Trails
Paddle
Bear Creek Paddle Trail
Dover Road to Dan Road Map
Distance: 1.8 miles
Rating: Class I and II Whitewater. Experience Required
This section can be paddled at levels of 1.5 ft or higher, as indicated by the Hwy 705 gauge. This section contains up to Class II+ whitewater. At good water levels, this is the best whitewater on Bear Creek. The Dover Rd. put-in is on private property. If using this put-in, please be respectful and ask permission if that’s possible.
Dan Road to Brown’s Mill Road Map
Distance: 1.9 miles
Rating: Class I and II Whitewater. Experience Required
This section starts with some easy Class I rapids and ends with approximately 1 mile of flatwater behind the Brown’s Mill Dam.
Brown’s Mill Road to Highway 705 Access Map
Distance: 5 miles
Rating: Class I and II Whitewater. Experience Required
This section can be paddled at levels of 1.5 ft or higher, as indicated by the Hwy 705 gauge. At 3.9 miles you will need to portage a dam. Take out at the concrete spillway above the dam, portage down the road .1 miles and put in below the dam on the right
Highway 705 Access to Carter’s Mill and return Map
Distance: 3.6 miles
Rating: Flatwater
Paddle downstream 1.8miles to the old Carter’s Mill dam and return to the Hwy 705 access.
Highway 705 Access to Reynold’s Mill Road Access
Distance: 3.7 miles
Rating: Flatwater
1.8miles downstream is the old Carter’s Mill dam. Portage the dam on the left.
Reynold’s Mill Road Access to Carter’s Mill and return Map
Distance: 3.6 miles
Rating: Flatwater
Paddle upstream to Carter’s Mill (1.8 miles). This section can be paddled year round.
You can extend this trip by paddling .25 miles downstream from the Reynold’s Mill Access to Reynold’s Mill Dam. Here you will find the remains of Reynold’s Mill.
Pine Grove Church Road Access to Spies Road Access Map
Distance: 7 miles
Rating: Class I and II whitewater
This section can be paddled when the Hwy 705 gauge is above 1 foot. Paddle upstream. There was extensive gold mining in this area in the 1800s.
Spies Road Access to Bear Creek Highway 705 Access Map
Distance: 2.3 miles
Rating: mostly flatwater except for the Class II Gunworks rapid on Bear Creek
This section includes a portage around a dam at about mile 1.2. At the dam, Cabin Creek intersects with Bear Creek. Portage the dam on the right .1 miles down the road and put in below the dam on the right on Bear Creek. This is not a take-out point.
Biking
Pottery Loop
For map, click here:
Parking available in the Fidelity Bank Parking Lot located on the corner of Middleton St. and Salisbury St. in Robbins.
Pottery Loop Directions:
West on Middleton St.
Straight at the light on North Moore Rd, Mile 0.2
Left on Reynold’s Mill Rd, Mile 2.8
Turn right (Still on Reynold’s Mill Rd), Mile 4.3
Continue straight at intersection on Cedar Hill Rd, Mile 6.0
Continue straight at intersection on Busbee Rd. Mile 8.8
Turn Right on HWY 705 (turn left on Hwy 705 for rest area), Mile 12.0
Left on Dover Church Rd., Mile 12.3
Left on Dan Rd., Mile 14.4
Right on Bascom Chapel Rd., Mile 16.8
Left on Spies Rd. Mile 18.0
Left on Talc Mine Rd., Mile 22.1
END AT STOP LIGHT
23.6 MILES
Hiking
Bear Creek Trail begins at the end of Water Plant Rd. in Robbins. This 0.6 mile loop takes you along Bear Creek and provides access for fishing, picnics, or bird watching.
Soon to open: The Reservoir Loop
For a map to the trailhead, click here:
