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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
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.

Need to know
Why this call
Safety
Route safety
Advanced routeThis route has hazards that can create serious consequences if missed or misjudged. Paddle only with appropriate skill, equipment, and current local information.
Safety details
Grassy Shoals and Quinnimont are Class III features requiring scouting and a whitewater plan.
- High water increases swim consequences and can make the take-out ramp difficult to catch.
- The New River is powerful and remote between gorge access points; use a fitted PFD and a conservative go/no-go 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 note
Target band: 1,000 cfs to 12,000 cfs · New River at Thurmond, WV
Gauge context
Use USGS 03185400 as the live planning gauge. Recheck current discharge, trend, rainfall, access, shuttle roads, hazards, and daylight immediately before launch. Same-river proxy only: the Thurmond telemetry is not a route-endpoint measurement, so pair it with a same-day visual, rainfall, and access check.
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
Checking weather.
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
Compact New River Gorge run with Class III shoals and camping opportunities at both endpoints.
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
Glade Creek River AccessCheck the Glade Creek launch and Grandview Sandbar ramp before committing; high water can make the ramp easy to miss.
Take-out
Grandview Sandbar River AccessConfirm 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.
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.

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 Thurmond, WV |
| 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 | 1,000 cfs to 12,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 800 cfs |
| High threshold | 17,550 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater reach 2416 discharge range 800–17,550 cfs |
| 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 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.
- Camping contextGlade Creek and Grandview Sandbar have NPS camping context
NPS lists camping at both endpoint areas; verify current availability and restrictions.
- 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.
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 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.
Flag a change
See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.
