Virginia | Alleghany County / Iron Gate area
Cowpasture RiverSharon Park River Access to Evans Tract Access
A 4.5-mile Class I–II Cowpasture River Blueway float from the public Sharon Park access to the public Evans Tract access. The Blueway describes clear water, steady current, rural farm scenery, and a 200–1,400 cfs Section 4 operating band tied to USGS 02016000.
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A public 4.5-mile Cowpasture River Blueway float with direct 02016000 telemetry, a 200–1,400 cfs Section 4 band, Class I–II current, high rain sensitivity, rural private-bank boundaries, and two named public shoreline accesses.
Access map
Put-in
Sharon Park Cowpasture River AccessThe Blueway Section 4 map identifies Sharon Park and Evans Tract as public shoreline accesses. Treat the coordinates as access-area anchors, confirm the waterline carry and parking on arrival, and do not use bridge shoulders or private farm lanes.
Take-out
Evans Tract Cowpasture River AccessSharon Park is at 4017 Nicelytown Road; Evans Tract is at 4697 McKinney Hollow Road. Confirm road, gate, parking, and seasonal access conditions before relying on either endpoint.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The Blueway Section 4 map identifies Sharon Park and Evans Tract as public shoreline accesses. Treat the coordinates as access-area anchors, confirm the waterline carry and parking on arrival, and do not use bridge shoulders or private farm lanes.
- Sharon Park is at 4017 Nicelytown Road; Evans Tract is at 4697 McKinney Hollow Road. Confirm road, gate, parking, and seasonal access conditions before relying on either endpoint.
- The Cowpasture can become shallow in dry periods and fast after storms. Recheck the gauge and weather immediately before launch and postpone if the access or channel is not safe for the crew.
Watch for
- USGS 02016000 below 200 cfs or above 1,400 cfs
- rapid rain-driven rise, shallow cobble, exposed rocks/logs, and Class I–II rapids
- cold water, strainers, bridge/farm crossings, and limited recovery
- private farm boundaries, gates, parking changes, and unauthorized shoreline stops
- missed Evans Tract take-out
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
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River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
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Gauge
Recent trend
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Score & sources
Why this score
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 200 cfs to 1,400 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,400 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Alleghany Highlands Blueway Cowpasture Section passable range |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Named public corridorSharon Park to Evans Tract; 4.5 miles; Class I–II Cowpasture float
Alleghany Highlands Blueway publishes the suggested float, its two-hour duration, rural-farm character, and the public endpoint facilities.
- Direct gauge and operating bandUSGS 02016000; 200–1,400 cfs Cowpasture passable range
The Blueway ties the Cowpasture range to flow guidance and warns that dry conditions expose shallow rocks/logs while higher water increases current and rapids.
- Endpoint coordinates and hazardsSharon Park 37.8184167, -79.7408556; Evans Tract 37.7939, -79.7583
The current Blueway Section 4 map supplies both public shoreline-access coordinates and the rural private-farm setting.
- Camping postureNearby basecamp / separately verified primitive camping only
The Blueway mentions primitive camping along portions of the Cowpasture but does not establish a specific campsite at these endpoints; do not infer a right to camp on private farms or at the accesses.
- Duplicate separationDistinct Cowpasture Section 4 reach, separate from Jackson River Blueway routes
This route uses the Cowpasture channel, 02016000 telemetry, Sharon/Evans endpoints, and a separate Blueway section; it is not a duplicate of either Jackson River section.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Reports
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Quick answers
Cowpasture River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Sharon Park River Access to Evans Tract Access route on the Cowpasture River?
Paddle Today watches Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge, VA and treats 200 cfs to 1,400 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Sharon Park River Access to Evans Tract Access route on the Cowpasture River start and end?
This route starts at Sharon Park Cowpasture River Access and ends at Evans Tract Cowpasture River Access, approximately 4.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Sharon Park River Access to Evans Tract Access route on the Cowpasture River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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