Dan river tubing/canoeing in Stokes Co.

Joe J.

Joe J.

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Location
King, NC
I went out scouting the river today and was wondering where is the best place to go tubing and or canoeing for like a 1/2 day trip. I found a couple in/out spots that look good but don't really know how long it would take to travel.

First spot I found is next to a bridge at the 268 & 89 intersection but at first glance I don't know if its public land or private since it was next to a cornfield. there were five or six vehicles parked there however and its not directly beside the highway. its off of a kinda rutted out dirt road but there were no signs. I guess the exit would be at the next bride at Seven Islands Rd. but Im not sure. didn't get to go through there to look because the fire dept. had the road blocked for some car accident or something.

best spot I found so far is off of Flenchum Rd. next to the Dan River company outfitters. since its on park land I know its legal. and the exit from there looks to be in Moratuck Park in Danbury. If anyone has taken this route please let me know if its good for a two person canoe with gear or if its better with tubes. the entrance off of Flenchum looked kinda shallow to me tho.

if ya'll have any other good spots let me know, I would like to take some friends out there on a saturday or sunday and enjoy the river.
 
Went yesterday from 11 to 4 kayaking/fishing. I, as well as other fisherman hate the hoards of tubers that come down the river drunk so dont do that. Tubing also takes like 10 hours where it might take 3.5 hours for a person in a kayak with minimal paddling. I went with a coworker that lives up that way and can get more info on where to get in and get out. We put in at this gravel parking lot with a shelter and nice steps down to the river (It is across from a gas station and if you go down there around 1pm you will see a bunch of cars and mexicans huddling in the river) and got out by a bridge. There were signs by the road where we got out down river so it was legal. He says it gets so crowded with tubers on the 4th of july and other big weekends that they close down the river in certain sections. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of tubes all bunched up. The fishing is good though except it was a little muddy from the storms they have been getting.
 
I've never been to Dan River but New River has many places to put in and get out along the way. You can find river maps at the state parks.
 
Thanks for the link, vot454!

I used to canoe the Mayo River with a group back in HS, they did some trips on the Dan, too... I don't remember any details, though. :rolleyes:
 
Morotoc park is cool. Its a horse shoe bend in the river, and the park sits in the middle. hop inthe tube and ride around the bend, takes about 20 minuts, pick it up and walk 5 minutes (if not less) back to the other side and do it again.

located a the general store just before you get to Hanging rock state park. For a longer trip see the Dan River Co on up the street on i think flintrock road...you may have to google them to get the right address.
 
thanks for all the info ya'll. this got more response than I thought it would. lol, I saw first hand the crowd you are talkin about at Moratuck Park. I was hoping to stay away from all that. but if its the best spot, what else can ya do? :shaking:

and yes, I know the New river is where its at for us here in NC. Ive went down that river a few times when I was a kid. will always be my favorite.

I was just wanting to try out the Dan cause it is so close to me, and it wouldnt take much planning to just go on a saturday afternoon. I guess I'll try it on tubes first to pick a favorite route. then I'll see about knocking the dust off of dads ole canoe. :D :beer:
 
We all need to plan a kayak/ canoe/ tube trip this summer. I'm dying to go. I usually go 2-3 times a year with a couple of buddies of mine but I'm finding it hard to get them to go. I enjoy it as much as I enjoy wheeling.
 
96tacolx said:
We all need to plan a kayak/ canoe/ tube trip this summer. I'm dying to go. I usually go 2-3 times a year with a couple of buddies of mine but I'm finding it hard to get them to go. I enjoy it as much as I enjoy wheeling.
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sounds good to me man. if anyone else is interested we can all set a date to go down the river. :beer:
 
4LWranglerTJ said:
Went yesterday from 11 to 4 kayaking/fishing. I, as well as other fisherman hate the hoards of tubers that come down the river drunk so dont do that. Tubing also takes like 10 hours where it might take 3.5 hours for a person in a kayak with minimal paddling. I went with a coworker that lives up that way and can get more info on where to get in and get out. We put in at this gravel parking lot with a shelter and nice steps down to the river (It is across from a gas station and if you go down there around 1pm you will see a bunch of cars and mexicans huddling in the river) and got out by a bridge. There were signs by the road where we got out down river so it was legal. He says it gets so crowded with tubers on the 4th of july and other big weekends that they close down the river in certain sections. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of tubes all bunched up. The fishing is good though except it was a little muddy from the storms they have been getting.
Click to expand...
Talked to a few fishermen and from what they said I think its the Dodgetown Rd. bridge you are talking about for the exit. the entrance is Moratuck Park in Danbury.

sammi_davis said:
As long as it isnt too hairy I would be interested .
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most of the Dan is placid and slow paced, more of a relaxing river than the whitewater your probably thinking about.

96tacolx said:
http://www.danriver.org/RiverInfo/Distances_Times_Rapids.htm
Lets work on a date for a nc4x4 canoe/ kayak trip.
I probably can make anything towards the last two weekends of July or any weekend in August except for weekend of the 14th.
Any thoughts/ inputs?
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Im game anytime around there. maybe shoot for the first weekend in Aug.?

which route are ya'll interested in?
 
That could be it. I talked to my coworker and he said the area we got out was private land but there were signs saying it is okay for canoes, kayaks, and boats to get out, but tubers and waders/swimmers can't. I will try and remember to ask him about it tomoro
 
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