Dan River in North Carolina

Trip Overview

We started out on yet another beautiful day for being on the water. We put in at Collingstown Road Bridge, just below the old Jessups Mill dam (Stokes County). This section of the river is remote and beautiful. There were many rock gardens and huge boulders were scattered all along the trip. Banks rising over 100 feet were common with large rock outcrops. The water was just a little low for me and my friend. We had to get out three times and float the canoe down for approximately 20 yards at a time. Of course, we both weigh 215+ and the canoe is around 80 pounds, so we were not the lightest travelers!

We did a 12.6 mile trip. We got out at the NC 89 Bridge, where access is somewhat difficult. There is a great access about 100 feet before the bridge on the left, but it is private property and when I put in there during a previous trip, I was charged five dollars by the property owner when I got back to my vehicle.

This trip took us 5 hours, a little slower average than normal, but if the water was up just 3 inches it would have been much faster.

Fees:

None

Directions:

NC 89 to Asbury Road to Collingstown Road

Resources:

Paddling Eastern North Carolina