City: Buchanan, VA
County: Botetourt County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.52998707, -79.67940265
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I-II
Put-in
James - 1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
7 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 500.00-25000.00 cfs
James River at Buchanan, VA
Whitewater Runs on James River
12 runs (10 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
I-II
Put-in at this location
1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
6.2 mi
7 ft/mi
I
Take-out at this location
1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
4.8 mi
I(II)
Downstream from here (3.4 mi to put-in)
1.6. Arcadia to Alpine
4.8 mi
I-II
Downstream from here (6.6 mi to put-in)
1.8. Alpine to Glasgow
10.0 mi
II+(III)
Downstream from here (17.5 mi to put-in)
2. Glasgow to Snowdon
4.8 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (20.3 mi to put-in)
3. Snowdon (Route 501/130) to Six Mile
30.2 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (4.5 mi from take-out)
1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
17.0 mi
4 ft/mi
I
Upstream from here (12.2 mi from take-out)
03. Gala to Eagle Rock
3.9 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (14.5 mi from take-out)
02. Glen Wilton to Gala
7.3 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (17.9 mi from take-out)
01. Iron Gate to Glen Wilton
4.1 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Buchanan boat ramp provides easy access to the scenic James River in Botetourt County, Virginia. As a major headwater stream, the James River is over 1,100 miles long and drains a watershed of over 10,000 square miles. The river has an average flow of nearly 13,000 cubic feet per second and a gentle 2-foot per mile gradient, making it suitable for a variety of watercraft.
The concrete boat ramp is approximately 16 feet wide, accommodating small boats and kayaks. A pedestrian footbridge is located near the access point, allowing visitors to explore the river and surrounding greenway. While swimming is not permitted at the ramp, the area is popular with residents and visitors alike. Nearby campgrounds like Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp and Peaks of Otter Campground provide options for overnight stays. This is one of 12 public access points along the Upper James River Water Trail, with 9 located in Botetourt County.
The concrete boat ramp is approximately 16 feet wide, accommodating small boats and kayaks. A pedestrian footbridge is located near the access point, allowing visitors to explore the river and surrounding greenway. While swimming is not permitted at the ramp, the area is popular with residents and visitors alike. Nearby campgrounds like Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp and Peaks of Otter Campground provide options for overnight stays. This is one of 12 public access points along the Upper James River Water Trail, with 9 located in Botetourt County.