Paddle TodayFind the best paddle near you today

Live score, water level, and weather.

See all 4 routes on Mayo River

North Carolina | Rockingham County

Mayo RiverDeshazo Mill Access to Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access

A short planning-only Mayo River State Park section between the Deshazo Mill and Anglin Mill accesses, with Class II current, rocky features, and a waterfall hazard at the Deshazo area.

Route location

Loading the route map.

Open access map

Plan this route

Distanceapproximately 1.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timeapproximately 1–2 hours
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Mayo River at the U.S. 220 access in Mayo River State Park, North Carolina.
River contextMayo River State Park U.S. 220 access; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by bobistraveling via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
View Primary Source
Embed this route

Route alerts

Email me when this route improves

We'll email you when this route climbs into Good or Strong. Every email includes an unsubscribe link.

We only email on a new threshold crossing.

Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceapproximately 1.5 river milesDeshazo Mill Access to Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access
DifficultymoderateThe park describes the Mayo as Class II and identifies a waterfall at Deshazo Mill; this short section requires scouting and a craft/skill level suited to moving water.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Mayo River State Park Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach River Access, then shuttle to Mayo River State Park Deshazo Mill 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.
CampingOptions nearbyUse a nearby basecamp. Mayo Mountain has the park camping facility, but neither endpoint authorizes informal riverbank camping.
SeasonMar-OctUse the direct Mayo gauge with recent rain, trend, debris, water temperature, daylight, park hours, and visual channel checks. No reading alone certifies a safe launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

Waiting on forecast.

Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A short planning-only Mayo River State Park section between the Deshazo Mill and Anglin Mill accesses, with Class II current, rocky features, and a waterfall hazard at the Deshazo area.

Access map

Skip map

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

End of map
Start

Put-in

Mayo River State Park Deshazo Mill Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

North Carolina State Parks publishes both named accesses, GPS anchors, day-use rules, and paddling as a permitted activity. Confirm the gravel-road approach, parking, carry, landing, park hours, and current Deshazo waterfall conditions before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Mayo River State Park Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach River 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

  • North Carolina State Parks publishes both named accesses, GPS anchors, day-use rules, and paddling as a permitted activity. Confirm the gravel-road approach, parking, carry, landing, park hours, and current Deshazo waterfall conditions 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
  • Camping is concentrated at Mayo Mountain and requires separate current reservation/rule confirmation; do not camp at the river access or waterfall.

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

Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.

Browser plans

Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.

Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.

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

Checking preferred range.

Checking trend.

------------

Weather

Hourly forecast

Checking weather.

Loading today's forecast.

Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

Checking the next several hours.

Checking the best short-route window.
----Loading--

Route gallery

Photos

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

The Mayo River at the U.S. 220 access in Mayo River State Park, North Carolina.
Mayo River State Park U.S. 220 access; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by bobistraveling via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 2.0

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 pairMayo River State Park Deshazo Mill Access to Mayo River State Park Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach River Access

    North Carolina State Parks publishes both named accesses, GPS anchors, day-use rules, and paddling as a permitted activity. Confirm the gravel-road approach, parking, carry, landing, park hours, and current Deshazo waterfall conditions before launch.

    Source

  • Published route length and paddling context1.5 miles; approximately 1–2 hours, plus scouting, current, 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 02070500 Mayo River near Mayodan, NC

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

    Source

  • Camping posturenearby_basecamp

    Camping is concentrated at Mayo Mountain and requires separate current reservation/rule confirmation; do not camp at the river access or waterfall.

    Source

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

    Scout the Deshazo Mill/Fall Creek waterfall area from shore and stay clear of any unrunnable drop, structure, or recirculating water. Wear a PFD and account for Class II current, shallow rock, strainers, cold water, and changing access footing. Use only the named state-park accesses. Confirm gravel-road condition, parking, carry, hours, and the correct river landing before unloading. Take out at Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach and do not continue downstream without a separately verified endpoint 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.

Reports

Paddler reports

See recent photos and notes from people on the route.

Share your trip

Help build the route page

Add photos or send a quick condition report.

Photos

Upload route photos

Add access, hazard, or on-water photos.

No files selected yet.

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.Rockingham CountyJump to routes in this region.

More on Mayo River

All 4
Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access to Hickory Creek AccessRockingham CountyModerate · approximately 3.5 river milesAnglin Mill / Mayo Beach to Business 220Rockingham CountyHard · 10 river milesHickory Creek Access to Mayodan AccessRockingham CountyModerate · approximately 7.5 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Smith RiverSouth Martinsville River Access to Frith Drive River Access · about 11 straight-line mi awayEasy · Approximately 1.6 river milesSmith RiverFrith Drive River Access to Smith River Sports Complex River Access · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 river milesSmith RiverMarrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River Access · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3.4 river milesSmith RiverFieldale River Access to Doe Run River Access · about 11 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5 river miles

Quick answers

Mayo River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Deshazo Mill Access to Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access route on the Mayo 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 Deshazo Mill Access to Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access route on the Mayo River start and end?

This route starts at Mayo River State Park Deshazo Mill Access and ends at Mayo River State Park Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach River Access, approximately 1.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Deshazo Mill Access to Anglin Mill / Mayo Beach Access route on the Mayo 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.

Flag a change

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.

Report a changeEmail update