paddle trip Archives - GetGoing NC!

A Weekend to celebrate the Dan River State Trail

JoeMiller — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:36:58 +0000

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.

The post A Weekend to celebrate the Dan River State Trail appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Your weekend: Beat the heat with a paddle

JoeMiller — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 10:16:21 +0000

It’ll be toasty this coming July weekend, a weekend that just makes sense to be on the water

Coast / Coastal Plain

Photo courtesy NCAquariums

It is perhaps the most rewarding type of paddling — and the easiest: paddling the tidal flats and meandering backwaters of the coast. The ill-defined wetlands along the sounds, the narrow tidal creeks enveloped in lush maritime woods that feed into the sounds. So much to see just a paddle-length away.

The only hitch: you need to know where to go, or go with someone who does.

That’s why we like Saturday’s Roosevelt Natural Area Paddle Trip at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The morning paddle is led by aquarium naturalists who know every twist and turn, and can help you make sense of this expansive ecosystem. Gear and guide provided

Vital Stats: Roosevelt Natural Area Paddle Trip, Saturday, July 23, 9-11 a.m., NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. $25, ages 12 and up. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 88, mostly sunny.

* * *

Looking ahead: Soundside Hike, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Tuesday mornings at 9 a.m. More info here.

Piedmont

Photo courtesy Greensboro Parks & Rec.

The temperature is forecast in the upper 90s for this weekend, which leaves one to wonder: why take a chance and wait for excessive heat when you can hedge your bets with an evening paddle now. As in this evening.

Tonight, the temperature will dip into the 70s for the Night Paddle on Lake Brandt. Picture yourself, the sun setting, paddle in hand, gentle waves lapping your bow, a cool breeze washing over you, washing away the stress of the day … .

BYOB or rent one at the marina.

Vital Stats: Thursday, July 21, 8-10 p.m., Lake Brandt, Greensboro. $22 per tandem kayak, $15 per single kayak, $8 if you bring your own boat. More info here.

Saturday evening forecast: Highs in the upper 70s, mostly clear skies.

* * *

Looking ahead: Meanwhile, on neighboring Lake Higgins, find night paddles on July 27, Aug. 10 and 24. More info here.

Mountains

You see standup paddleboard races at the coast, but not so much in the mountains. This weekend, however, you’ll see that very thing, when the Autism Society of North Carolina sponsors the inaugural Stand Up for Autism paddleboard race at Lake Julian in Arden.

A 3-mile race on the lake followed by live music, beer, food, and raffle prizes. Racing is in both the competitive and non-competitive categories.

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. race start, Lake Julian, Arden. $25 online, $30/day of event. More info and to register, go here.

Saturday forecast: high of 94, mostly sunny.

* * *

Looking ahead: Sunday, Oct. 2, Fall Colors Hike (hey, it’s never too early to plan ahead), Grandfather Mountain State Park. More info here.

* * *

Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of coastal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Great Outdoor Provision Co.
Calendar includes three weekly events for each of its seven markets: Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem. Search by market.

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post Your weekend: Beat the heat with a paddle appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

This weekend: Paddle for glory, hike for color

JoeMiller — Wed, 09 Oct 2013 15:24:23 +0000

Fall revs up in the high country with increasing color while paddling opportunities linger in the Piedmont.

Chimney Rock in fall. Photo by Chuck Hall

Coast

We venture into the wild for various reasons. One of those reasons: to learn about, and see new things. A visit to Lake Waccamaw State Park offers some especially interesting learning opportunities. For instance, the park’s website informs us: “Lake Waccamaw’s water quality contributes to an interesting mix of animal life in the park. Several species are found only in or around the lake and nowhere else on Earth. These species are known as endemics.” Among those endemics: Waccamaw darter, Waccamaw silverside, Waccamaw killifish, Waccamaw spike and the Waccamaw fatmucket.

How many opportunities do you get to experience a fatmucket? At least one, on Saturday’s Afternoon Paddle: Big Creek Adventure. Start on the creek, wind up in Lake Waccamaw, a Carolina bay, with lots of the unusual to see on the way.

Logistics: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2 p.m. Free. More info on the park here.

Saturday forecast: High of 77, mostly cloudy.

Piedmont

5Ks are a dime a dozen (closer to $35 a dozen, if you’re going by the entrance fee). But canoe and kayak races? And Saturday’s Fall Canoe and Kayak Race at Mayo Lake in Person County on Saturday isn’t just a race: you can race a canoe, you can race a kayak, you can race a technical course, you can race a linear course and you can race in your age group. That’s a whole lot of racing, especially for the modest $15 entrance fee.

Logistics: Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m., Mayo Lake in Person County. Learn more about the race and find out where Mayo Lake might be, here.

Saturday forecast: High of 70, overcast.

Mountains

All hail the Waccamaw fatmucket (only at Lakw Waccamaw). Photo Courtesy N.C. State Parks.

The mountains are getting lit early this fall, with a blaze of red, yellows, oranges and hues in between. The report from Chimney Rock is especially enticing: “Splashes of red are appearing in the dogwood and sourwood trees, along with yellows in the poplars,” reports Chimney Rock Park. But wait, there’s more: “This is a very good wildflower season for goldenrod, snakeroot, Wingstem and a variety of asters. Brown-eyed Susans and sunflowers are also blooming, with some Pink Turtlehead remaining.”

Enjoy the show on your own on the park’s trail system, or tap into the 11 a.m. naturalist-led hike that will be occurring every Saturday through October, commencing from the Meadows area.

Logistics: Every Saturday at 11 a.m., Chimney Rock Park in Chimney Rock. Admission to the park is $12 for adults, $6 for 5- to 15-year-olds, and free for the 4 and under set. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 75, trending from clear to partly cloudy.

photo by Chuck Hill

* * *

Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend: Paddle for glory, hike for color appeared first on GetGoing NC!.