Overview:
The Newfound has a wonderful rapid just upstream of Rt 685, Rocketts Mill Road. Be discrete carrying upriver and putting in; the land on river right is posted. This rapid needs quite a bit of rain to get flowing, but once it does it is worth a run. Be prepared to swamp, as you may take a lot of water. Below this rapid the river is mostly flat with two notable solid class 2 rapids. There are lots of strainers in this river.
Recommended Trip:
(daytrip) Rocketts Mill Road to Blunts Bridge Road: Put in upstream of Rocketts Mill to run the fall line rapid. This trip only takes 2 or 3 hours.
Directions to Put In and Take Out:
View Newfound River in a larger map
This stretch is located in a relatively remote part of Hanover. To get to the Put in, take Scotchtown/Rocketts Mill (both are Rt 685) north from 54 or take Rocketts Mill south from Old Ridge Road, which intersects Rt 1. To get to the take out from Ashland, take 54 west, then right on Independence, then left on Blunts Bridge. From Old Ridge just head south on Blunts Bridge.
Sections of River to Run:
Rocketts Mill to Blunts Bridge:This area is very remote and scenic, as of yet untouched by sprawl, so appreciate it while you can. The Hanover Board recently voted to expand the areas in the county where sprawl can be built, which will probably include areas near the end of the run adjacent to the Rt 1/I95 corridor. Other than the initial rapid the water is pretty flat with two sold class 2 rapids. There are also numerous strainers.
Blunts Bridge to South Anna confluence/Rt 1: This is entirely flat water, very narrow, fairly pretty, with relatively low banks. The Newfound joins the South Anna shortly before Rt 1. Be sure to take out on river right before you go over the dam on the South Anna. There is a dirt road which is a nice unofficial take out to the west of Rt 1, on the river’s south bank.
