Yadkin River in North Carolina

Trip Overview

This is a great easy trip for someone looking for a peaceful few hours on a quiet river. We left our cars at the take out at Roaring River Canoe Rentals. The owner - John Alexander - and his dog Max also run a shuttle for those with their own gear. He loaded our kayaks onto his rig and shuttled us down to Smoot Park in North Wilkesboro where we put in.

We paddled this slow section of the Yadkin in the company of blue herons, turtles, and geese. There are a few very small rapids. After about an hour you pass a huge boulder on the left that is said to have Native American drawings on it. We found the rock, but not the drawings.

A little over three hours into our paddle we took a left onto Roaring River (you'll see a bridge downstream of the Yadkin when it's time to turn off) and paddled upstream on Roaring River until we came to the take out.

The paddle took three hours and forty-five minutes, and we encountered nobody else on the river. The river banks are steep, so you won't see any houses or other signs of civilization. A nice, peaceful paddle that makes for a relaxing short trip. We did it in an inflatable kayak and a sit-on-top.

John said that he also runs a trip that puts in where we took out. You can take out in Rhonda or go as far as the old Elkin-Jonesville Bridge if you want. We plan to go back and do that next time.

Fees:

$10 for the shuttle

Directions:

Route 268 to Cotton Mill Road in Roaring River to get to Roaring River Canoe Rentals.

Contact:

Roaring River Canoe Rentals

336-957-6147