North Carolina | Stokes County
Dan RiverHanging Rock to Moratock Park
A roughly 5.9-mile Class I–II Dan River State Trail section from the Hanging Rock State Park access to Moratock Park in Danbury. The public endpoint pair, direct Wentworth gauge, and local flow-screening guidance support a distinct family-friendly moving-water route.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A scenic Class I–II Dan River day section with two public accesses, direct regional telemetry, local flow cues, and a conservative moving-water safety posture.
Access map
Put-in
Hanging Rock State Park – Dan River AccessNorth Carolina State Parks lists the Hanging Rock Dan River access at 1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury. Piedmont Trails lists Moratock Park at 1077 Sheppard Mill Road; confirm current parking, stairs, riverbank footing, and any seasonal notices.
Take-out
Moratock Park AccessThe published mileage varies by source and access measurement (about 4.5–5.9 miles). This card uses the Dan River Basin route-family description and retains the named endpoint pair rather than implying surveyed mileage precision.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- North Carolina State Parks lists the Hanging Rock Dan River access at 1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury. Piedmont Trails lists Moratock Park at 1077 Sheppard Mill Road; confirm current parking, stairs, riverbank footing, and any seasonal notices.
- The published mileage varies by source and access measurement (about 4.5–5.9 miles). This card uses the Dan River Basin route-family description and retains the named endpoint pair rather than implying surveyed mileage precision.
Watch for
- flow below 150 cfs
- flow above 1,000 cfs
- rapid rise after rain
- easy Class II near Moratock
- low-water rocks
- strainers and storm debris
- NC 89 and Seven Island bridge hazards
- access closures
- cold water
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Dan River near Wentworth, NC. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Dan River near Wentworth, NC |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 250 cfs to 800 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Piedmont Trails / Dan River Basin local flow guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named route sectionHanging Rock State Park to Moratock Park; approximately 4.5–5.9 miles; Class I–II
Dan River Basin and Piedmont Trails document the popular public-access section, its moving-water character, and the endpoint chain; mileage varies by access measurement.
- Endpoint coordinatesHanging Rock 36.429985, -80.248259; Moratock 36.409296, -80.195971
Piedmont Trails publishes both practical GPS anchors and identifies the state-park and town park access facilities.
- Public put-in1258 Flinchum Road, Danbury, NC 27016
North Carolina State Parks identifies this as a paddling access on the Dan River with an easy riverside trail.
- Station-tied flow guidance150 cfs / 1.75 ft minimum cue; 250 cfs / 2.0 ft medium reference; 1,000 cfs / 3.5 ft dangerous cue
Piedmont Trails supplies local planning references for Dan River paddles. Paddle Today stores discharge thresholds and requires same-day visual, weather, debris, and access checks.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-27USGS 02071000; 205 cfs and 1.03 ft at 2026-08-27 17:45 EDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- State-trail contextDan River State Trail
North Carolina identifies the Dan River as a designated state paddle trail; this route is the documented Hanging Rock to Moratock access section.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Dan River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Hanging Rock to Moratock Park route on the Dan River?
Paddle Today watches Dan River near Wentworth, NC and treats 250 cfs to 800 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Hanging Rock to Moratock Park route on the Dan River start and end?
This route starts at Hanging Rock State Park – Dan River Access and ends at Moratock Park Access, approximately 5.9 river miles on the water.
Is the Hanging Rock to Moratock Park route on the Dan River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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