Roanoke River Partners Barred Owl Roost Camping Platform

Camping Platforms

	Barred Owl Roost Barred Owl Roost is located at the back of Lower Deadwater Creek off Devil's Gut about 3 miles up from Jamesville and about 5 3/4 miles from the Roberson's Marina put in on Gardner's Creek. The 20' by 20' platform is large enough to hold six paddling campers and their tents. The cantilevered, wooden deck is supported over the rich, brown swamp water by pilings—except during periods of very low water.

	Beaver Lodge Beaver Lodge is named for the local web-footed residents although you're more likely to see a deer bounding through cypress-tupelo backwater wilds. This camping platform is located at the back of Upper Deadwater Creek off Devil's Gut about 5 miles up from Jamesville and only 2 miles from Barred Owl Roost. Beaver Lodge is about 3 3/4 miles from Roberson's Marina on Gardner's Creek

	Cypress Cathedral Cypress Cathedral, Roanoke River Partners's third platform, is located on Three Sisters off nearby Broad Creek between Jamesville and Plymouth. Called Cypress Cathedral because of the majestic, cypress–lined entrance, this camping platform rises above giant cane and provides a different setting than the first two platforms located off Devil's Gut near Jamesville.

	Bear Run Although bears have not been seen near the Bear Run platform, they've left "evidence" nearby. The Roanoke provides habitat for many species of mammals, fish and birds....just one of the benefits for paddling campers. Bear Run's main camping platform is a spacious 20 x 20 feet area accessed by two large stepping platforms rising up from a long boardwalk. The "privy" is located along the boardwalk. A large dock welcomes boaters.

Swamp Engineering

his type of unique site environment requires some unusual engineering. "Swamp feet" were bolted to the pilings to increase their surface area on the mucky soils. Eight-foot gear-attachment post on the platform corners and sides were studded with eyebolts and allow campers convenient means to lash down tents and customize their platform with rain tarps, netting, ropes, and other gear. To allow for easy docking at all water levels, some platforms have three large docking steps on the platform front are situated at staggered heights and a narrow walkway above the swamp extends the access even further. All campers use a "pack-in and pack-out" waste system. Small portable toilets are supplied and are carried by each canoe party, placed in a privy on the platform's corner, and then carried back. Cypress Cathedral and Bear Run have slightly different arrangements for privy and boardwalks. We have found, as we go, that each site presents its own challenges and opportunities for improvements. They're all great, though. Try one out!

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