A Little History

The concept and drive behind the Haw River Trail are the product of the vision and hard work of local citizens, organizations and governments dating back more than a decade. Funding from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation to Elon University, with match provided by Alamance County, City of Burlington and City of Graham, supported the establishment of the first Haw River Trail Coordinator position. With the sponsorship of the Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Elon University, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by 12 governmental agencies agreeing to support and collaborate to promote conservation and recreation in the Haw River corridor. Partnership agencies operate and manage the trail system, with each agency responsible for operation and management of parks, paddle accesses, and trails on the land it owns.

In June of 2023, this became a state designated trail from Haw River State Park to Jordan Lake. This has made available new funding opportunities that are exclusive to state trails. The current paddle route extends from Rockingham County down to Jordan Lake. Hiking opportunities are underway and available throughout the river corridor.