West Virginia | New River Gorge / Sandstone

New River

Glade Creek River Access to Grandview Sandbar

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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Distance4.51 mi
DifficultyHard
Typical timeAbout 3–4 hr depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The New River runs through the forested New River Gorge in West Virginia.
Route photoNew River Gorge river characterPhoto by Malik Ahamed via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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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 history & hourly forecastDetailed view

Recent trend

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Hourly forecast

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Short-route forecast

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Quick facts and what's next

Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.

DifficultyhardClass III gorge water with limited bailout options; not a beginner route.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published for the named public endpoints. Follow current West Virginia boating/PFD rules, posted access rules, and any closure or water-quality notice.
CampingOptions nearbyNPS endpoint camping is documented at Glade Creek and Grandview Sandbar; verify current rules, reservations, and availability.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through fall; September can be excellent when discharge and road conditions cooperate.

Upcoming outlook

These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan your trip

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

Access and shuttle

Compact New River Gorge run with Class III shoals and camping opportunities at both endpoints.

Take the plan with you

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Start

Put-in

Glade Creek River Access
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Check the Glade Creek launch and Grandview Sandbar ramp before committing; high water can make the ramp easy to miss.

Finish

Take-out

Grandview Sandbar River Access
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Confirm current NPS road, campground, and parking status.

Plan this segment

Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.

Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Check the Glade Creek launch and Grandview Sandbar ramp before committing; high water can make the ramp easy to miss.
  • Confirm current NPS road, campground, and parking status.

Watch for

  • USGS discharge outside 800–17,550 cfs or rapidly rising water.
  • Grassy Shoals, Quinnimont, strong current, and a missed high-water take-out.

Why this score

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

Read quality
Checking live inputs.

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Gauge inputChecking

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Weather inputChecking

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Next stepChecking

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Today'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.

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Gauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteNew River at Thurmond, WV
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Target band1,000 cfs to 12,000 cfs
Low threshold800 cfs
High threshold17,550 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial and local sources
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreAmerican Whitewater reach 2416 discharge range 800–17,550 cfs
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
What 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 route corridorGlade Creek River Access to Grandview Sandbar; 4.51 mi; Class II-III

    American Whitewater documents the reach and 800–17,550 cfs planning range.

    Source

  • Camping contextGlade Creek and Grandview Sandbar have NPS camping context

    NPS lists camping at both endpoint areas; verify current availability and restrictions.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 03185400 discharge telemetry

    Official same-river proxy used for the route planning screen; it is not a route-endpoint measurement. Verify current value and trend alongside weather, visual conditions, and access.

    Source

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Paddler reports

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Photos

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New River paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling New River?

Paddle Today watches New River at Thurmond, WV and treats 1,000 cfs to 12,000 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 Glade Creek River Access and ends at Grandview Sandbar River Access, about 4.51 mi on the water.

Is this New River route good for beginners?

This is listed as a hard route. Treat the live score as a planning aid, then confirm conditions, hazards, access, and group skill before launching.

See something outdated?

Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.