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North Carolina | Alamance County

Haw RiverGraham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park

A 2.25-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Graham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distanceapproximately 2.25 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeapproximately 1.5–2.5 hours
ShuttleCar shuttle
Water flows over the dam on the Haw River at Bynum, North Carolina.
River contextHaw River dam at Bynum; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Mx. Granger via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceapproximately 2.25 river milesGraham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park
DifficultymoderateThe short route includes moving current, small Class I features, bridge debris, shallow rock, and the Swepsonville access/dam decision.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Swepsonville River Park Upper Access, then shuttle to Graham Paddle Access. Verify current road access, parking, carry, landing, and any pass or reservation requirement before launch.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow North Carolina boating and PFD rules, all access-manager hours and closures, posted dam or portage controls, and any pass or reservation terms. No route-specific paddling permit is implied beyond the access terms cited here.
CampingDay tripNo route-specific overnight camping is assumed; use separately verified designated sites or a nearby basecamp.
SeasonMar-OctUse current Haw River gauge, recent rain, trend, debris, water temperature, daylight, and park hours. The river can rise quickly after storms and become difficult to exit.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 2.25-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Graham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Graham Paddle Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Haw River Trail names Graham and Swepsonville River Park and publishes the 2.25-mile section. NCWRC lists Swepsonville River Park as a canoe access; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and upper-access landing before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Swepsonville River Park Upper Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

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.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • The Haw River Trail names Graham and Swepsonville River Park and publishes the 2.25-mile section. NCWRC lists Swepsonville River Park as a canoe access; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and upper-access 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
  • The park launch and nearby trail facilities do not authorize informal bank camping.

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

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Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Water flows over the dam on the Haw River at Bynum, North Carolina.
Haw River dam at Bynum; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Mx. Granger via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC0

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 pairGraham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park Upper Access

    The Haw River Trail names Graham and Swepsonville River Park and publishes the 2.25-mile section. NCWRC lists Swepsonville River Park as a canoe access; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and upper-access landing before launch.

    Source

  • Published route length and paddling context2.25 miles; approximately 1.5–2.5 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.

    Source

  • direct gauge contextUSGS 02096500 Haw River at Haw River, NC

    Use current discharge, stage, trend, recent rainfall, and visual conditions. No numeric recreational cutoff is transferred.

    Source

  • Camping posturenearby_basecamp

    The park launch and nearby trail facilities do not authorize informal bank camping.

    Source

  • Safety and boundary posturePlanning-only moving-water route with explicit access and hazard checks

    Wear a PFD and remain alert for the Class I features and bridge debris described by the official section guide. Take out at the Swepsonville upper access before the downstream dam/portage decision. Never approach the dam from the current. Confirm Graham and Swepsonville parking, carry, gate hours, and the correct upper landing. Do not use private shoreline or a bridge shoulder. Do not continue downstream into the Swepsonville-to-Saxapahaw section without separately planning the lower access and Puryear portage.

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

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Nearby routes within 75 miles

Dan RiverDanville Riverfront Park to Anglers Park · about 37 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 3.3 river milesNeuse RiverFalls Dam public paddlecraft launch to Thornton Road · about 45 straight-line mi awayModerate · 4.7 river milesSmith RiverMarrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River Access · about 47 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3.4 river milesNeuse RiverThornton Road to River Bend Park · about 47 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5.6 river miles

Quick answers

Haw River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Graham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park 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 Graham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park route on the Haw River start and end?

This route starts at Graham Paddle Access and ends at Swepsonville River Park Upper Access, approximately 2.25 river miles on the water.

Is the Graham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River Park 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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