By Ward Swann, Yadkin River State Trail Coordinator
Kayaks glide over a glassy surface. The occasional splashes of fish going after bugs on the surface reflect the last of the silver sunset in ways that give the illusion of white waterborne fireflies. Paddlers take this all in while discussing common interests; paddling, water quality and, most of all, the upcoming paddling season. If you have an interest in being part of the environment and camaraderie that we had on the Salem Lake Moonlight Paddle, then get your calendar out and save some room for trips with the Yadkin Riverkeeper in 2026.
We will have many days on the water. For the campers in the group, we will have around 16 nights under the stars. Our “Long Paddle” will start in Patterson and end in Morrow Mountain, with a week break in the middle. Don’t want to commit that much time to it? There will be days at the beginning, and middle of the trip that you can join in. On one Saturday we will paddle from Tanglewood to Hwy 64. The next weekend we will set up camp at Boone’s Cave on Friday and paddle from Hwy 64 to Boone’s Cave on Saturday. The next day we’ll paddle from Boone’s Cave to Yadkin River Park beside the Wilcox bridge. That’s an easy way to join us for a significant stretch of the Yadkin River State Trail.
There will be the return of old favorites like the Carolina Heritage Paddle where you can enjoy some of North Carolina’s finest wine and meet the new management. River Cleanups are always a popular event, and we have two scheduled.
And there are some NEW OPPORTUNITIES! We are part of a community that is bringing canoe and kayak racing back to the heart of Yadkin Valley. The Race will be on the Saturday of Trail Days, June 6th and will run from Ronda to Crater Park. This race is an NC Trail Days event and planned through the collaborative efforts of Yadkin River State Trail/ Yadkin Riverkeeper and NC River Riders with support from Elkin Valley Trails Association, the towns of Elkin and Ronda alongside EMS from both communities. Simply put, this is a big deal.
Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with us as we put in at Huntsville and take out at Tanglewood. We will be joined by Historian Jason Melius and will hear what role the Yadkin played in the Revolution.
Another new arrival on the schedule is an overnight paddle/chill out at the Easy Bend riverside. It’ll be nice to wind down the YRK paddle year like we started it, paddling in the moonlight. This time the chill will definitely be in the air and frost may be on the pumpkins. So bring your long johns and bundle up by the fire after you get off the water. Later you may fall asleep to owls talking above your tent.
We have a little something for everyone including a mystery date. May 16th is held open for a trip and Ward is taking recommendations. Do we do the trip that we had to cancel from Old 421 to Huntsville? Or do we spend some time on the South Yadkin Paddle Trail? Or do we add a clean up? Send your recommendations to ward@yadkinriverkeeper.org and we’ll put together a crowd pleasing trip.
YRK Paddle Calendar for 2026
March 28 Lewisville Creek Week Paddle (Cancelled)
Kicks off the season by celebrating Forsyth Creek Week with our neighbors in the town of Lewisville by launching at Old 421 park and paddling to the Huntsville access
March 29 Moonlight Paddle
Salem Lake will be the site of a possible moonlit paddling opportunity. This will be the last of the Forsyth Creek Week events and a great way to see the riparian twilight.
May 16 Paddle? Destination TBD
Typically a weekend that is saved for the ACA instruction, this year we have a wild card of possibilities. Where will we go? South Yadkin? Lesser paddled Yadkin Sections?
June 5 Elkin to Burch Station Clean-up
This kicks off the NC Trail Days celebration. On Friday we will assemble for a quick lunch then paddle from Crater Park, Elkin to Burch Station. Participants will scour the riverside for trash that has been blown into the river.
June 6 Yadkin River Rumble
Day two of the NC Trail Days celebration kicks off with a RUMBLE. The Yadkin River Rumble is a canoe and kayak race from Ronda to Crater Park in Elkin. This is the first year of a race that could easily become one of the “classics” of North Carolina Paddling.
June 20 Carolina Heritage Paddle
A longtime favorite has us once again paddling from Elkin’s Crater Park to Burch Station and enjoying some time at the Carolina Heritage Vineyards. This well established program will be welcoming new owners to the vineyard.
July 18 Historic Shallowford
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we will paddle from Huntsville/Shallowford over the Shallow Ford where Cornwallis crossed the Yadkin on his way to the battle of Guilford Courthouse.
August 1-8 Long Paddle phase one
The Riverkeeper and Yadkin River State Tail Coordinator will start a two part paddle that will go the majority of the paddleable Yadkin River. This phase will start around Patterson and finish at 64. Interested participants are welcome to join but must be largely self sufficient.
August 1 and/or 2 Upper Yadkin paddle
As part of the Long Paddle, these two weekend days paddlers could easily join the adventure for one or both days while we paddle the waters “above the dam.”
August 8 Tanglewood to Hwy 64
A second chance to easily join the Long Paddle is when we paddle from Tanglewood to Hwy 64 on this Saturday. This is a great opportunity to see a long stretch of river that people miss.
August 15- 20 Long Paddle phase two
After taking a break to attend a conference, the Long Paddle is back. We will start at Hwy 64 and go to Morrow Mountain State Park to complete the Yadkin River portion of the Yadkin/Pee Dee watershed.
August 15 and/or 16 Hwy 64 to York Hill (Boone’s Cave camping)
The last easy way to join a small section of the Long Paddle starts by Camping at Boone’s Cave Park then shuttling up to Hwy 64 to paddle back to camp. The next morning we break camp and set a shuttle at York Hill where we will paddle to on Sunday.
September 4 Happy Valley Clean Up
Heading back to the waters above the dam, we will paddle the clear waters and search for all the litter that we can fit in our boats.
September 5 Happy Valley Paddle
After a good night sleep camping under the stars and listening to live music, we will once again enjoy the clear waters of a late summer paddle as leaves swirl by.
October 17 Great Trails State Day Paddle
In Celebration of North Carolina trails, Hiking, Horse, biking, and of course paddle. We will paddle on the Yadkin River State Trail and enjoy the fall Colors
October 24 Moonlight Camp Out
In October Moonlight, enjoy an evening paddle with no hurry to go home. Watch the sparks from the fire weave their way up to join the sparks of astronomical fires. Join us on this last paddle of the season under the night sky.