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North Carolina | Alamance County

Haw RiverRed Slide Park to Graham Paddle Access

A 3.5-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Red Slide Park to Graham Paddle Access.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distanceapproximately 3.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeapproximately 2–3 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 3.5 river milesRed Slide Park to Graham Paddle Access
DifficultymoderateThe route is described as beginner relative to the Haw system but still includes riffles, mill remnants, bridge debris, strainers, and current that changes with rainfall.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Graham Paddle Access, then shuttle to Red Slide Park 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 access hours. Avoid the river during high water or after storms until the channel is visually checked.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A 3.5-mile planning-only Haw River Paddle Trail section from Red Slide Park to Graham Paddle Access.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Red Slide Park Paddle Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

The Haw River Trail names Red Slide and Graham as public accesses and publishes the 3.5-mile section. NCWRC lists canoe-access anchors in the Haw River corridor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Graham landing before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Graham Paddle 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 Red Slide and Graham as public accesses and publishes the 3.5-mile section. NCWRC lists canoe-access anchors in the Haw River corridor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Graham 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
  • Access facilities and nearby trail campsites do not grant informal bank or island camping rights.

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

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

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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 pairRed Slide Park Paddle Access to Graham Paddle Access

    The Haw River Trail names Red Slide and Graham as public accesses and publishes the 3.5-mile section. NCWRC lists canoe-access anchors in the Haw River corridor; confirm current parking, carry, gate hours, and the Graham landing before launch.

    Source

  • Published route length and paddling context3.5 miles; approximately 2–3 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

    Access facilities and nearby trail campsites do not grant informal bank or island camping rights.

    Source

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

    Wear a PFD and scout the first riffles below Red Slide. High water, bridge debris, strainers, and cold water remain relevant despite the official beginner label. Confirm the Graham landing and parking before launch. Do not use a bridge shoulder, private bank, or mill structure as an alternate endpoint. Stay clear of historic dam remnants and structures; take out at Graham before the next route decision. Keep a daylight and shuttle margin for the full 3.5-mile section and do not extend into Swepsonville without a separate check.

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.

More in North Carolina

All 48 routes
North Carolina route guideBrowse every tracked North Carolina route.Alamance CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Haw River

All 9
Altamahaw Paddle Access to Shallow Ford Natural AreaAlamance CountyHard · approximately 2.7 river milesBrooks Bridge Paddle Access to Altamahaw Paddle AccessGuilford and Alamance CountiesModerate · approximately 4 river milesGlencoe Paddle Access to Red Slide ParkAlamance CountyModerate · approximately 5 river milesGraham Paddle Access to Swepsonville River ParkAlamance CountyModerate · approximately 2.25 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Dan RiverDanville Riverfront Park to Anglers Park · about 35 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 3.3 river milesSmith RiverMarrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River Access · about 44 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3.4 river milesMayo RiverHickory Creek Access to Mayodan Access · about 45 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 7.5 river milesSmith RiverSmith River Sports Complex River Access to Marrowbone Creek River Access · about 46 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 2.4 river miles

Quick answers

Haw River paddling FAQ

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

This route starts at Red Slide Park Paddle Access and ends at Graham Paddle Access, approximately 3.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Red Slide Park to Graham 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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