The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is completing construction of a new boating access area at Draper Landing in Eden, Rockingham County. The project is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.
“This will be a great addition to our rivers and provide a great opportunity for the citizens and visitors to get outdoors,” said Eden Parks & Recreation Director Ray Thomas.
The site originally contained a small parking lot and stair access to the river, courtesy of the City of Eden. NCWRC has increased the size of the parking area to create more parking spaces and accommodate vehicles with trailers. It will include two parking spaces for people with disabilities and access to the top of the ramp.
“This has been an excellent partnership with the City of Eden to increase public access to the Dan River for the public and public safety,” said Facility Construction Engineer Steven Bailey.
City officials contacted NCWRC about building a boat ramp at the Draper Landing site following a 2021 drowning incident. The new boating access area is near the location where five people died in 2021 while tubing on the Dan River at the low head dam located about 2 1/2 miles upstream. The dam is operated by Duke Energy as part of a power generation facility. There are no public boat ramps on this stretch of the Dan River, below the Duke Energy dam, until Danville, Va. The ramp in Danville is about 21 miles by river below the Draper Landing site. A ramp allows better access for rescue vessels to launch in this area, improving response time.
NCWRC has provided design services and permitting and is constructing the boat ramp. The City of Eden provided the lease for the site and will maintain it once it opens.
NCWRC provides 250 free boating access areas to over 100 different bodies of water. Visit us online to review the boating access areas.