North Carolina | Guilford and Alamance Counties
Haw RiverBrooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle Access
A 4-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Brooks Bridge to Altamahaw, the upper public access pair in the connected Alamance County paddle-trail system.
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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 4-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Brooks Bridge to Altamahaw, the upper public access pair in the connected Alamance County paddle-trail system.
Access map
Put-in
Brooks Bridge Paddle AccessThe Haw River Trail publishes Brooks Bridge and Altamahaw as named paddle accesses and describes the section as approximately 4 miles. Guilford County and NCWRC materials provide the Brooks Bridge access anchor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Altamahaw landing before launch.
Take-out
Altamahaw Paddle AccessPublished access information does not guarantee a clear waterline, safe landing, parking availability, or current post-storm conditions. Recheck the managing agency and on-site signs before unloading.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The Haw River Trail publishes Brooks Bridge and Altamahaw as named paddle accesses and describes the section as approximately 4 miles. Guilford County and NCWRC materials provide the Brooks Bridge access anchor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Altamahaw landing before launch.
- Published access information does not guarantee a clear waterline, safe landing, parking availability, or current post-storm conditions. Recheck the managing agency and on-site signs before unloading.
- Do not use a bridge shoulder, private bank, dam apron, or informal shoreline as a substitute endpoint.
Watch for
- USGS current trend and recent rain
- low-water rocks and scraping
- fast rises and storm debris
- strainers and cold water
- dam or mandatory portage
- access hours, parking, and carry
- private banks and missed take-out
- A paddle access or nearby natural-area campsite does not authorize camping at the endpoint or on private river frontage.
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
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
Reedy Fork near Gibsonville, 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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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
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 public endpoint pairBrooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle Access
The Haw River Trail publishes Brooks Bridge and Altamahaw as named paddle accesses and describes the section as approximately 4 miles. Guilford County and NCWRC materials provide the Brooks Bridge access anchor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Altamahaw landing before launch.
- Published route length and paddling context4 miles; approximately 2.5–3.5 hours, plus current, scouting, and shuttle time
The cited blueway or park material provides the corridor distance or access-chain context; this remains a planning estimate, not a guaranteed travel time.
- same-river proxy gauge contextUSGS 02094500 Reedy Fork near Gibsonville, NC
Use current discharge, stage, trend, recent rainfall, and visual conditions. No numeric recreational cutoff is transferred.
- Camping posturenearby_basecamp
A paddle access or nearby natural-area campsite does not authorize camping at the endpoint or on private river frontage.
- Safety and boundary posturePlanning-only moving-water route with explicit access and hazard checks
The Haw River Trail warns that levels change sharply with rain and drought. Treat published section guidance as planning context, not a guarantee; postpone if the river feels unsafe. Use the named Brooks Bridge and Altamahaw accesses only. Confirm parking, carry, gate hours, and the current landing; do not substitute a highway shoulder or private bank. Wear a properly fitted PFD and account for shallow rock, Class I current, strainers, cold water, bridge debris, and rapidly changing conditions. The route ends at Altamahaw before the next section. Take out there and do not continue into the downstream Haw chain without a revised access and shuttle plan.
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
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Haw River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Brooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle Access route on the Haw River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Brooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle Access route on the Haw River start and end?
This route starts at Brooks Bridge Paddle Access and ends at Altamahaw Paddle Access, approximately 4 river miles on the water.
Is the Brooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle Access route on the Haw River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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