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Wells Bridge River Access (also known as Fires Creek Hunters Camp) is a public boat ramp providing access to the Hiwassee River in Murphy, North Cherokee County, NC. This access point is managed as part of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's network of free, 24-hour boating access areas. The site offers a convenient launch for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboaters looking to explore this major river system.
The Hiwassee River at this location is a large, active waterway (classified as a Class 7 stream) with significant flow averaging nearly 4,900 cubic feet per second and an average gradient of 16.7 feet per mile. Paddlers should be prepared for moderate current and be aware of the river's substantial elevation drop as it flows toward Tennessee. For trip planning, the Hiwassee River Blueway offers 55 miles of paddling adventure extending downstream into Southeast Tennessee, though motorboat navigation becomes more practical in the slower flatwater sections further downstream near the wildlife refuge.