See all 3 routes on Yadkin River
North Carolina | Davidson County
Yadkin River
US 64 Access to Boone’s Cave Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Yadkin River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short Yadkin River day run with public canoe accesses, endpoint camping at Boone’s Cave Park, and a direct gauge-linked operating envelope.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
US 64 Yadkin River Canoe AccessNCWRC lists US Hwy 64 at 35.8558, -80.3853 and Boone’s Cave Park access at 35.79994, -80.46816. The latter is the mapped river-entry point rather than the park-center coordinate; follow current signs and safe water-entry paths.
Take-out
Boone’s Cave Park Canoe/Kayak AccessDavidson County says Boone’s Cave Park is canoe/kayak access only, does not offer rentals or shuttle service, and requires a parking pass for a vehicle left while paddling. Talk with park staff before unloading supplies.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- NCWRC lists US Hwy 64 at 35.8558, -80.3853 and Boone’s Cave Park access at 35.79994, -80.46816. The latter is the mapped river-entry point rather than the park-center coordinate; follow current signs and safe water-entry paths.
- Davidson County says Boone’s Cave Park is canoe/kayak access only, does not offer rentals or shuttle service, and requires a parking pass for a vehicle left while paddling. Talk with park staff before unloading supplies.
Watch for
- USGS 02116500 outside 1,000–5,000 cfs or 1.0–4.0 ft
- rising trend
- storm debris and sweepers
- low-water shoals
- bridge-area carry
- private banks
- cold water
- Boone’s Cave Park parking and gate rules
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Yadkin River at Yadkin College, NC |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | 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 |
| Target band | 1,000 cfs to 4,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| High threshold | 5,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail US 64 to Boone’s Cave Park flow table |
| 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.
- Public endpoint chainUS 64 to Concord Church 9.4 miles, then Concord Church to Boone’s Cave Park 3.5 miles; approximately 12.9 miles total
Piedmont Legacy Trails lists the consecutive access distances; the generated canonical river line measures approximately 12.84 miles between the named endpoint anchors.
- Endpoint coordinates and canoe accessUS Hwy 64: 35.8558, -80.3853; Boone’s Cave Park access: 35.79994, -80.46816
NCWRC identifies the park as canoe access; the mapped Boone’s Cave Access point provides the river-entry coordinate used here.
- Boone’s Cave Park operationsCarry-in canoe/kayak access; parking pass required for a vehicle left during a paddle; primitive and semi-primitive camping
Davidson County publishes the access trail, no-rental/no-shuttle restriction, parking requirement, and campsite information.
- Station-specific flow table1.0–4.0 ft and 1,000–5,000 cfs for US 64 to Boone’s Cave Park
The Daniel Boone Heritage Canoe Trail identifies USGS 02116500 Yadkin River at Yadkin College as its stream-flow source and publishes the segment bounds.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 02116500; 1,260 cfs and 1.11 ft at 2026-08-29 17:15 EDT
The reviewed observation was just above the published lower shoulder; recheck the current value and trend before launch. A reading inside the band does not certify safe conditions.
- Image decisionApproved same-river Yadkin River context image selected
The route gallery uses the public-domain Yadkin River at Elkin image as same-river context; it is not presented as an endpoint photograph.
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
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
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Quick answers
Yadkin River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Yadkin River?
Paddle Today watches Yadkin River at Yadkin College, NC and treats 1,000 cfs to 4,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Yadkin River route start and end?
This route starts at US 64 Yadkin River Canoe Access and ends at Boone’s Cave Park Canoe/Kayak Access, about approximately 12.9 river miles on the water.
Is this Yadkin River route good 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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