West Virginia | North-central West Virginia / Valley Falls
Tygart Valley RiverValley Falls State Park to Hammond / Twist and Shout take-out
Tygart Valley River Valley Falls State Park to Hammond / Twist and Shout take-out is a 1.2 mi Class II-IV (with Class IV+ features) 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.
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Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
Very short, high-consequence Tygart whitewater section with a live Colfax stage gauge and a park-controlled put-in.
Access map
Put-in
Valley Falls State Park river-right check-in / access areaThis coordinate is the required river-right park check-in/access area described by American Whitewater, not a surveyed water-entry point. Sign in with Valley Falls State Park personnel and follow current directions to the river.
Take-out
Twist and Shout take-out under the railroad bridgeInspect the railroad-bridge take-out before launching; never use the active rail line for the return shuttle.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- This coordinate is the required river-right park check-in/access area described by American Whitewater, not a surveyed water-entry point. Sign in with Valley Falls State Park personnel and follow current directions to the river.
- Inspect the railroad-bridge take-out before launching; never use the active rail line for the return shuttle.
Watch for
- USGS Colfax stage outside the conservative 3.5–5.5 ft screen or a rapidly rising trend.
- Valley Falls, Hamburger Helper, Twist and Shout, pinning hazards, cold water, and railroad infrastructure.
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.
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Download GPX Route geometry only; no schedule required.
Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
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
Tygart Valley River at Colfax, 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
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
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 corridorValley Falls State Park to Hammond; 1.2 mi; Class II-IV
American Whitewater documents the gauge, river-right put-in, named hazards, and Twist and Shout take-out.
- Access and camping contextValley Falls State Park access; nearby Tygart Lake camping
State-park and campground sources support the access check and nearby-basecamp classification.
- GaugeUSGS 03057000 stage telemetry
Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.
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
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Quick answers
Tygart Valley River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Valley Falls State Park to Hammond / Twist and Shout take-out route on the Tygart Valley River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Valley Falls State Park to Hammond / Twist and Shout take-out route on the Tygart Valley River start and end?
This route starts at Valley Falls State Park river-right check-in / access area and ends at Twist and Shout take-out under the railroad bridge, 1.2 mi on the water.
Is the Valley Falls State Park to Hammond / Twist and Shout take-out route on the Tygart Valley River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a hard route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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