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North Carolina | Wilkes and Surry counties
Yadkin RiverRonda Park to Crater Park in Elkin
A 6.8-mile Class I–II Yadkin River State Trail segment from the public Ronda Park access to Crater Park in Elkin. The route uses the direct Elkin gauge and carries the local outfitter high-water screen documented by Yadkin Riverkeeper.
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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 moderate moving-water day run on the Yadkin River State Trail with public endpoints and a direct Elkin gauge-height screen.
Access map
Put-in
Ronda Park AccessYadkin County lists Ronda at 1934 Clingman Road and Crater Park at 310 Standard Street, Elkin, with 6.8 miles between public accesses. Follow current signs and operator instructions rather than relying on map pins alone.
Take-out
Crater Park River AccessThe NC Wildlife access listing identifies Ronda Park at approximately 36.2164, -80.9376. Crater Park is operated by Elkin Recreation and Parks; confirm current ramp, parking, and take-out conditions on arrival.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Yadkin County lists Ronda at 1934 Clingman Road and Crater Park at 310 Standard Street, Elkin, with 6.8 miles between public accesses. Follow current signs and operator instructions rather than relying on map pins alone.
- The NC Wildlife access listing identifies Ronda Park at approximately 36.2164, -80.9376. Crater Park is operated by Elkin Recreation and Parks; confirm current ramp, parking, and take-out conditions on arrival.
Watch for
- Elkin gauge near 4 ft
- upstream Kerr Scott release
- rising trend
- storm debris
- strainers and sweepers
- bridge piers
- access closures
- cold water
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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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
Yadkin River at Elkin, 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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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
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- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Yadkin River at Elkin, NC |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 2.00 ft to 3.50 ft |
| Low threshold | 1.50 ft |
| High threshold | 4.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Yadkin Riverkeeper Elkin gauge-height and local outfitter guidance |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
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 corridorYadkin River State Trail, 163-mile paddle trail
North Carolina identifies the Yadkin River State Trail as a paddle trail from the Kerr Scott tailwaters to Morrow Mountain State Park.
- Public endpoint chainRonda Park to Crater Park in Elkin, 6.8 miles
Yadkin County lists both public accesses, operators, addresses, and the distance to the next public access.
- Ronda access coordinates36.2164, -80.9376
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission access listing identifies Ronda Park as a public boat-ramp/canoe access.
- Crater Park access310 Standard St., Elkin, NC 28621; approximately 36.24191, -80.84789
Elkin Recreation and Parks publishes the facility address; the stored access coordinate is the mapped river-access point adjacent to the facility.
- Route class and endpointsRonda Access to Crater Park Access, 6.8 miles, Class I–II
The Yadkin Valley river brochure identifies the named endpoint pair, distance, and class for this section.
- Station-specific operating guidanceElkin near 4 ft is a no-go cue; about 3 ft / 1,500 cfs was a pleasant reference
Yadkin Riverkeeper reports local outfitter practice and emphasizes checking upstream Kerr Scott release, gauge trend, debris, and visual conditions.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-27USGS 02112250 at Elkin; 569 cfs and 1.31 ft at 2026-08-27 15:00 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.
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
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Reports
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Quick answers
Yadkin River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Ronda Park to Crater Park in Elkin route on the Yadkin River?
Paddle Today watches Yadkin River at Elkin, NC and treats 2.00 ft to 3.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Ronda Park to Crater Park in Elkin route on the Yadkin River start and end?
This route starts at Ronda Park Access and ends at Crater Park River Access, 6.8 river miles on the water.
Is the Ronda Park to Crater Park in Elkin 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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