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Virginia | Giles County / Glen Lyn

New RiverRich Creek to Glen Lyn

A roughly 4.5-mile calm New River float from the public Rich Creek ramp to Glen Lyn Park, using direct USGS 03176500 telemetry and the New River Water Trail’s named day-trip corridor.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 4.5 river miles
DifficultyEasy
Typical time2–3 hours depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The New River runs through the forested New River Gorge in West Virginia.
River contextNew River Gorge river character river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Malik Ahamed via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 4.5 river milesRich Creek to Glen Lyn
DifficultyeasyThe named 4.5-mile corridor is described as very calm with several riffles and big islands; plan for moving water, changing current, cold water, and limited legal exits.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the take-out at Glen Lyn Park, then drive to the Rich Creek public ramp. Confirm current ramp, parking, road, and park access conditions before unloading.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published for these public accesses. Follow current Virginia boating, PFD, DWR, city, park, and posted access rules and all temporary closure notices.
CampingDay tripNo on-route or access-site camping is assumed. Use separately managed regional lodging or a lawful campground after confirming availability; a public access does not grant riverbank camping rights.
SeasonApr-OctCheck USGS 03176500 discharge and stage trend, NWS river conditions, recent and forecast rain, water temperature, debris, daylight, and access status immediately before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A named 4.5-mile Rich Creek–Glen Lyn Water Trail float with public ramps, direct 03176500 telemetry, an official flood-stage ceiling, and calm Class I moving water.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Rich Creek VDGIF public ramp
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the documented Rich Creek and Glen Lyn Park public accesses; verify current parking, ramp condition, and posted rules before launch.

Finish

Take-out

Glen Lyn Park public ramp
Open mapDirections to take-out

Confirm Glen Lyn Park is open and suitable for the take-out before committing; do not substitute an unverified roadside pullout or private bank.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the documented Rich Creek and Glen Lyn Park public accesses; verify current parking, ramp condition, and posted rules before launch.
  • Confirm Glen Lyn Park is open and suitable for the take-out before committing; do not substitute an unverified roadside pullout or private bank.
  • Camping is not assumed at either access or along private riverbank; arrange separate lawful lodging or campground reservations.

Watch for

  • USGS 03176500 feed unavailable, rapidly rising, approaching the 15 ft flood stage, or inconsistent with the river visual
  • low water requiring scraping, riffles, strainers, cold water, debris, and limited legal exits
  • access or parking closures, thunderstorms, daylight loss, and failed shuttle plans

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.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

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.

The New River runs through the forested New River Gorge in West Virginia.
New River Gorge river character river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Malik Ahamed via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY 2.0

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.

Data status
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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.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteNew River at Glen Lyn, VA
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range2.00 ft to 10.00 ft
Low threshold0.00 ft
High threshold15.00 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreNWS Glen Lyn flood-stage ceiling: 15 ft; no published low-runnable minimum for the calm Water Trail segment
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
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 corridorRich Creek to Glen Lyn; approximately 4.5 river miles / 2.5 hours

    The New River Water Trail names the day trip and both public endpoints.

    Source

  • Gauge check recorded during route reviewUSGS 03176500 discharge/stage; NWS 15 ft flood-stage ceiling

    This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.

    Source

  • Public endpoints and access coordinatesRich Creek VDGIF ramp to Glen Lyn Park ramp

    DWR access records and the Glen Lyn Park page identify the public endpoints and source-backed coordinates.

    Source

  • Camping logisticsNo on-route camping assumed; nearby basecamp only

    The documented accesses are day-use facilities; arrange separate lawful lodging or camping.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Virginia

All 49 routes
Virginia route guideBrowse every tracked Virginia route.Giles County / Glen LynJump to routes in this region.

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Quick answers

New River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Rich Creek to Glen Lyn route on the New River?

Paddle Today watches New River at Glen Lyn, VA and treats 2.00 ft to 10.00 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Rich Creek to Glen Lyn route on the New River start and end?

This route starts at Rich Creek VDGIF public ramp and ends at Glen Lyn Park public ramp, Approximately 4.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Rich Creek to Glen Lyn route on the New 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.

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