Join DRBA on Saturday, October 4, for a 4.3-mile paddle on the Dan River from the Hwy 704 / Water Street river access in Madison, NC, to the Jacobs Creek Batteau Landing access. Participants will meet at the put-in at 9:00 a.m. to unload boats and set the shuttle. This paddle is suitable for most skill levels with some Class I rapids. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
Participants must supply their own boat, paddles, life jackets, water and lunch. Please wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (cotton or denim is not recommended); and we recommend a towel and a backup change of clothing for the ride home. To participate with the DRBA group on this outing, all participants will be required to sign a waiver. Access points may involve steps or steep climbs.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
🛶About a quarter mile downstream from the put-in, the Mayo River flows in from river left. The river was named by William Byrd in honor of William Mayo, an English-born surveyor who assisted Byrd in mapping the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina.
🛶 Roughly half a mile later, the river passes beneath U.S. Highway 220. From this point all the way to the take-out, no bridges, roads, or buildings are visible offering a peaceful, uninterrupted natural experience.
🛶 Just a quarter mile past the US 220 bridge, at a spot known as Slink Shoal, the river flows through a scenic, rock-lined sluice and a series of historic wing dams, constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1880s. This section, and those that follow, feature remnants of old bateau navigation structures and Native American fish traps, adding historical interest to the journey.
PUT-IN
🏁Located on S Water St, Madison, NC 27025, directly under the Hwy 704 / Hwy 311 Bridge over the Dan River. (GPS Coordinates: 36.385297, -79.956720). From the intersection of U.S. Hwy 220 and Hwy 704 intersection near Smart Chevrolet, travel 1.3 miles west on U.S. Hwy 220 business, then turn right (north) onto on S. Market St., go approximately 0.2 miles and turn right on to E. Murphy St. Travel 0.2 miles and turn right onto S. Water St. at Mad Town Tubing. Follow S. Water St. for 0.2 miles to the river access entrance under the Hwy 704 bridge.
TAKE-OUT
🏁 Located at Planters Road, Madison, NC 27025 (GPS Coordinates 36.389346, -79.888302). From the intersection of U.S. Hwy 220 and Hwy 704 intersection near Smart Chevrolet, travel east on NC Hwy 704 for 2.8 miles, then turn left onto Planters Road. Travel 0.7 miles north on Planters Road, access will be on your left.
For more information, contact the outing coordinator, Will Truslow, by email at:
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‼️NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, October 3, 2025 for additional information.
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Madison, Workshops in Madison.
