Dan River
The Dan River offers paddlers an exciting and scenic adventure that runs between Virginia and North Carolina crossing the Blue Ridge Mountains to Kerr Lake. 90 Miles of river have been established as a North Carolina State Trail. Paddling the Dan River provides a mix of calm stretches and moderate rapids, making it suitable for paddlers with intermediate experience depending on what section of the river you plan to visit.
The distance of the river allows for various paddling options, from day trips to multi-day excursions, offering paddlers the flexibility to explore different sections based on their preferences. Access to the river is convenient from the Piedmont Triad and offers numerous trips for the paddler from whitewater adventures to gentle flows. The Dan River Basin Association is the official partner of the Dan River.
DAN RIVER TRIP IDEAS
These paddles are great for the whole family. These segments are also great if you are new to paddling and looking to get a taste of the paddling world! These segments will be under 2 hours and will have few if any rapids, no dam portages, and are generally calmer areas to paddle in a canoe, or flat water kayak. When its possible, we pick accesses that have bathrooms and formal river accesses. Want to learn more about paddling with the family? REI has an amazing guide.
These segments will have a great payoff for the hard work you put into paddling. These routes will range from beginner to intermediate depending on rapids and length. Always bring extra water, snacks, and safety supplies. Check out the homepage for a packing list and safety information. Don’t forget to tag @Piedmontlegacytrails or #Piedmontlegacytrails in your pictures!
These are the sections for you! These segments will cover our Advanced level of paddling with class 2+ rapids. These sections will typically require gear like whitewater kayaks, sprayskirts, helmets, and skills like the ability to wet exit your boat. If you are paddling in advanced rapids, consider taking a swift water rescue course at the White Water Center or Landmark Learning or Cape Fear River Adventures.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
04) Moratock Park & Paddle Access to Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access
Put in: Moratock Park 1077 Sheppard Mill Rd, Danbury, NC 27016
Take out: Pitzer Road Public Fishing Area 1285 Pitzer Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
This section was chosen for the many amenities offered by Moratock Park like lots of parking, the historic Moratock Iron Furnace, and restrooms. From Moratock Park you have two options to choose for a route. Option 1 is a shorter route that does not require a shuttle, while option 2 is a longer route that does require a shuttle.
Moratock Park is split into two halves by Sheppard Mill Rd. However, the entire park is accessible by foot.
Option 1: (Orange arrows) The northern side of Sheppard Mill Rd. has a parking lot and river access along the sandy beach area. From this beach river access you can float for 30 min or paddle for 10 min. until you reach the southern access stairs on the left side of the river. When you get out, you can walk back to the beach. This is a great route if you just want to take a quick trip to the river.
Option 2: (Green arrows) The southern side of Sheppard Mill Rd. (where the historic Moratock Iron Furnace is located) has a river access with steps down to the water. If you enter the river here, the next river access is 3.8 miles away at the Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access, making it a 4.5 hour float, or a 2 hour paddle. This section requires a shuttle.
NOTE: THE RIVER DOES NOT CIRCLE BACK.
- Miles: See Map
- Hours to Paddle: See Map
- Hours to Float: Hours to Paddle: See Map
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Highlights: Moratock Iron Furnace, Moratock Park
SIGHTS WORTH SEEING
05) Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access to Hemlock Golf Course & Paddle Access
Put in: Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access: 1285 Pitzer Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Take out: Hemlock Golf Course & Paddle Access: 1232 Power House Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052
Rock formations and uncommon Carolina hemlock stands have received recognition as the According to Truslow, “This section of the Dan has the last of the really high bluffs before the river winds on into the Piedmont. Some are about 150 feet high.” The most spectacular is Davis Bluff, a dramatic rock face on river left where huge boulders lie in the water at the base of the cliff.
- Miles: 3.8
- Hours to Paddle: 1.5
- Hours to Float: 3+
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Highlights:
ADVANCED ADVENTURES
01) Jessup's Mill to Hart's Access NC 704
Put in: Jessup’s Mill River Access 1565 Collinstown Road, Westfield, NC 27053
Take out: Hart’s Access 3647 North Carolina 704 Hwy W, Lawsonville, NC 27022
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 tubing, camping, music, and more.
- Miles: 6.2
- Hours to Paddle: 3.5
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Highlights: Gorge
DAN RIVER INTERACTIVE MAP
The Dan river is in Pink. Click on each number to see details of each paddling segment. Numbers correspond to the trip suggestions.
PRINTABLE BLUEWAYS GUIDE
- Visit USGS
- Scroll to the nearest water gauge to your put in.
- Check the “Daily Discharge, Cubic Feet Per Second”
- See where that number fits within the suggestions below.
- Minimum: 150 cfs / 1.75′ – You can paddle most sections of the river. Anything lower and you will go on the best walk you ever took with a kayak! low levels on the river will move slower, adding time to your paddle.
- Medium 250 cfs / 2.0′ – Whitewater kayaking can begin, and the river flow is quicker, causing your trip time to lower. This can increase rapid classifications (Ex: Class II to Class III etc.)
- Maximum: 1,000 cfs / 3.5′ – the river is dangerous and even expert paddlers should stay off the water.
DAN RIVER ACCESSES AND TRIP DETAILS
ONLY AVAILABLE ON DESKTOP OR TABLET.
VISIT INTERACTIVE MAP FOR INFO. DATA AVAILABLE ON DESKTOP OR TABLET.
| Name | GPS Coordinates | Miles to Next | Difficulty | Address | Portage | Parking | Bathrooms | Boat Launch Surface | Put in (River side) | Description |
| Jessup’s Mill Access | 36.525703, -80.370423 | 6.1 Miles | Intermediate | 1565 Collinstown Road, Westfield, NC 27053 | – | Large gravel lot next to road and river access, no accessible spaces. Farm road cuts through lot | No | Wooden stairs under bridge leads to sandy embankment. Wood cartop launch. Not motorized boat access. | 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! More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Hart’s Access | 36.514368, -80.302750 | 12.8 Miles | Beginner | 3647 North Carolina 704 Hwy W, Lawsonville, NC 27022 | – | Gravel lot off of heavily eroded loop driveway. No Accessible spaces | No | Concrete ramp at end of parking lot. Accessed by steep gravel driveway | Left | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Hanging Rock Access | 36.429985, -80.248259 | 5.2 Miles | Beginner | 1258 Flinchum Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 | – | paved lot | No | paved boat ramp | Right | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Moratock Park Access | 36.409296, -80.195971 | 3.8 Miles | Beginner | 1077 Sheppard Mill Rd, Danbury, NC 27016 | – | Large gravel driveway leads to bank of river, ~200′ along river to a gravel parking loop. | 1 Porta-john near the parking loop | stairs lead down to water level across sandy embankment. No ramp, no handrails, no launch. | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Pitzer Road Public Fishing Access | 36.401827, -80.145831 | 5.3 Miles | Intermediate | 1285 Pitzer Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 | – | Small paved lot | No | Concrete steps & concrete handicap ramp | Left | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Hemlock Golf Course | 36.369400, -80.126753 | 9.2 Miles | – | 1232 Power House Rd, Walnut Cove, NC 27052 | – | Paved pullout into gravel shoulder next to access. No marked accessible spaces | No | gravel road leads to concrete ramp | 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) More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Pine Hall Access | 36.318836, -80.050041 | 7.1 Miles | Beginner | 1716 Pine Hall Rd, Pine Hall | – | Uneven gravel lot off of shoulder, grassy parking area in addition to that. | No | 2 muddy overgrown ramps drop down to the water. | Right | – |
| Madison River Park (Takeout) | 36.374784, -79.994377 | 2.9 Miles | Beginner | 643 Lindsey Bridge Rd, Madison, NC 27025 | – | Large gravel lot | 1 Porta-john | ramp | Right | This take out is before/upstream of the class 1 rapids at the Madison River park. Exit here at the concrete ramp that leads to the parking lot. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Madison River Park (Put-In) | 36.374846, -79.993389 | 2.9 Miles | Beginner | 644 Lindsey Bridge Rd, Madison, NC 27025 | – | Large gravel lot | 2 Porta-john | ramp | Right | This is the perfect section for a beginners and experienced paddlers! Start at Madison River Park. Put in can be in the class 1 rapids, or carry your boat further downstream to avoid the rapids. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Hwy 704 Access | 36.384917, -79.955018 | 4.25 Miles | Beginner | S Water St & E Academy St, Madison, NC 27025 | – | Main lot is gravel and lawn, well graded and partially shaded by highway bridge and approx. 75′ by 1 | 2 port-a-johns, reasonably maintained, 1 accessible, located in main parking lot | stairs | Left | This is where the Mayo and the Dan meet! Once you’re on the river it’s just you, the trees and the wildlife. Beware of the next take out. The river bank can wash out and leave a csmall cliff under the staircase making it very difficult to use this as a take out. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing | 36.390567, -79.888084 | 4.3 Miles | Beginner | 558 Planters Rd, Madison, NC 27025 | – | Gravel lot with accessible parking | No | Stairs | Right | This section is home to remnants of the historical Jacobs Creek batteau navigational system. This put in has a steep staircase to the water. The river can wash out the riverbank and leave a drop between the last step and the river bank. Walk all the way to the put in before deciding to put your boat in. Just beyond Settles Bridge on river right there will be metal steps at the takeout. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Settles Bridge Access | 36.410852, -79.826519 | 4.25 Miles | Intermediate | 241 Dan River Road, Madison, NC 27315 | – | A sloped gravel lot, 250′ x 50′ off of the dead end of Dan River road. No accessible spaces. | No | A 10′ wide footpath leads from the parking area down to stairs, stairs are trechearous, no handrails | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Dan River Game Lands Canoe/Kayak Launch | 36.433559, -79.797260 | 1.1 Miles | Intermediate | 498 Woodpecker Road, Eden, NC 27288 | – | gravel parking lot | No | concrete steps | Right | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Klyce Street Landing | 36.475314, -79.777726 | 1.5 Miles | Beginner | Kylce Street, Eden, NC 27288 | – | Gravel lot | No | Metal stairs | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Leaksville Landing River Access | 36.485483, -79.763693 | 1.3 Miles | Beginner | 36.485653543484894, -79.76359867930195 | – | Gravel lot with 8 marked spots, no accessible spots | No | Concrete boat ramp | 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Eden Wildlife Access | 36.475320, -79.750192 | 5 Miles | Intermediate | 587 Bethlehem Church Road, Eden, NC 27288 | – | Gravel lot just off of road. No accessible spaces. Prone to flooding | No | 12′ wide paved boat ramp, no hand rails | Left | DAM AHEAD! DO NOT FLOAT OR PADDLE OVER THE DAM. You must 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. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Draper Landing River Access | 36.498377, -79.681004 | 21.5 Miles | – | 763 South Fieldcrest Rd, Eden, NC, 27288 | – | 40′ x 40′ well graded gravel lot. No accessible spaces | No | 50′ gravel drive leads to graded metal staircase down to water line. 10′ wide w/ handrails. No ramp | Right | This is the last Dan River access in North Carolina. The next access is in Danbury Virginia. More info here: https://www.danriver.org/interactive-map |
| Abreu-Grogan Park Access | 36.575143, -79.434400 | 3.6 Miles | – | 2020 Memorial Drive, Danville, VA, 24541 | – | Sloped lot parallel to stree. 2 Accessible spaces with access aisles. 10 other spots | Yes – 1 accessible indoor bathroom next to boathouse | 18′ wide ocncrete boat ramp w/ accessible pier. Another smaller ramp for launching rowing boats | Right | DAM AHEAD! DO NOT FLOAT OR PADDLE OVER THE DAM. No portage or downstream river access. |
RIVER RENTALS
MadTown Tubing
102 N. Water St. Madison, NC 27027 336-548-2789 Rentals: Kayak / Tube
Mayodan Outdoor Sports, Inc.
100 East Main Street Madison, NC 27027 336-548-6296 Rentals: Kayak / Tube
Dan River Company
1110 Flinchum Rd. Danbury, NC 27016 336-593-2628 Rentals: Kayak / Tube / Shuttle
Dan River Outfitters & Glamping
4890 NC Hwy 704 Madison, NC 27025 336-916-7070 Rentals: Tubing / Events / Camping
DAN RIVER RESOURCES
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) protects and promotes the Dan River Basin through recreation, education and stewardship.
Disclaimer: This information is used entirely at the reader’s discretion and is made available on the expressed condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by the author or publisher or any of its associates, employees, branches, or subsidiaries for the accuracy, content, or use thereof. River channels are dynamic features and thus change frequently; the boater must be aware that hazards exist and be wary of them. Paddling poses significant potential hazards, including the risk of injury or death, and each person participating in this activity needs to understand the risks involved, obtain the necessary training, and take all the needed precautions. This guide provides general information on the topic of paddling, and by providing this information, we do not assume any liability for its use.
