Madison River Park

Madison River Park Lindsey Bridge Dam was constructed in late 1960s for purpose of pooling water for the Town of Madison and is the Town's main water intake.

Madison River Park at the Dan River off Lindsey Bridge Road is a destination location in your back yard with options for paddling, canoes, kayaks, fishing, tubing and much more. In 2017, the Town discovered that the dam was in structural disrepair and at extreme risk of failure if not repaired soon with failure ceasing the Town's ability to provide necessary water to the township, businesses, coun

ty and future growth demands. The estimated cost to fully replace the Dam was approximately 8 million dollars and totally exceeded out budget capability. About the same time, it was also discovered that an endangered species, known as the Roanoke Logperch was disappearing from our area due to the dam. The Logperch swims upstream and was unable to "jump" our dam to continue their journey. Following these discoveries, collaborative efforts were fast paced between the Town of Madison, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Dan River Basin Association, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Kris Bass Engineering, LKC Engineering, The Conservation Fund, Duke Energy and Rockingham County Education Foundation to protect the Town's water intake and the Roanoke Logperch. With this, Madison River Park was created to secure current and future water supply demands for Madison, restore erosion below the Dam, remove a barrier to open more than 50 miles of river habitat for an endangered species and create a waterpark for variety of recreational purposes including paddling sports, fishing, and tubing.

***Attention - IMPORTANT INFORMATION***The Town is currently in the process of creating the Madison River Park Downtown ...
04/02/2026

***Attention - IMPORTANT INFORMATION***

The Town is currently in the process of creating the Madison River Park Downtown which will include new parking areas, walking trails, beach area, etc. The new park also includes a much needed renovation of the take out for tubers and others needing to exit the river safely.

**Please be advised that the old steps at the take out point have been completely removed in order to install new steps for a more efficient and safe exit from the river. Basically, this means if you put in at the Madison River Park there is no designated exit point or take out under the Hwy 704 Bridge at this time. The contractor performing the work has advised that new steps will be installed in less than 6 weeks, just in time for Memorial Day or what most outfitters consider "tubing season."

We can not stress this enough - SAFETY IS THE TOP PRIORITY. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO FORGO TUBING, KAYAKING, CANOEING AND THE LIKE UNTIL NEW STEPS ARE INSTALLED AT THE TAKE OUT POINT UNDER HWY 704.

Please stay safe while enjoying the river!!

11/24/2025

The Madison River Park will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, for an emergency services training exercise. It is anticipated the park will reopen at 1:00pm.

07/31/2025

Sorry for the delay but the River Park is OPEN

07/30/2025

The River Park is closed due to high water levels.

07/21/2025

Due to an emergency, the River Park has been closed for the remainder of Today. It will reopen in the morning pending water levels from afternoon storms.

07/17/2025

The River Park is still closed due to high water levels. We will advise as soon as we reopen.

07/16/2025

Due to high water levels, the River Park is Closed today. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Happy Friday, RIVER ACCESS OPEN!!!!!!!! There is still a small amount debris remaining and we are unsure if NCDOT will b...
06/13/2025

Happy Friday, RIVER ACCESS OPEN!!!!!!!!

There is still a small amount debris remaining and we are unsure if NCDOT will be able to remove. NCDOT informed that a sandbar developed from flooding and most of the debris is buried in the sand and what is sticking out is partially buried. They have done alot and we are extremely thankful.

Please BE SAFE and aware of surroundings. Remember, you enter the river at your own risk and we have no control on how the river changes and moves. The Town does not own the River, it is a natural waterway. We encourage tubers to be extra cautious and stay away from the brush.

Have fun and Stay safe!

Well, high hopes just got destroyed 😕. The debris is still there and NCDOT is gone for the day. We are so sorry and a...
06/06/2025

Well, high hopes just got destroyed 😕. The debris is still there and NCDOT is gone for the day. We are so sorry and as frustrated as you are but the access has to remain closed. Please understand our hands are tied with the debris as we have no jurisdiction in the river and NCDOT is working as hard as possible. We hate to keep the access closed but can not risk opening with this safety issue. As always, SAFETY FIRST. We will update with progress, hopefully soon.

We are so close!!!! NCDOT was at the park yesterday and back today working to clear the remaining debris. This is the ...
06/06/2025

We are so close!!!! NCDOT was at the park yesterday and back today working to clear the remaining debris. This is the bad part and there are 6-8 guys in the river and on top of the debris with chainsaws, shovels, rakes, anything they can use to break this down. We checked around 1pm and there are logs tangled in this mess 18-24" in diameter - that is an estimate from the bank, the logs may be larger.

Plans are to return to the park between 5-6pm today to make a determination if access will open tomorrow. These guys are trying as hard as they can, its a dense pile. Will advise of opening as soon as possible.

Photos courtesy of Messenger of Madison Mayodan

06/02/2025

Due to last week's rains, NCDOT was unable to get into the River to complete clean-up as they cannot work when river levels are elevated.

Sent email to NCDOT first thing this morning and was advised as follows: "They will be there Thursday, June 5th, as long as nothing happens." So, fingers crossed and maybe toes too that nothing happens.

We are so ready to get this finished up so everyone can enjoy the river safely. Will update again as soon as we can!!!!!!

Update on Madison River Park AccessWe know that everyone is anxious to get back on the river for kayaking, tubing, paddl...
05/23/2025

Update on Madison River Park Access

We know that everyone is anxious to get back on the river for kayaking, tubing, paddling and enjoyment as we have received numerous, calls, messages and IMs. As most of you know the River Park was completed flooded from torrential rain and storms the week before Hurricane Helene hit WNC. Once waters receded, the river was littered with debris, branches, sticks and logs that stacked almost as high as the bridge, completely blocking two piers and partially blocking another pier. The Town of Madison does not own the River nor the Bridge and reached out to NCDOT for debris removal. We understood that this was not a priority considering the issues facing WNC in the wake of Helene but were advised that work would begin end of October. NCDOT has worked diligently to remove this massive amount of debris but unfortunately, the Dan River is not the only location Bridge Maintenance crews are needed therefore slowing the process to assist at other locations.

The Town has reached out to NCDOT many, many and many more times to the point that they're probably tired of hearing from us on removing this debris. NCDOT has work as fast and as hard as they can to complete this project while competing with the weather and also working on other pressing projects. We appreciate everything NCDOT has done for Madison and our Community. Only a small portion of the debris remains but contains a large log that is wedged between 2 piers that most likely will have to be removed by hand as they have already broken numerous chains trying to pull it out. NCDOT advised this morning that Bridge Maintenance crews will be on site May 27, 2025 to finish debris removal and clean up in the River.

With this, the River Park Access will remain closed until all debris is removed. The Town cannot in good conscience open the access knowing this hazard exist. With the currents and pulls of the river, we cannot risk someone getting caught or tangled in the debris. We understand that many will not like this decision as you have waited patiently for reopening and are likely aggravated by now - we feel your pain but our #1 PRIORITY IS SAFETY!!!!!

We will advise as soon as the access is open. Thanks for patience and understanding. Safety First!!!!!!!!!!!

Address

Lindsey Bridge River Access
Madison, NC
27025

Telephone

+13364270221

Website

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