Overview:
The North and South Forks of the Shenandoah converge in Front Royal. From Front Royal the Shenandoah flows over 50 miles north by northwest to Harpers Ferry, where it joins the Potomac. From the first put in at Morgans Ford, one can paddle approximately 42 miles of free flowing river to Rt 9. There is a dam at Milville, a few miles above Bull Falls, the Rt 340 bridge, and the Potomac. From Front Royal to the Potomac the river is broad and generally shallow, with views of the Blue Ridge. There are many beautiful miles along the Shenandoah, despite a little sprawl in Warren and Jefferson Counties. The most beautiful stretch of river is from Morgans Ford to Rt 7, and can be run by canoeists with any level of experience, as there are no significant rapids. There are good campsites the whole way except below Milville and from about 7 miles above Rt 9 to Rt 9.
Recommended Trips:
- (3 day) Morgans Ford to Rt 9. This is a leisurely three day, 42 mile or so float. Light paddling is necessary in the occasional flat, non-moving sections of river.
- (2 day) Morgans Ford to Rt 7. This would be a full two day, 27 mile float.
- (1 day) Morgans Ford to Rt 50. Put in early for this 15 mile trip.
- (1 day) Rt 50 to Rt 7. This scenic trip is roughly 12 miles.
- (1 day) Milville to Potomac Rt 340 bridge. 7 miles, most of the day.
Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs:
View Shenandoah River in a larger map
Morgans Ford: From Front Royal, take Happy Creek Road east until it turns north and turns into Morgans Ford, Rt 624. From the DC area, take I66 west, exit at Linden, turn left from the exit ramp, turn right on Rt 55, and make an immediate right onto Dismal Hollow Rd. From Dismal Hollow Road, turn right on Happy Creek/Rt 624. Note that this public boat landing is at a low water bridge, so do not plan on driving across it if there has been a good deal of rain in the winter or spring. The takeout is on the east bank.
Rt 50: On west side of the river, turn north onto Rt 622, which curves around to a public boat landing directly underneath the Rt 50 bridge.
Rt 7: Turn south on Rt 606 on east side of river and take the first right onto an unmarked gravel road to the public boat landing.
Rt 9: Turn south onto County Road 9/8 on the east bank of the river; the public takeout is directly under the Rt 9 bridge along CR 9/8.
Milville: There are multiple spots to put in along County Road 27 near Milville. CR 27 runs between Rt 9 and Rt 340. The public boat landing is just below the dam; to avoid a long, flat, stretch with ugly houses on river right, put in farther down along CR 27.
Sections of River to Run:
Morgans Ford to Rt 50: This is a very scenic section of river with good views of the Blue Ridge and plenty of good camping, the archetypal Virginia river. The current’s velocity is moderate. There are only a few good fishing holes. Rapids are negligible.
Rt 50 to Rt 7: Clarke County’s outstanding land use policies have protected this section of river, resulting in a beautiful trip with unspoiled riparian buffers and gorgeous mountain views. There are a few more fishing holes in this stretch than just upstream. There are plenty of campsites. Each fall the Clarke County Watermelon Festival, which has bluegrass, takes place on the riverbank near Lockes Landing, about 2/3 of the way through this trip. There are no significant rapids.
Rt 7 to Rt 9: This 15 mile stretch is similar to upstream sections except that there are some ugly riverside houses near Rt 9, and very limited camping in the last half to third of the trip. Although still quite pretty, this is the least attractive third of the stretch from Morgans Ford to Rt 9. There are no significant rapids.
Rt 9 to Milville: I would not recommend running this stretch because it necessitates portaging a dam.
Milville to Potomac: This is a spectacular day trip that includes running Bull Falls, a class 2 to 3 rapid with several possible lines. Bull Falls marks the end of the flat stretch on which one puts in. Scout Bull Falls from a rock to the right of the falls. The simplest line is center right. Be aware that this hole can easily swamp a canoe at middle to high water levels, with underwater pinning rocks downstream. I would recommend using some floatation if running this stretch at anything but low, late summer levels, in order to avoid the risk of losing a boat. The rapid is not tricky, but you will probably take a lot of water. Below Bull Falls the rapids are smaller all the way to the Potomac, with some pretty ledges downstream of where Rt 340 crosses the Shenandoah. You can take out at the Rt 340 bridge on either side (parking is limited in both cases), or at Brunswick. The Rt 340 bridge below Harpers Ferry is the best day trip takeout. I recommend taking out on river left at Sandy Hook, right under the bridge. Be aware that there is one final rapid before the Rt 340 bridge, a long wave train on river left. The waves can be high enough to put a good deal of water into a canoe at medium water levels. The rapid is fairly straightforward; just keep the boat straight. Enter on river left. This rapid is not visible when you first approach the last line of rocks before Rt 340, so you’ll need to make your way left unless you want to run one of the smaller slots, which is only possible at medium to high water levels.
