Oct FSO Paddle on the Dan
October 3, 2026
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Please join the DRBA crew for the last First Saturday Outing (FSO) paddle of the season. This will be a 5-mile paddle on the Dan River in Eden, beginning at the Boat Landing Wildlife Access on Bethlehem Church Road (587 Bethlehem Church Road, Eden, NC 27288, GPS: 36.4753, -79.7503) and ending at the Draper Boat Landing on NC 770/NC 700. Participants will meet at the put-in by 9:00 a.m. to unload boats and set the shuttle.
This paddle offers a unique opportunity for those who have never paddled this section of the Dan River to see up close the Duke Power Company low-head dam and infrastructure at the Dan River Power Station.
Because of the dam, a portage is required. Paddlers should be prepared to carry their boats approximately 200 yards along a path to get below the dam. Wear appropriate footwear for walking over uneven terrain and keep in mind that whatever you bring on the paddle you will have to carry. Participants should also be prepared to help others on the trip as needed.
Outings and meetings of 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 all participants will be required to sign a waiver. Access points and the portage may involve steps, steep climbs or uneven terrain.
Trip Details:
The paddle begins with approximately two miles of flat water. The river is slowed to a crawl by the dam, so be prepared to do some paddling as you make your way downstream. Along this first section, you will pass the historic Mebane Bridge, sometimes known as the “Bridge to Nowhere.” You will then continue downstream beneath the Highway 14 bridge.
Approximately one mile past the Highway 14 bridge, the group will exit the river on river right, about 500 feet upstream from the dam, to begin the portage. The portage around the dam is approximately 200 yards and follows a path over uneven terrain. Everyone should be prepared to carry their own boat and gear and to lend a hand to fellow paddlers.
Once below the dam, everyone will have an opportunity to rest and regroup before launching again for the remaining three miles. The second half of the paddle offers a noticeably different experience, with faster-moving water and a more interesting river channel.
As you continue downstream, you will pass two historic Saura Indian sluices associated with the nearby Sauratown village: the “Ford Sluice” and the “Indian Shoal Sluice.” These historic features provide a fascinating connection to the Native American history of the Dan River Valley.
On river left, paddlers will also see work completed by Duke Energy to repair the area affected by the 2014 coal ash pond failure, which released approximately 39,000 tons of coal ash into the Dan River.
The final portion of the trip takes paddlers beneath the NC 770/NC 700 bridge and toward the new Draper Landing. The outing will conclude with a river-right take-out at the new concrete boat ramp at Draper Landing.
NOTE: This section includes a mandatory portage around the Duke Energy low-head dam. Never attempt to paddle over or through the dam. Follow all posted dam warnings and instructions from the outing leaders.
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Directions:
From Martinsville, VA: Take US 220 South toward Greensboro. Continue through Ridgeway and toward Madison. Take NC 704 East toward Eden then follow signs toward downtown Eden and NC 14. Cross the Dan River and turn right onto Harrington Highway. Turn right onto Bethlehem Church Road and continue to the Boat Landing Wildlife Access.
From Danville, VA: Take US 58 East toward Eden. In Eden, follow NC 14 toward downtown and cross the Dan River. Turn right onto Harrington Highway, then turn right onto Bethlehem Church Road. Continue to the Boat Landing Wildlife Access.
From Greensboro, NC: Take US 29 North toward Reidsville. Continue toward Eden and take NC 14 North/East toward Eden. In Eden, cross the Dan River and turn right onto Harrington Highway. Turn right onto Bethlehem Church Road and continue to the Boat Landing Wildlife Access.
From Reidsville, NC: Take NC 14 toward Eden. Continue into Eden, cross the Dan River and turn right onto Harrington Highway. Turn right onto Bethlehem Church Road and continue to the Boat Landing Wildlife Access.
From the east including South Boston and Halifax County, VA: Take US 58 West toward Danville and continue toward Eden. Follow signs for NC 14 and Eden. After crossing the Dan River, turn right onto Harrington Highway, then right onto Bethlehem Church Road.
(TAKE-OUT: Draper Landing, NC 700/770, Eden, NC, GPS: 36.50516, -79.75983)
For more information, contact the outing trip coordinator Keith Elliot by phone at (336) 613-2966 or email at keithmale1@gmail.com.
If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, October 2 for additional information.
