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Virginia | Fauquier and Culpeper counties / Remington–Kelly’s Ford

Rappahannock RiverRector Tract to Kelly's Ford

A compact 4.6-mile Rappahannock day run from Fauquier County's Rector Tract launch to Virginia DWR's Kelly's Ford access. Most of the reach is pastoral moving water before two Class II+ rapids in the final mile.

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Plan this route

Distance4.6 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical time2–3 hours depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Rappahannock River viewed from Virginia State Route 3 in eastern Virginia.
River contextRappahannock River at Route 3; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance4.6 river milesRector Tract to Kelly's Ford
DifficultymoderateMost of the short reach is easy moving water, but the last mile contains two Class II+ rapids. This is not a first moving-water outing when stage is elevated, visibility is poor, or the group cannot confidently run or legally avoid the features.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the downstream vehicle at the public Kelly's Ford DWR access, then drive to Rector Tract at 12233 River Road in Remington. Confirm both lots, daylight, WMA access requirements, and any current closures before unloading.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFauquier County publishes Rector Tract as a dawn-to-dusk public launch. At C.F. Phelps WMA, visitors age 17 and older must carry a qualifying Virginia license, boat registration, or DWR access permit unless an exemption applies; verify the current rule and posted site notices.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed. Rector Tract is a dawn-to-dusk day-use launch, and WMA rules prohibit camping within 300 feet of boat ramps. Shenandoah River State Park is a separate reservation-based regional basecamp, not part of this corridor.
SeasonMar-NovCheck stage, trend, recent and forecast rain, water temperature, debris, daylight, WMA notices, and both endpoint conditions immediately before launch. Low water can expose rocks; high or rising water increases current and rapid consequences.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

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Plan

Plan your trip

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

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A short public-access self-shuttle with direct Remington stage telemetry, pastoral moving water, and two Class II+ rapids near Kelly's Ford.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Rector Tract Canoe/Kayak Launch
Open mapDirections to put-in

Rector Tract is open dawn to dusk. Verify current county notices, parking, launch condition, and daylight before unloading.

Finish

Take-out

Kelly's Ford DWR boat access
Open mapDirections to take-out

Kelly's Ford is a DWR-owned and maintained hand launch/boat slide within C.F. Phelps WMA. Verify the current access-permit rule, hunting-season conditions, parking, ramp status, and closures.

Road shuttle

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Access planner

Choose your launch and take-out

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On-water distance4.6 miMixed access
On-water time2–3 hours depending on flowFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Rector Tract Canoe/Kayak Launch to Kelly's Ford DWR boat access is about 4.6 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Rector Tract is open dawn to dusk. Verify current county notices, parking, launch condition, and daylight before unloading.
  • Kelly's Ford is a DWR-owned and maintained hand launch/boat slide within C.F. Phelps WMA. Verify the current access-permit rule, hunting-season conditions, parking, ramp status, and closures.
  • Sandy Beach is posted no trespassing. Private banks and informal roadside pull-offs are not substitute accesses; obtain permission before leaving the navigable channel anywhere other than the named public endpoints.

Watch for

  • USGS 01664000 below 3.5 ft, above 6.5 ft, rapidly rising, unavailable, or inconsistent with the launch visual
  • Sandy Beach and Piggly Wiggly rapids, wood, shallow rock, cold water, thunderstorms, or poor downstream visibility
  • a closed endpoint, unmet WMA access requirement, insufficient daylight, separated paddlers, or a failed shuttle

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Rappahannock River viewed from Virginia State Route 3 in eastern Virginia.
Rappahannock River at Route 3; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Ken Lund via Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 2.0

Score & sources

Why this score

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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
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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 siteRappahannock River at Remington, VA
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
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Preferred range3.80 ft to 5.50 ft
Low threshold3.50 ft
High threshold6.50 ft
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater Remington–Kelly’s Ford correlation: 3.5–6.5 ft at USGS 01664000
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 corridorRector Tract to Kelly's Ford; 4.6 miles

    Fauquier County names the public launch, address, daily hours, exact downstream takeout, and distance.

    Source

  • Direct live gauge and thresholdUSGS 01664000; American Whitewater runnable range 3.5–6.5 ft

    American Whitewater ties the exact reach to the Remington gauge and documents both Class II+ rapids; USGS supplies current stage.

    Source

  • Public takeout and WMA rulesDWR-owned Kelly's Ford hand launch/boat slide

    Virginia DWR’s access inventory and C.F. Phelps map establish the public takeout; current WMA rules establish access-permit and camping constraints.

    Source

  • Camping logisticsNo on-route camping assumed; separate regional state-park basecamp

    Rector Tract is day use and WMA rules prohibit camping within 300 feet of boat ramps. Any separate state-park stay requires current availability and rules.

    Source

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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.Fauquier and Culpeper counties / Remington–Kelly’s FordJump to routes in this region.

More on Rappahannock River

All 2
Motts Run to Old Mill Park, FredericksburgSpotsylvania County and Fredericksburg / lower RappahannockHard · 4.5 river miles to Old Mill Park (American Whitewater reach continues to 6.8 miles with optional City Docks takeout)

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Charles County Water TrailsPurse area beach to Mallows Bay Park · about 31 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 miles one way between Purse and Mallows BayCharles County Water TrailsMattingly Park to Smallwood State Park · about 35 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 4.5 miles downstream from Mattingly Park to Smallwood State ParkCharles County Water TrailsFriendship Landing: Church Creek and Hilltop Fork options · about 36 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 2 miles round trip to Church Creek or 4 miles round trip to Hilltop ForkSouth Fork Shenandoah RiverNewport to White House Landing · about 42 straight-line mi awayModerate · 8.46 river miles

Quick answers

Rappahannock River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Rector Tract to Kelly's Ford route on the Rappahannock River?

Paddle Today watches Rappahannock River at Remington, VA and treats 3.80 ft to 5.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Rector Tract to Kelly's Ford route on the Rappahannock River start and end?

This route starts at Rector Tract Canoe/Kayak Launch and ends at Kelly's Ford DWR boat access, 4.6 river miles on the water.

Is the Rector Tract to Kelly's Ford route on the Rappahannock 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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