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Virginia | Wythe County / New River Trail State Park
New RiverAustin Memorial Park to Foster Falls
A 4.5-mile Class I-II New River trip between two public state-park ramps. Virginia State Parks runs this exact ranger-led and livery-supported paddle, while USGS 03165500 and American Whitewater provide direct flow context.
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Route location
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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
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 short state-park paddle with public ramps, seasonal rentals and shuttle support, endpoint primitive camping, and a direct same-river gauge.
Access map
Put-in
Austinville public boat ramp / Austin Memorial ParkVirginia State Parks lists boat ramps at both Austinville and Foster Falls; verify current notices, parking, ramp condition, and livery availability before unloading.
Take-out
Foster Falls public boat rampThe livery schedule is seasonal and can change. Self-shuttle paddlers still need a legal vehicle plan at both endpoints.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Virginia State Parks lists boat ramps at both Austinville and Foster Falls; verify current notices, parking, ramp condition, and livery availability before unloading.
- The livery schedule is seasonal and can change. Self-shuttle paddlers still need a legal vehicle plan at both endpoints.
- Millrace camping requires a reservation and a short walk from parking; it is not a riverbank landing or emergency bailout entitlement.
Watch for
- USGS 03165500 outside 1,200–10,000 cfs, rising rapidly, unavailable, or inconsistent with the launch visual
- swift bends, small rapids, submerged rocks or wood, cold water, thunderstorms, and missed shuttle timing
- park, ramp, livery, campground, or weather-related closure notices
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.
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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
New River at Ivanhoe, 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
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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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.
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- 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 | New River at Ivanhoe, 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 | 1,600 cfs to 6,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 1,200 cfs |
| High threshold | 10,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater Austinville–Foster Falls correlation: 1,200–10,000 cfs at USGS 03165500 |
| 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 corridorAustinville to Foster Falls; 4.5 miles; Class I-II
Virginia State Parks currently advertises the exact ranger-led paddle, both ramps, rentals, and shuttle support.
- Direct live gauge and thresholdUSGS 03165500; American Whitewater runnable range 1,200–10,000 cfs
American Whitewater ties the exact 4.5-mile reach to the Ivanhoe gauge; USGS supplies current discharge and gage height.
- Endpoint camping and safetyMillrace primitive campground at Foster Falls; unpredictable current warning
Virginia State Parks documents reservation-required endpoint camping and warns of dangerous current and underwater hazards.
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
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
New River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Austin Memorial Park to Foster Falls route on the New River?
Paddle Today watches New River at Ivanhoe, VA and treats 1,600 cfs to 6,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the Austin Memorial Park to Foster Falls route on the New River start and end?
This route starts at Austinville public boat ramp / Austin Memorial Park and ends at Foster Falls public boat ramp, 4.5 river miles on the water.
Is the Austin Memorial Park to Foster Falls route on the New 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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