The River Don in Yorkshire is a 70-mile stretch offering a varied paddling experience, ranging from flat water to grade 1 through grade 3+ whitewater. This diversity makes it suitable for recreational paddlers and whitewater enthusiasts alike, with different sections catering to different skill levels and preferences.

The river is paddleable from Deepcar, flowing down through Oughtibridge before entering the industrial surroundings of Sheffield and Rotherham, where it periodically forms part of a navigation. Below Oughtibridge, the river drops 160 feet over 8 miles to Brightside, a gradient maintained by a series of historic weirs that were originally built to power mills, hammers, and grinding wheels. These weirs remain in place today and represent a significant hazard that paddlers must account for throughout this section. Beyond Rotherham, the river continues through Conisborough and Doncaster, after which it transitions to a flat fenland character with touring potential.

The Sheffield stretch carries an unusual characteristic: the river water is used to cool hot metal in nearby foundries, raising the water temperature enough to support fig trees growing along the banks — a botanical curiosity not typically found in English conditions. The river passes through heavily industrial landscapes for much of its middle course, reflecting the region's long history as a centre of steel and metalworking.

The Don has a documented history of significant flooding. In June 2007, approximately 80 million cubic metres of rain fell on South Yorkshire, causing the river to burst its banks and flood areas from Hillsborough to Meadowhall in Sheffield, with two fatalities. Further flooding occurred in November 2019, affecting villages including Fishlake. Paddlers should be aware that the river can rise rapidly and dangerously in periods of high rainfall.

A Paddle UK (British Canoeing) waterways licence is required to paddle on this river, as it falls within the 4,500km of waterways covered by membership. Membership costs between £29 and £60 per year and is the standard mechanism for obtaining the necessary licence for paddling in England and Wales.