Overview:
Despite being interrupted by several dams, the New River has some of the most stunning scenery of any river in Virginia. From natural arches near Eggleston to the picturesque Foster Falls below New River State Park, the New’s scenery is so spectacular that it merits a visit from folks living anywhere in the state. The New is the only river in Virginia that flows north through the Appalachian mountains, cutting through the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies on its way to West Virginia. The New River has some of the best bass fishing in Virginia, with many deep pools and rocky banks, so if you’re fishing plan on short days that allow plenty of time. A rail trail from near Galax to Pulaski allows campers to enjoy both boating and cycling near New River State Park, which is in the middle of the bike trail.
Recommended Trips:
- (overnight) Buck to Allisonia
- (overnight) Big Falls to Pearisburg or Narrows
- (day trip) Buck/Ivanhoe to New River State Park (full day)
- (day trip) Austinville to New River State Park (1/2 day trip)
- (day trip) New River State Park to Allisonia (full day)
- (day trip) Big Falls to Pembroke (full day)
- (day trip) Eggleston to Pembroke (1/2 day trip or full day fishing)
- (day trip) Pembroke to Pearisburg (1/2 day trip or full day fishing)
Directions to Put ins and Take Outs:
View New River in a larger map
Buck/Ivanhoe: Use Route 94 to get to Ivanhoe; put in off a small gravel road along the river, near a bunch of trailers, then park in a small public gravel lot near the rail line.
Austinville: From I77 take Route 69 west (Poplar Camp exit) to a public put in at the bridge in Austinville
Jackson Ferry: There is a public putin at Jackson Ferry, where Rt 52 crosses the New just east of I77.
New River State Park: Take the Poplar Camp exit from I77; head north on Route 52, then northeast on Route 608 to the park, where there is a boat launch.
Allisonia: Allisonia is a put in that is only accessible from the south side of the river. It can be accessed via Poplar Camp exit/Rout 52/Route 607/Route 693 from I77, or from the Pulaski exit off I81 (go south on Rt 672/Baptist Hollow, then turn right on Rt 693/Lead Mine)
Whitethorne: From Route 652 near Blacksburg take Route 623/Whitethorne to the end of the road. This public put in is not accessible from the west side of the river; there is no bridge.
Big Falls: To put in above Big Falls it is possible to put in along Route 600 on the west side of the river or along Route 625 on the east side of the river. Use Route 600 if you don’t mind a rather circuitous shuttle and if you want to run the little ledges above Big Falls and get a great view of the pass as the river approaches it. Use Route 625 at lower water levels (the ledges above Big Falls tend to be very shallow) or if you wish to avoid a more roundabout shuttle. From Route 625 it is possible to put in either directly above or directly below the falls.
Pembroke: There is a paved boat ramp on the east side of the river off Route 623 in Pembroke, less than a mile from Route 460.
Pearisburg: The public boat ramp is directly beneath Route 460 on the south side of the river. From Route 460 turn east/north on Thomas Drive just before crossing the river. Follow Thomas Drive as it winds around for a few hundred yards, then turn right on Tannery Road when you’re directly under the Route 460 bridge. Cross the railroad tracks and follow the gravel road to the put in. Although this is a public put in there are no signs for it on either Route 460, Route 100, or Thomas Drive.
Sections of River to Run:
Buck/Ivanhoe to Austinville: Except for the trailers in Ivanhoe this is a scenic stretch of river with only small rapids.
Austinville to New River State Park: This stretch of the New is placid except for a class 2 rapid just upstream of the New River State Park. If you’re planning on taking out at the State Park, be sure to get over to river right quickly after the rapid. There are cheap campsites at New River State Park, both on the bank and on Bakers Island, a beautiful island just above Fosters Falls. Bakers Island may have the best campsites of any State Park in Virginia, but you’ll need a boat to reach them.
New River State Park to Allisonia: Immediately after putting in at New River State Park the canoeist will need to navigate Fosters Falls, a class 2 series of drops several feet high that can be tricky. At lower water levels start down the falls on river left, making your way to the right, following the main current. At higher water levels it would not be necessary to make this diagonal maneuver. Fosters Falls is by far the largest rapid on this stretch, and the river becomes more placid until it backs up in Claytor Lake just before the Allisonia take out. Running from the State Park to Allisonia will probably take most of the day.
Whitethorne to Big Falls: Putting in at Whitethorne is not recommended for canoes because there are several miles of flatwater populated with motorboats before the New starts its descent to Big Falls; for those wishing to run Big Falls, it is preferable to put in from the roadside of Routes 600 (west side of river) or 625 (east side of river). There are outstanding views of the pass for the mile or so above Big Falls.
Big Falls to Eggleston: Big Falls is a class 2 drop, and by far the largest between Whitethorne and Pearisburg. It can be run easily by starting on river right and following the current toward the middle of the river, avoiding any precipitous drops. Or one can run over a more abrupt double ledge center left. I would recommend scouting your route, because not all of them are clean and it is hard to see down them from upriver. Campers should run river right if they wish to avoid flipping or taking much water. Below Big Falls the New maintains good velocity most of the way to Eggleston, passing through a beautiful gorge. There is roadside camping on river right near Route 625, which is very convenient for folks arriving at night to start a trip the next day. Fishing in this section is fantastic, though you’ll have plenty of competition.
Eggleston to Pembroke: After the river makes a big bend to the right, look to your left where a combination of spires, cliffs, caves, and a natural arch make for one of the prettiest rock formations on the river. This formation is less than a mile downstream of the Eggleston bridge. Downstream cliffs line the river, which makes several deep bends as it progresses to Pearisburg. There are very deep pools and rocky shelter along the river’s outer bends for fishing. The only negative aspect of this stretch of river are some hideous homes on river right just before Pembroke. There are plenty of campsites along this stretch of river. None of the rapids are more than a riffle or small wave train.
Pembroke to Pearisburg: There are two islands shortly below Pembroke; the second has superb campsites on both sides of the island, about halfway between the ends of the island. A couple miles below the island the river passes under a bridge for Route 460, and the wonderful scenery continues on the other side. There is one large wave train about three miles above Pearisburg, with waves that can be two to three feet high even at relatively low water. The rapid is not technical; just be ready to get wet. There is a big island just upstream of Pearisburg, the tip of which is visible from the takeout. Great fishing continues throughout this stretch; dedicated fishermen could easily spend two days going the 10 miles or so between Pembroke and Pearisburg.
