River | Access | Put in Address | Miles | Paddle | Tubing | Difficulty | Put In | Take Out | Notes |
Dan | 01) Jessup’s Mill to Hart’s Access | 1565 Collinstown Road, Westfield, NC 27053 | 6.2 Miles | 4 Hours | No Tubing | Intermediate | Right | Right | Advanced Adventures: This section contains a series of six Class 1 & 2 rapids. In this section the banks of the river reach up to 100 ft creating a small gorge. Check Jessupmill.com for camping, music, and more! |
Dan | 02) Hart’s Access to Hanging Rock Access | 3647 North Carolina 704 Hwy W, Lawsonville, NC 27022 | 12.8 Miles | 6 Hours | No Tubing | Beginner | Right | Right | As you paddle, Big Creek enters from the right, Double Creek enters from the right, then the river takes a left turn. You will find steep rock walls. In late spring/early summer you will see lots of rhodendrons. |
Dan | 03) Hanging Rock Access to Moratock Park & Paddle Access | 1258 Flinchum Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 | 5.3 Miles | 3 Hours | 4+ Hours | Beginner | Right | Left | This is a popular section. The Dan River Company is a short distance downstream of this put-in where you can rent kayaks, canoes and shuttle services. |
Dan | 04) Moratock Park & Paddle Access to Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access | 1077 Sheppard Mill Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 | 3.8 Miles | 2 Hours | 4 Hours | Beginner | Left | Left | Enter the park on the southern side of Shepperd Mill Rd. The river access is near the Moratock Iron Furnace. There are steps down to the river. Moratock Park has restrooms, a park, playground, 2 parkng lots, and a sandy beach. For a shorter trip see option 2 of the Family Friendly section of the Dan River in Paddle The Piedmont. |
Dan | 05) Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access to Hemlock Golf Course & Paddle Access | 1285 Pitzer Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 | 5.3 Miles | 3 Hours | No Tubing | Intermediate | Left | Right | Sights Worth Seeing: The Pitzer Road access replaces the previous Snow Creek Access. This river access is often too low to paddle, so you may need to walk up the river some. Take-out river right. |
Dan | 06) Hemlock Golf Course & Paddle Access to Madison River Park | 1232 Power House Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 | 19 Miles | 10 Hours | No Tubing | Intermediate | Right | Right | This lengthy section contains mostly class 1 paddling with a series of Class 2 rapids. When the water is low, go around the left side of the island (1.4 miles in) |
Dan | 07) Madison River Park to Hwy 704 Access / Sink Shoal Sluice | 642 Lindsey Bridge Rd, Madison, NC 27025 | 3 Miles | 1+ Hours | 2+ Hours | Beginner | Right | Left | This is the perfect section for a beginners and experienced paddlers! Start at Madison River Park. |
Dan | 08) Hwy 704 Access / Sink Shoal Sluice to Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing | S Water St & E Academy St, Madison, NC 27025 | 4.25 Miles | 2+ Hours | 4+ Hours | Beginner | Left | Right | This is where the Mayo and the Dan meet! Once you’re on the river it’s just you, the trees and the wildlife. |
Dan | 09) Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing to Settle Bridge Access | 558 Planters Rd, Madison, NC 27025 | 4.25 Miles | 2+ Hours | 4+ Hours | Beginner | Right | Right | This section is home to remnants of the historical Jacobs Creek batteau navigational system. When you get to the end, keep an eye out at river right for metal stairs! |
Dan | 10) Settle Bridge Access to Dan River Gamelands Canoe/Kayak Launch | 241 Dan River Road, Madison, NC 27315 | 4.2 Miles | 2 Hours | Not recommended | Intermediate | Right | Right | About 1.5 miles in you will pass Eagle Island Falls. You can choose to paddle on the right or left side. The right side contains a wing dam, while the left side contains a series of drops. The take out is river right at the hairpin turn in the river. |
Dan | 11) Dan River Gamelands Canoe/Kayak Launch to Klyce Street Landing | 498 Woodpecker Road, Eden, NC 27288 | 4.7 Miles | 2.5 Hours | No Tubing | Intermediate | Right | Left | The put in access is river right on the Dan River, with 11 parking spaces. Follow the NC Wildlife Boating Access signs from Woodpecker Road down. |
Dan | 12) Klyce Street Landing to Leaksville Landing | Kylce Street, Eden, NC 27288 | 1.1 Miles | 0.5 Hours | 1+ Hours | Beginner | Left | Left | This is perfect for a relaxing day on the river to Leaksville Landing for a 1+ hour paddle. If you wish to extend your trip, you can head to the next access at the Eden Wildlife Access for a 3+ hour tubing trip. |
Dan | 13) Leaksville Landing to Eden Wildlife Boating Access | 36.485653543484894, -79.76359867930195 | 1.5 Miles | 1+ Hours | 2+ hours | Beginner | Left | Left | About .5 mile below the Leaksville Landing is a large stone tower from the 1838 Leaksville Toll Bridge. The Smith River enters on the left before you arrive at the Eden Wildlife access on your right. The takeout is just past the powerlines which pass overhead. |
Dan | 14) Eden Wildlife Boating Access to Draper Landing Access | 587 Bethlehem Church Road, Eden, NC 27288 | 5 Miles | 2+ Hours | No tubing- Dangerous | Intermediate | Left | Left | DAM AHEAD! DO NOT FLOAT OR PADDLE OVER THE DAM. Portage the right side of dam. Do not tube this section. Using a guide while paddling is advised. This beautiful arched Mebane Bridge, built in 1924, is just downstream of the put in. You must portage around the Duke Energy Dam. Watch out for signs while on the water. Next take out is on the right side. |
Dan | 15) Draper Landing Access to Abreu-Grogan Park Access | 763 South Fieldcrest Rd, Eden, NC, 27288 | take out only | take out only | No Tubing | take out only | take out only | take out only | take out only |
Smith | Smith River Island Ford Access to Dan River Eden Wildlife Boating Access | 901 River Dr, Eden, NC 27288 | 2 Miles | 1 Hour | – | Beginner | Left | Left | |