Winding River Plantation is a private, gated community for active adults aged 55 and older, set along the Lockwood Folly River near Holden Beach and Oak Island, and spread out over about 1,300 acres of tidal salt marsh, pine, and hardwood forests. The community's homes offer plenty of choices, with single-family homes, condominiums starting from the mid $100s, and townhomes with four bedrooms starting in the mid $200s, and you can find houses with features like granite countertops, hardwood floors, fireplaces, big family rooms, modern kitchens, outdoor living spaces, offices, and good landscaping, all with sizes and prices ranging from the upper $200k's to just under $1 million, plus smaller home sites from under $20k to the $250k range. You can build a custom home or remodel with the help of Centerline Custom Homes, and an architectural review board keeps things looking tidy and consistent throughout the property.
Amenities cater to residents who want to stay active and enjoy both land and water. There's a 27-hole golf course at Carolina National Golf Club, designed by Fred Couples and certified as an Audubon Sanctuary, with a pro shop, putting and chipping greens, a large driving range, and a 9,000 square foot clubhouse for fine and casual dining. Residents can use tennis and pickleball courts, bocce courts, a fitness center with exercise rooms and classes, and an outdoor pool. The River Club and the Property Owners' Clubhouse offer space for meetings, classes, and events, plus a catering kitchen, outdoor grills, picnic tables, and meeting rooms. Trails for walking and biking, along with spots for boating, fishing, and kayaking, weave through the community and down by the river.
For water lovers, there's a marina on the Intercoastal Waterway with 10 slips, a boat launch, kayak and canoe launches, a day dock, and storage for boats and RVs. The River House and Day Marina have picnic areas along the Lockwood Folly River, a lending library, meeting rooms, a screened porch, and spots to launch small boats. A special beach club on Holden Beach gives residents private parking, a beachfront pool, lounge, kitchenette, gathering rooms, and showers. The community supports independence and offers care when needed, providing assisted living and memory care programs for residents with cognitive impairments, along with social programs and adaptive amenities to support seniors' daily activities.
Outdoor living remains a big part of life at Winding River Plantation, with garden centers, well-kept yards, and views of water, woods, or golf, while clubs and social groups foster community involvement and help neighbors stay connected. Community rules and quality are overseen by management offices and patrols, with separate teams focused on each neighborhood, like Sandy Creek Village and Clear Water Place. Robin Balda manages the whole property, and there's always a community team available to answer questions or help with daily needs. Residents use amenities as property owners, which means what you see is mostly meant for those who live here or in the gated neighborhoods, though the golf club is semi-private and lets outside guests play with advance bookings. The property keeps a plain approach, balancing upscale touches with sensible features that make life easy for older adults who want comfort, activities, and the peace of a quiet, scenic setting close to both the river and the ocean.
