KELLY — Tucked away in Southeastern Bladen County, is one of the last remaining inland river ferries crossing the Cape Fear River. For more than a century, the Elwell Ferry has shuttled local residents and farmers across the river between the tiny crossroad towns of Kelly and Carvers Creek. Every day it even carries a curious traveler or two, who may have heard stories of the little ferry and wanted to see it for themselves.

The Elwell Ferry began operation in 1905. Two brothers, John R. and Walter H. Russ, began the service which crosses the same point to this day. At the time, the Elwell Ferry was one of numerous river ferries in the state and the country operated by local residents to connect local farms and villages to each other. As time marched on, nearly all of the Elwell's sister ferries would be replaced by bridges or abandoned altogether. Many consider the Elwell Ferry a living relic of early transportation within North Carolina.

Today, the ferry is owned and operated by the NC Department of Transportation. The ferry holds a maximum of two passenger vehicles or about 4 tons in total weight capacity. It runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Spring and Summer and from sunrise to sunset in the Winter and Fall. On average, anywhere from 60 to 80 vehicles per day utilize Elwell Ferry. There is no ferry service on Christmas Day.

From Elizabethtown follow N.C. 87 South approximately 14 miles past the end of the Elizabethtown Bypass. Turn left onto Elwell Ferry Road, the ferry is about 1.5 miles straight ahead.

From Wilmington follow U.S. 74/76 to N.C. 87 North. Continue on NC 87 North about 16 miles. Turn Right onto Elwell Ferry Road, the ferry is about 1.5 miles straight ahead.

If the ferry is not on your side of the river when you arrive, just beep your horn and the operator will come and pick you up. The total ferry crossing is about five minutes. Elwell Ferry Road connects to N.C. 53 on the east side of the Cape Fear. At N.C. 53, turn left to head back towards Elizabethtown and Fayetteville. Turn right to return towards Wilmington.