See all 2 routes on Jackson River
Virginia | Covington / Alleghany County
Jackson RiverFort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park
A 3.9-mile Class I Jackson River Blueway float from the public Fort Young boat ramp through Covington to the public Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park ramp. The Blueway describes a mild float with several Class I rapids and publishes a 500–1,900 cfs Section 3 operating band tied to the Jackson River gauge.
Checking current river conditions…
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
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
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A public 3.9-mile Jackson River Blueway float with direct Gathright telemetry, a 500–1,900 cfs Section 3 operating band, Class I rapids, cold-water/release hazards, private-bank restrictions, and two named city ramps.
Access map
Put-in
Fort Young Park Jackson River Boat RampThe Blueway Section 3 map supplies Fort Young Park and Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park as public boat ramps with coordinates. Confirm current parking and the wetted-edge carry on arrival; do not substitute bridge shoulders or retail-bank access.
Take-out
Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park Jackson River RampThe route begins behind the Covington commercial area and enters a quieter reach downstream. Respect private-property shorelines and remain in the channel except at named public ramps.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- The Blueway Section 3 map supplies Fort Young Park and Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park as public boat ramps with coordinates. Confirm current parking and the wetted-edge carry on arrival; do not substitute bridge shoulders or retail-bank access.
- The route begins behind the Covington commercial area and enters a quieter reach downstream. Respect private-property shorelines and remain in the channel except at named public ramps.
- Gathright release timing and pulse notices can override an otherwise acceptable gauge number. Recheck the USACE release page and local Blueway conditions immediately before launch.
Watch for
- USGS 02011800 below 500 cfs or above 1,900 cfs
- Gathright Dam release or pulse changes
- cold water and rapid current
- Class I rapids, rocks, wood, and bridge features
- private-property/no-stop shorelines
- missed Teddy J. Dressler take-out
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
Browser plans stay on this device. Sharing opens your device’s share tools or gives you text to copy.
Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check how the river is changing and what weather to expect.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Jackson River below Gathright Dam near Hot Springs, VA. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampWeather
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Jackson River below Gathright Dam near Hot Springs, 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 |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 500 cfs to 1,900 cfs |
| Low threshold | 500 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,900 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Alleghany Highlands Blueway Section 3 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 corridorFort Young to Teddy Dressler; 3.9 miles; mild Class I float
Alleghany Highlands Blueway publishes the suggested float, its two-hour duration, Class I character, and the public endpoint facilities.
- Direct gauge and operating bandUSGS 02011800; 500–1,900 cfs Section 3 passable range
The Blueway ties the Section 3 range to Jackson River flow guidance and warns about higher current/rapids and lower-water rocks/logs.
- Endpoint coordinates and hazardsFort Young 37.7779722, -79.9894833; Teddy Dressler 37.75765, -79.9869528
The current Blueway Section 3 map supplies both public ramp coordinates, the commercial-to-wilderness transition, and private-property restrictions.
- Camping postureNearby basecamp only; no endpoint or on-route camping claimed
The Blueway plan identifies camping at regional campgrounds, while the city ramps and private shorelines are day-use access points.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- Alleghany Highlands Blueway trip plan
- Alleghany Highlands Blueway Section 3 map
- Alleghany Highlands Blueway flow guidance
- Alleghany Highlands Blueway safety tips
- USACE Gathright release guidance
- USGS 02011800 monitoring location
- USGS 02011800 current conditions
- Wikimedia Commons Jackson River context photo
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
Share your trip
Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
Jackson River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Fort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park route on the Jackson River?
Paddle Today watches Jackson River below Gathright Dam near Hot Springs, VA and treats 500 cfs to 1,900 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Fort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park route on the Jackson River start and end?
This route starts at Fort Young Park Jackson River Boat Ramp and ends at Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park Jackson River Ramp, approximately 3.9 river miles on the water.
Is the Fort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside Park route on the Jackson River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.