What we’re about
The Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) protects and promotes the Dan River Basin through recreation, education and stewardship.
Activities include a public outings in nature, trails and river access work groups, cleanups and more.
Outdoor enthusiasts and concerned citizens organized the Dan River Basin Association to preserve and promote the wilderness-like rivers of this border region of Piedmont North Carolina and Virginia. Leaders in the Basin's counties recognize the increasing importance of the abundant high-quality water in this 3300-square-mile region. In addition to its economic value as a water source and its historical significance as a means of transportation, this river system can provide excellent recreational opportunities to the 1.5 million citizens who live within an hour's drive.
The Association's founders are promoting the rivers for multiple uses, including recreation and commercial and municipal growth. DRBA assists localities in creating community parks, trails and access to local rivers and streams. We believe that, with careful planning, natural and cultural preservation and economic development can occur hand-in-hand. The unspoiled rivers, the region's unique and greatest resource, will be at the center as the sixteen counties of the Basin build a diverse economy, which must be based in part on new ideas. The Dan River Basin Association believes that providing outdoor recreation is essential to the region's quality of life and its ability to draw new investment.
As the region’s leading advocate and largest provider of programs and services to support the protection and preservation of our natural and cultural resources, the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) is committed to ensuring ALL communities view DRBA as an organization that is responsive and inclusive. To fulfill this commitment, we are strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work and to being a culturally competent organization. DEI policies and issues are concerned with the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to protection from environmental and health hazards. We remain committed to being a more culturally competent and inclusive organization and to ensuring all of DRBA's programs and services are easily accessible, promoted to, and embraced by, our diverse community.
The Dan River Basin Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in North Carolina and Virginia, with basin-wide membership and directors representing both states, and offices and professional staff in Collinsville, Virginia and Eden, North Carolina.
Upcoming events
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Hike to Hanging Rock- January FSO
Hanging Rock State Park, 2792 Hanging Rock Park Rd, Westfield, NC 27053, Westfield, NC, USPlease join us on Saturday, January 3, 2026, for a re-do of our December FSO that was cancelled due to weather. This classic North Carolina hike is to one of the Piedmont’s most iconic views! The “Hanging Rock” is a massive quartzite cliff that juts out dramatically into the landscape, where we’ll enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the Sauratown Mountains and the surrounding countryside.
Participants will meet at 10:00 a.m. just outside the Hanging Rock Visitor’s Center located at 1005 Visitor Center Drive in Westfield (GPS Coordinates: 36.394973, -80.266308). https://maps.app.goo.gl/MkQYTJhZnewwysJq8
This is an out-and-back hike on a mixture of gravel, dirt, and rock steps. Expect a moderate workout on the ascent and watch your footing on the way down. If you haven’t hiked it in a couple of years, you’ll notice the last portion is ½ mile longer and considerably less strenuous than before. The length of the hike is approximately 3.6 miles, round trip, with an elevation gain of over 600 ft. This hike is not ADA accessible.
Toward the finish, those who want a longer hike may wish to split off toward Wolf Rock, Cooks Wall or Moore’s Knob. If you do so, please inform the trip leader of your intention.
Participants for the hike should supply water and snacks, wear hiking boots and layers of water-shedding artificial fabric or wool and be prepared for rain, wind or other adverse weather. To participate with the DRBA group on this outing, all participants must sign a waiver.
Also check out DRBA's Be Safe Outdoors tips to be prepared for the hike. www.danriver.org/besafeoutdoors
For more information, contact the outing coordinator Tom Taylor EMAIL: tnt2703@yahoo.com or PHONE: (336) 402-6100
NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be cancelled, visit www.danriver.org or our Facebook page by Friday, January 2, 2026, for additional information.
Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.1 attendee
Hike the Paw Path and Dick & Willie Trail- February FSO!
Smith River Sports Complex, 1000 Irisburg Rd, Axton, VA, USJoin the Dan River Basin Association for an approximately 3.5 mile hike on the Paw Path and the Dick & Willie Passage Trail (D&W) starting from the river access at the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, VA (Henry County) for DRBA’s First Saturday Outing (FSO) on February 7, 2026 at 10 am. This hike is a moderate out and back, first on the natural surface Paw Path from the river access to the paved D&W along the Smith River and Mulberry Creek. Outings and meetings of the Dan River Basin Association are open to the public without charge.
The Smith River Sports Complex (SRSC) is a 90-acre multi-use facility developed by the Southern Virginia Recreation Facilities Authority to serve the community and also boost local tourism and the economy with diverse sports. As well as sports fields, it offers a golfing range, a river access, fishing decks, picnic tables, a festival field with a stage, natural surface trails and a connection to the Dick and Willie Passage Trail (D&W). The SRSC officially merged with Henry County Parks and Recreation in 2023.
Photo provided by Visit Martinsville.
About the Hike:
We will park in the river access area then start our walk on the Paw Path, a natural surface trail that was designed with dogs in mind. It is mostly flat, 0.5 miles long and runs alongside the Smith River. It features many engaging canine activities such as a fire hydrant and a balance beam. Along this path we will pass the Paw Park, a members only, fenced, off-leash dog park offering a natural wooded trail for dogs to explore. Also along the Paw Path we will see a collaborative conservation project by the Martinsville & Garden Study Clubs featuring the trail lined with native plants (over 300 plants from 50 species) to support pollinators, with educational signage, insect hotels, and birdhouses built by students. At the end of the Paw Path we will access the D&W.
About the Dick and Willie Trail:
The D&W is a paved trail winding through the City of Martinsville and Henry County. The original 4.5 mile portion from Virginia Avenue to Mulberry Creek Overlook opened in 2010. Since then 2 additional phases have been added to take the trail from Mulberry Creek Overlook to Spruce Street and from there to the SRSC to make it a total of 10.7 miles long. The portion we will walk will start from the end of the Paw Path, follow the Smith River and Mulberry Creek to the Country Club Drive Trailhead and back. It is mostly flat along the Smith River, then a few short hills as it turns to follow Mulberry Creek. On the D&W you will see a mix of natural beauty - the beautiful Smith River, lush forest scenery, wildlife such as deer, birds, and turtles, wildflowers, benches, and a generally peaceful, paved path perfect for walking, biking, and enjoying the outdoors.
“Since I don’t own a dog, I walk the Paw Path to enjoy the native plants. I also walk this section of the D&W regularly and never tire of the beauty. In most places it is lined with trees making it a perfect temperature for walking, shady in the summertime but sunny in the winter when the leaves are off the trees,” says FSO coordinator, Ellen Jessee.
What to Expect:
Participants should dress in layers, wear hiking shoes or boots, and bring hiking stick(s), lunch, and water. All participants will be required to sign a wavier.
For more information, contact the outings coordinator Ellen Jessee, 276-734-1317, ejessee105@gmail.com
NOTE: If for any reason the event needs to be canceled, visit www.danriver.org by Friday, the day before the outing to determine whether the outing will be held.
DIRECTIONS:
Smith River Sports Complex
1000 Irisburg Road
Axton, VA 24054
GPS: 36.633872, -79.824943
Google Maps
From the east traveling on Rt 58 take the Rt 58/220 Bypass west. From the north, south or west traveling on Rt 220 take the Rt 58/220 Bypass east. From the Bypass take Rt 650 Exit then turn onto Irisburg Road (left turn if coming from east, otherwise right turn).. Go quarter mile to the entrance of the Sports Complex and turn right onto Sportsplex Way. Turn left at the maintenance building and go downhill to park at the river access area. For those who prefer to stay on paved surfaces or have accessibility issues, you may continue straight and park in the paved parking lot near the sports fields and walk on the concrete walks through the complex to join the rest of the group at the D&W where the Paw Path joins the D&W next to the retention pond at the rear of the complex. Note: It will be downhill from the paved parking area to the D&W. There are restrooms in both the river access area and the sports fields area.2 attendees
Past events
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