Join the Dan River Basin Association and the Piedmont Land Conservancy to celebrate National Trails Day on a scenic 4-mile paddle in Danbury, NC, on the Dan River. DRBA’s First Saturday Outing (FSO), happening Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 9:00 AM. We’ll paddle from Moratock Park in Danbury, NC, to the Pitzer Road Public Fishing Area takeout. Enjoy a day with two community organizations that work to protect our natural resources.
About the Paddle
Participants will meet at the Moratock Park boat launch (GPS coordinates: 36.4088, -80.1965) to unload boats and set the shuttle. This trip is suitable for paddlers of all skill levels. As always, Dan River Basin Association outings and meetings are free and open to the public.
Moratock Park Google Maps :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gM3oMKuVqVn366Ye8
History Along the River
The boat launch is located next to the historic Moratock Furnace, built in 1843 by Nathaniel Moody. The furnace played a key role in supplying iron to the Confederacy during the Civil War. In The Dan River Book, author Forest Altman praises this section of the river: “I don’t know why this isn’t a more popular section; it’s one of my favorites.”
This outing offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature. Expect to see blooming mountain laurel, along with butterflies, hawks, kingfishers, and herons. About a mile downstream, we’ll encounter Flat Shoals Creek on river right. Flat Shoals Creek rises on the flank of the easternmost Sauratown Mountains, named after the "Saura", a Siouan-speaking Native American tribe that lived in the area before European colonists arrived in the early 18th century.
What to bring
Participants must provide their own boat, paddle, life jacket, water, and lunch. Dress in water-shedding synthetic fabric or wool (avoid cotton and jeans), and bring a spare change of clothes. All participants must sign a waiver before paddling.
For more information, contact:
Keith Elliot at 336-613-2966 or
a2VpdGhtYWxlMSB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t
In case of cancellation:
Please check www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, June 6, 2025, for any updates regarding weather or river conditions.
You may also like the following events from Dan River Basin Association:
Also check out other
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Danbury,
Arts events in Danbury,
Literary Art events in Danbury.
