuinely captures the quiet beauty of the Roanoke River. The 550 feet of fully accessible elevated walkway above the wetlands, the sweeping views across to the Roanoke River Wetlands, the rich birdlife (more than 200 species along the broader river corridor), the meaningful connection to the famous “Amazon of North Carolina” and the Roanoke River State Trail, the historically resonant side channels that once served the Underground Railroad, the comfortable mix of practical amenities (boat launches, fishing pier, picnic shelter), and the wonderfully unique screened camping platform for paddlers all add up to one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences in Martin County. Whether you’re settling in for a quiet walk above the wetlands, photographing herons at dawn, casting a line from the fishing pier, or planning a multi-day paddling trip down the Roanoke River State Trail, this is one of the most rewarding stops you can make in eastern North Carolina.