See all 10 routes on New River
Virginia | Wythe County / New River Trail State Park
New River
Austin Memorial Park to Foster Falls
Check current paddling conditions for this New River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
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.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
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.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
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
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind 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 |
| Target band | 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.
- Rights-clean image decisionUse the approved PaddleToday route-photo fallback
No image is copied from Virginia State Parks, USGS, or American Whitewater. Add a route-specific photo only after reuse rights are verified.
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 jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
New River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling 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 this New River route start and end?
This route starts at Austinville public boat ramp / Austin Memorial Park and ends at Foster Falls public boat ramp, about 4.5 river miles on the water.
Is this New River route good 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.