South Fork of the New River Guide: section by section guide for paddling (English Edition)

This is a guide to the South Fork of the New River from Boone NC to Mouth of Wilson. Part of the reason I compiled this guide was because I was so often asked about various sections of the river and where to go. This is a method for giving this information out in a quick convenient way that can be put on a variety of devices using a kindle reader. It will give information on where to put in and take out in order to paddle the river from Boone, NC to Mouth of Wilson, VA. Each section will include directions to the put in and then directions to the take out, some general information about what to expect on each section and a number of photographs. Section 3 Green Valley Park to Grassy Island Park, 5.1 miles[C2] Directions from HWY194/US221 intersection in Boone to Green Valley Park

-Turn left on NC 194 N at the New Market Shopping Center. Travel north 5 miles to Big Hill Road.

– Turn right on to Big Hill Road, and travel 2.5 miles to the intersection with Tom Jackson Road.

-Turn left to remain on Big Hill Road. Go 1.1 miles to the entrance of Green Valley Park on the right.

– Turn right into the park and follow the driveway to the meadow and down near the river.

Directions from Green Valley Park to take out at Grassy Island

– Exit Green Valley Park, and turn right. Travel 4.8 miles on Big Hill Road to Railroad Grade Road.

-Turn right on Railroad Grade Road, and travel 2.5 miles to the entrance of Grassy Island Park.

-Turn right into the park immediately after Castle Ford Road. The driveway curves around under the bridge.
This 5.1 mile section begins and ends at two public access areas with plenty of parking and easy access to the river for loading and unloading boats. You will find this to be one of the busiest sections of the river. Its close proximity to Todd as well as the heavy use it gets from several local outfitters ensures large numbers of people, especially during the warmer months. On a summer weekend it is possible that you might find yourself sharing the river with hundreds of people over the course of a day
Because of the river traffic, the houses and real estate on this part of the river are inundated with “No Trespassing” signs. Out of respect for the property owners, please stay on the river and don’t use these areas for access to or from the river. They are not being mean but protecting their property from the abuse and litter that has been left in the past.

There are clear pros and cons to this section. In this part of the river, a road runs parallel for much of its length. On one hand, it is not as quiet as other sections and is downright crowded on weekends, so don’t plan to see much wildlife. On the other hand, the road running along nearly the entire length of this section and the next section makes it one of the best places on the river for shuttling back and forth from put in to take out with a bike. If you decide to do this by bike, there is one climb that goes for about three quarters of a mile that takes some effort, but you can walk the hill if needed.

Need a bike or a boat? Check with River Girl in Todd* about rentals of either one. They can also arrange for a shuttle to drop you off and pick you up.

*contact information in appendix

As much or more tubing takes place on this section as boating does. An extra inner tube for an ice box is not an uncommon sight on this section. The water ranges from small, short shoots to flat, slow water…