Surry County, located in North Carolina wine country, is home to four rivers that are ideal for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. The four rivers – Yadkin, Fisher, Mitchell and Ararat – anchor more than 100 miles of countywide padding waters that are featured in a free map available to the public.
The new Surry County Four Rivers Map provides locations for all paddling access points in the county, as well as stream details and parking info for each access point.
The largest of the four is the Yadkin River, which forms the southern border of Surry County. That river alone offers more than 30 miles of paddling adventure as it snakes eastward from Elkin in the county’s southwest corner to Pilot Mountain State Park in the southeast corner.
The stretch of river flowing through Pilot Mountain State Park is quite scenic with islands, shoals and the remnants of a canal dam, all flanked by river birch and sycamore trees on the shoreline.
Two outfitters provide service on the Yadkin. Rocky Forest River Run near Elkin rents kayaks, canoes and tubes for self-guided trips up to six hours in length. In the historic village of Rockford, Yadkin River Adventures offers a variety of excursions. Choose from two-, four or six-hour options in a kayak or canoe. True adventurers can extend their trip to an overnight excursion with riverside camping. Rockford General Store across the street from the outfitter provides snacks, drinks, supplies and full picnic lunches.
If you’re new to paddling, Kapps Mill Kayak Rentals in Dobson is located on the Mitchell River with shallow, easy-flowing water. The company offers a 45-minute mini-run for first timers to try out the activity.