NRV O utdoors
Paddling through the New River Valley of Virginia Photos by Billy Bowling
For those looking for a new perspective to enjoy the New River Valley, on the water may be your best bet. Traversing the landscape with the flow of water takes the visitor on a new journey with scenic landscapes, historical adventures, and easy fun for all ages. We start on the Little River, a tributary of the New River. In Floyd County, the Little River provides a gentle float for canoes, kayaks and tubes. On The Water near downtown Floyd provides group rentals and outfitting for trips on this mountain waterway. Easy access on Route 8 through Floyd connects travelers to Interstate 81. Another prime, but slightly different, water experience in the NRV is found at Pulaski County’s Claytor Lake and Claytor Lake State Park. Claytor Lake, off I-81 at exit 101, is a 4,475-acre reservoir in the New River. The Little River joins the New River just downstream of the lake. Guests here can enjoy boating, kayaking, standup paddleboarding and a 24
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variety of activities and special events. One favorite is floating live musical performances that guests can paddle up to and enjoy. Mountain 2 Island at Rock House Marina offers standup paddleboards, kayaks and canoes to get you out on the water. Leaving Claytor Lake and flowing north, the New River wraps around the small City of Radford. This “River City” is home to Bisset Park where river access is public and easy. Wading, tubing and paddling in the New River here is easygoing and slow-moving. There is ample access and parking for the 90-acre Bisset Park along the shore of the New River. Off Route 11, turn onto Berkeley Williams Drive near downtown Radford. Continuing north, paddlers enter Montgomery County where public river access points include the popular Whitethorne Landing in McCoy. Additionally, you can visit New River Junction for tube and shuttle service or to play at McCoy Falls. The Junction is accessible via Prices Fork Road, then Jul y/August
2020
