Overview:
The Buffalo River flows off the Blue Ridge Mountains in Amherst County, then flows into the Tye River in Nelson County. It has a scenic, largely undeveloped watershed, and holds water surprisingly well. The lower Buffalo is extremely remote, and has attractive rock gardens and nearby hillsides similar to the Rockfish or lower Tye.
Recommended Trips:
(Daytrip): Boxwood Farm Road/Rt 739 to Piedmont
Direction to Put in and Take Out:
View Buffalo River in a larger map
Boxwood Farm Road/Rt 739: From north of the Buffalo River, take Toytown Road from Route 29 to Boxwood Farm Road. From south of the river, take Boxwood Farm Road/Rt 739 straight to the river. There is roadside parking along Rt 739, though the put in by the road is a bit steep.
Piedmont: Park roadside on the north side of the river in front of a small house, near a barn, and leave a note on your car. It would probably be a good idea to ask permission to drag the boat through their field for the take out if they’re home.
Sections of River to Run:
Boxwood Farm Road to Piedmont: This is a class I section of river with attractive rock gardens and some steep forested hillsides. Only one house is visible in this very remote area of Amherst County. The riverbed is generally sand with some rocky sections. There are no hazards except a dam shortly upstream of Piedmont. This dam should be portaged on the right, but take care to avoid a strainer-choked intake on the right side at the dam, which is a deathtrap. The two or three miles above the dam is quite slow with backed up water. This section has enough water if the riffle below Route 739 is navigable, generally corresponding to approximately 60 cfs or more for the Tye River gauge located near Lovingston.
