Overview:
The South Fork flows from Port Republic on the east side of the Valley south of Massanutten to Front Royal, where it joins the North Fork of the Shenandoah. Although marred by several dams, this part of the Shenandoah Valley is stunningly beautiful, and the river’s deep serpentine bends give the canoeist full views of Massanutten and the Blue Ridge. There is plenty of good camping and a few towns along the way to restock food or equipment. There are no large rapids at normal water levels, although some big waves can form in some at high water. The northern portions of the South Fork are navigable all year except in droughts.
Recommended Trips:
- (3 day): Port Republic to Shenandoah
- (2 day): Port Republic to Elkton
- (day trip): Port Republic to Island Ford
- (day trip): Elkton to Shenandoah
- (2 or 3 day): Rt 675 (Bixler’s Ferry) to Bentonville or Andy Guest State Park. A three day trip would be very leisurely, good for fisherman. Two days is adequate for folks who paddle at least some of the time.
- (day trip): Rt 675 to Rt 684
- (day trip): Newport to 211
Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs:
View South Fork Shenandoah in a larger map
Port Republic: There is a public canoe put in with ample parking at the Route 659 bridge over the South River, approximately ¼ mile upstream of the South River’s confluence with the combined Middle/North Rivers.
Island Ford: There is a public canoe put in at the Rt 649 bridge over the South Fork just west of Rt 340.
Elkton: There is a public put in on the east side of the river adjacent to the Business Rt 33 bridge in the town of Elkton. Business Rt 33 runs parallel to the four lane Rt 33 through the town.
Shenandoah: Canoeists can put in and take out on the east side of the river near the Rt 602/East Point Rd bridge, directly above or below the dam. The dam is immediately below the bridge; folks taking out will take out above the bridge. Folks putting in will need to carry their boats approximately 50 yards downstream. This access is public.
Newport: Put in at DGIF launch site on the east side of 340. This is just north of the Campground and store at Newport.
Honeyville: There is a public canoe put in on the east side of the river adjacent to the Business Rt 340 bridge.
Rt 211: There is a public canoe put in off Rt 646, which crosses under the four lane Rt 211 bridge on the east side of the river.
Rt 675: The public boat ramp is located on the west side of the river, just downstream of the Rt 675 bridge.
Rt 684: A public boat ramp is located on the outside of a westward bend in the river 8 miles downstream of Rt 675, before the Goods Mill area. There is no bridge at this ramp so be careful not to miss it if using it as a take out.
Bentonville: The one lane Rt 613 bridge has an adjacent public boat ramp.
Andy Guest State Park: This new state park has a pubic boat launch; a small fee is necessary to enter the park, and be careful not to arrive too late because the gate at the front of the park, some 2 miles from the ramp, may be locked. There is a large sign for the state park along Rt 340 between Bentonville and Karo.
Sections of River to Run:
Port Republic to Island Ford: The South Fork is more like a medium sized mountain river south of Massanutten, and flows relatively swiftly over cobble bars. This section of river has extraordinary views of both Massanutten and the Rocky Top/Brown Mountain area of Shenandoah National Park. Full views of the Blue Ridge are visible when the river goes around bends to the east. This 12 mile stretch of river is a good day trip or start of an overnight trip, and has several camping possibilities along the banks.
Island Ford to Elkton: The South Fork continues to have good views along this 8 mile stretch of river, but is less remote with Route 642 paralleling the right bank for much of the trip. Small riffles and cobble bars are the only rapids.
Elkton to Shenandoah: Although the paddler must negotiate a couple miles of backwater at the end of this trip, it is a very pretty stretch of river with outstanding views of both Massanutten and the Blue Ridge. At only 7 miles, this is a short day trip. Paddlers passing through Shenandoah should portage the dam on river right, along a marked path.
Shenandoah to Newport: Due to the dam and power plant near Newport, approximately 15 miles through the trip, canoeists putting in at Shenandoah should consider taking out on river right along Rt 650, shortly downstream of the first Rt 340 bridge. Otherwise it will be necessary to paddle across a couple miles of backwater and then portage on river right to get around the dam. There are no significant rapids on this stretch.
Newport to Honeyville: This is a short beautiful stretch. One of the most popular day trips, Newport to 211 has a gradient of 8 feet per mile, the highest of any section of this river. One also does not have to worry about any dams.
Honeyville to Rt 211: This 6 mile trip is a beautiful half day trip. Unfortunately, with dams upstream and downstream of it, it is not recommended as part of a longer trip. There is a large island approximately 1 mile upstream of the Rt 646/Rt 211 takeout. With no adjacent roads, this is a fairly remote stretch of river with only riffles and cobble bars for rapids.
Rt 211 to Rt 675: This 8 mile stretch of river is not recommended because of the large dam approximately 5 miles into the trip. The dam backs up roughly 2 to 3 miles of slackwater, which is very unpleasant to paddle because of headwinds and unsightly houses on the left bank. The dam does not have a convenient portage, but it can be portaged on river left. The remaining 3 miles or so below the dam are very pretty, with swift moving water, islands, and cobble bars.
Rt 675 to Rt 684: This beautiful 8 mile trip is an excellent day trip, with attractive riffles and mountain views. Be careful not to miss the Rt 684 take out, a concrete boat ramp on river left. There is a river-wide ledge approximately halfway through the trip that should be run on the left at lower water. Novices should take care not to swamp on this two foot drop. All other rapids are small cobble bars and ledges.
Rt 684 to Bentonville: This 21 mile stretch of river is probably the most scenic and exciting on the South Fork. There are ample camping opportunities both at private campgrounds (High Cliff, Hazard Mill) and along un-posted riverbanks. With numerous small ledges as well as Comptons Rapid, this stretch of river moves more quickly and has more rapids than any other on the South Fork. Paddlers will arrive at Comptons Rapid roughly 10 or 11 miles into the trip, at a sharp leftward bend in the river where a high railway trestle is visible on the right. Although not technical, Comptons should be treated with caution because the river is constricted and because canoeists will not be able to see the size of the waves until they are committed to running the rapid. During the spring, waves in Comptons Rapid can easily reach three feet in height and swamp open boats. Canoeists should proceed down the left or right side of the rapid, avoiding the largest waves in the middle and be prepared to take out on either the left or right bank before being swept downstream toward a high cliff. Canoeists who swamp and are not able to take out quickly may have difficulty getting back to shore, as the river widens dramatically and the main current flows against a very high, steep rock cliff downstream. There is a good campsite on river left after Comptons, which can be helpful for folks who swamp and need to dry out their gear. Comptons is by far the largest rapid on this stretch of river. It can be portaged on the right.
Bentonville to Andy Guest State Park: It is only a few miles from Bentonville down to Andy Guest State Park. Scenery is great; this could be used as a short day trip for folks camping at the state park.
