Sept FSO - Paddle on the Dan in Danville
September 5, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Please join us on Saturday, September 5, 2026, for a 3.3-mile paddle on the Dan River from Danville’s new Riverfront Park to Anglers Park boat access. Participants will meet at the put-in by 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 (DRBA) 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); we also recommend a towel and a back-up change of clothing for the ride home. In order 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 Details:
Experience downtown Danville from a completely new perspective. Putting in at the new Riverfront Park, you will immediately enter Wynne’s Falls. This shallow section of rapids and natural river ford is the exact site where Danville began. Named after 18th-century settler William Wynne, this historic crossing catalyzed the town's founding in 1792. The new park is certainly worth exploring after the paddle. This dynamic new City centerpiece features a splash pad, playground, paved paths, and native pollinator plantings.
After launch, you will navigate a lively stretch with a brisk current and small rock gardens. You will quickly cross under several historic bridges. Look up as you pass the second bridge, an 1800s railroad structure now carrying the Riverwalk Trail, to admire its massive, original stacked stone piers.
The river soon softens into a peaceful corridor flanked by tree-lined banks, interspersed with occasional fun-flowing riffles. Keep your eyes peeled for active local wildlife along the banks and on the rocks, including great blue herons, cormorants, sunbathing turtles, and occasional fish breaking the river's surface.
The trip concludes with an effortless take-out at Anglers Park. The park provides an excellent concrete boat unloading ramp, plenty of parking, and public restrooms.
PUT-IN: Riverfront Park, Memorial Drive, Danville, VA. (GPS Coordinates: 36.589727,
-79.391976). Note: the boat launch area only has several parking spaces, so attendees should pull in to off-load their boats then park in the adjacent gravel lot to allow everyone to offload.
Directions: From points south and west of Danville, take the bypass around Danville (Danville Expressway, Hwy 58/29) to the Goodyear Blvd exit. Go north on Goodyear Blvd. for approximately 0.8 miles, turn right on Industrial Drive. Follow Industrial Drive, which becomes Craghead Street, for approx. 1.12 miles. After you pass through two stoplights, the road becomes Memorial Drive, you will pass the park on your right and the entrance to the parking area will be on your right.
From points east (South Boston), take the Danville Expressway (29S / 58W) south to Goodyear Blvd. and follow the same directions above.
TAKE-OUT: Angler’s Park, Northside Drive, Danville, VA. 24540 (GPS Coordinates: 36.558930, -79.356529). Directions: From the Danville Expressway (Hwy 58/29), take the River Park Drive (Dan Daniel Memorial Park) exit. Go south on River Park Drive for 0.4 miles, turn right on Stinson Drive then take the next left on Northside Drive. Continue on Northside Drive and follow signs to “Angler’s Park / Public Boat Landing”.
DRBA is on MEETUP! Sign up and never miss a DRBA event!
For more information, contact the outing coordinator Chris Adcock by email at lump_vt@yahoo.com.
NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, September 4, 2026, for additional information.
