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West Virginia | New River Gorge / Upper New
New RiverMcCreery River Access to Stone Cliff
New River McCreery River Access to Stone Cliff is a 10.88 mi Class II-III run documented by American Whitewater and official access partners.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Longer Upper New Gorge run with Ledges and Silo Class III features and a committed Stone Cliff finish.
Access map
Put-in
McCreery River AccessConfirm both NPS road approaches and parking before launch; gorge roads can be seasonal or weather-affected.
Take-out
Stone Cliff River AccessStone Cliff is the planned take-out; do not drift into the final pool without a separate plan.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Confirm both NPS road approaches and parking before launch; gorge roads can be seasonal or weather-affected.
- Stone Cliff is the planned take-out; do not drift into the final pool without a separate plan.
Watch for
- USGS stage outside 1.25–9.75 ft, rapid rise, or cold water.
- Ledges, Silo undercut, strainers, and limited bailout options.
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.
Times use the selected time zone. Check it against the river’s location before saving or sharing.
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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
New River at Thurmond, WV. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
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Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
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.
- Checking data sources and update times.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | New River at Thurmond, WV |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| Discharge | 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 |
| Preferred range | 1.50 ft to 7.50 ft |
| Low threshold | 1.25 ft |
| High threshold | 9.75 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater reach 2417 stage range 1.25–9.75 ft |
| 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 corridorMcCreery River Access to Stone Cliff; 10.88 mi; Class II-III
American Whitewater documents the reach, stage range, and Ledges/Silo hazards.
- Endpoint accessMcCreery and Stone Cliff NPS river accesses
NPS access and camping material supports the public endpoint names and gorge context.
- GaugeUSGS 03185400 stage 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 explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.
Quick answers
New River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the McCreery River Access to Stone Cliff route on the New River?
Paddle Today watches New River at Thurmond, WV and treats 1.50 ft to 7.50 ft as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does the McCreery River Access to Stone Cliff route on the New River start and end?
This route starts at McCreery River Access and ends at Stone Cliff River Access, 10.88 mi on the water.
Is the McCreery River Access to Stone Cliff route on the New River suitable 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.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.