North Carolina has 15 State Trails, all of which deserve celebrating. Next weekend, the Dan River State Trail will get what it deserves. 

For the second year in a row, the Dan River Basin Association, the nonprofit that oversees the trail, and the Rockingham County Tourism Development Association will host the second annual celebration of this paddle trail, which runs for 90 miles through Surry, Stokes and Rockingham counties. (The entire Dan runs for 214 miles, beginning high in Patrick County, Virginia, dipping into North Carolina, and ending back in Virginia, in Kerr Reservoir on the Roanoke River.)

The Dan River State Trail being a paddle trail, most of the weekend’s events are water-related: There’s a kid-focused education session and whitewater kayaking Friday at Madison River Park, and there’s a 6-mile paddle on the Dan lead by DRBA plus a “snorkeing” session on Saturday. There’s a also a hike at Hanging Rock State Park Saturday as well as an appearance by “To the End of the World” author Andrew Waters in Eden to kick things off Thursday evening. Event times and descriptions follow.

Thursday, July 31
5:30 – 7 p.m. – History with Andrew Waters “To the End of the World,” The Hive, 622 Washington St., Eden. Author and conservationist Andrew Waters discusses 1781’s Race to the Dan, a pivotal event in the American Revolution. Waters, author of “To the End of the World: Nathanael Greene, Charles Cornwallis, and the Race to the Dan,” will share this lesser-known story of our fight for independence. For more info and to sign up for this free event, go here.

Friday, August 1
4 – 7 p.m. – Kid-Focused Environmental Education Session, Madison River Park, 640 Lindsey Bridge Road, Madison. Virginia-based EnviroScape will be on hand with its environmental education models – and Tub o Bugs! – to demonstrate water pollution concepts and their prevention. Also presenting will be Stormwater Smart, Mayo River State and more.
6 – 8 p.m. – Park ‘n’ Play, Madison River Park, 640 Lindsey Bridge Road, Madison. Whitewater boaters are encouraged to bring their boats and frolicin Madison River Park’s whitewater park.

Saturday, August 2
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. – 6-mile Paddle on the Dan River. Join the Dan River Basin Association for a 6-mile paddle on the Dan River from a private access off NC 89 to the Hanging Rock State Park canoe access off Flinchum Road in Stokes County. This paddle is suitable for most skill levels with some Class I and II rapids. The free paddle is part of DRBA’s First Saturday Outings program. Learn more here.

10 a.m. – noon – Snorkel the Dan, 1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury. Ever wonder what lives beneath the surface of our Piedmont waterways? Come prepared to find out — and get wet — using underwater viewers to check out the marine life below your knees.
2 – 5 p.m. – Social Hour at the Green Heron, 1110 Flinchum Road, on the Dan River in Danbury.
5 -6:30 p.m. – Guided 1.5-mile Hike at Hanging Rock State Park. From the Flinchum Road Access we’ll hike the Riverbluffs Trail to wind down the day. Meet at the park’s Dan River Access, 1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury.

Sunday, August 3
Choose your own adventure! Adventure abounds along the Dan River. To find the one best suited for you, check out these resources:

• Dan River Basin Association — DRBA, the non-profit partner for the Dan River State Trail, has comprehensive collection of adventure options — hiking, river access, parks, cultural attractions, and more — on its interactive map. Check it out here.
• Trails in RoCo — You’ll find a rundown of trails in Rockingham County at this site from the Piedmont Legacy Trails.