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North Carolina | Wilkes County

Yadkin RiverKerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park

A roughly 7-mile Class I–II Yadkin River State Trail run from the Kerr Scott Dam tailwater access to Smoot Park in North Wilkesboro. The public endpoint chain, direct tailwater gauge, and upstream release-screen guidance make this a distinct upper-Yadkin route.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance7.1 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical time2.5–3.5 hours depending on release
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Yadkin River viewed upstream from Elkin, North Carolina.
River contextYadkin River at Elkin; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by NOAA / National Weather Service via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance7.1 river milesKerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park
DifficultymoderateMostly beginner-friendly Class I with some Class II current, but immediately downstream of a flood-control dam and sensitive to release changes, debris, cold water, and fast current.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at Smoot Park, then drive to the Kerr Scott tailwater access. Confirm parking, restrooms, ramp access, and current release conditions before launching.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific paddling permit is identified in the cited trail and access material. Follow current Corps, North Carolina boating, access-owner, and posted restrictions.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed for this day section. Kerr Scott reservoir facilities and downstream parks have separate rules; verify current reservations and closures independently.
SeasonMar-NovUse the tailwater discharge screen with the dam release trend, rainfall, debris, daylight, temperature, and a visual check. The lower shoulder is intentionally conservative because the published local guidance is strongest on the upper release boundary.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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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 short upper-Yadkin moving-water run with a dam-release screen, direct tailwater telemetry, public endpoints, and mostly Class I with some Class II current.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Kerr Scott Dam Tailwater Access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Tailwater Access is at 202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro, and Smoot Park is at 202 Chestnut Street, North Wilkesboro. Confirm the correct river-side entrance and current parking/ramp conditions on arrival.

Finish

Take-out

Smoot Park Access
Open mapDirections to take-out

The tailwater gauge is below Kerr Scott Dam, but release operations and rainfall can change conditions quickly. Check the upstream release context and the live tailwater value immediately before unloading.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Tailwater Access is at 202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro, and Smoot Park is at 202 Chestnut Street, North Wilkesboro. Confirm the correct river-side entrance and current parking/ramp conditions on arrival.
  • The tailwater gauge is below Kerr Scott Dam, but release operations and rainfall can change conditions quickly. Check the upstream release context and the live tailwater value immediately before unloading.

Watch for

  • dam release changes
  • tailwater rise
  • low water over riffles
  • storm debris
  • strainers and sweepers
  • cold water
  • access closures

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Checking trend.

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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

The Yadkin River viewed upstream from Elkin, North Carolina.
Yadkin River at Elkin; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by NOAA / National Weather Service via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
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Pulling the latest gauge and weather. Usually under 10 seconds.

Gauge inputChecking

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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.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteYadkin River below W Kerr Scott Dam near Buck, NC
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range250 cfs to 800 cfs
Low threshold150 cfs
High threshold1,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeLocal route guidance
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreYadkin Riverkeeper Kerr Scott release and upper-Yadkin outfitter guidance
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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.

  • State-trail access chainKerr Scott Tailwater Access to Smoot Park

    North Carolina lists both Tailwater and Smoot Park among the Yadkin River State Trail access applications.

    Source

  • Put-in facilities202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro; concrete ramp, paved parking, restrooms

    The access description identifies this as the beginning of the Yadkin River State Trail and documents the public facility.

    Source

  • Endpoint coordinates and route characterTailwater 36.1358333, -81.2231667 to Smoot Park 36.164, -81.1348333; about 7 miles, Class I–II

    The Piedmont Triad access brochure publishes coordinates and the connected access sequence; local route material describes the beginner-friendly Class I–II character.

    Source

  • Station-specific release guidanceUpper Yadkin local outfitter screen: dam gauge over 1,000 cfs is a no-go cue

    Yadkin Riverkeeper documents checking the Kerr Scott release and using the dam gauge with downstream gauges before operating.

    Source

  • Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-27USGS 0211139110 below Kerr Scott Dam; 317 cfs and 2.02 ft at 2026-08-27 14:45 local time

    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.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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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

South Fork New RiverElk Shoals Access to Wagoner Access · about 20 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 7.5 river milesSouth Fork New RiverN.C. 88 Bridge Public Canoe Access to Wagoner Access · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 5 river milesSouth Fork New RiverWagoner Access to U.S. 221 Access · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 16 river milesSouth Fork New RiverU.S. 221 Access to Kings Creek Access · about 23 straight-line mi awayModerate · approximately 9.5 river miles

Quick answers

Yadkin River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Kerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park route on the Yadkin River?

Paddle Today watches Yadkin River below W Kerr Scott Dam near Buck, 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 Kerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park route on the Yadkin River start and end?

This route starts at Kerr Scott Dam Tailwater Access and ends at Smoot Park Access, 7.1 river miles on the water.

Is the Kerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park route on the Yadkin 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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