Access Site
WV
Hawks Nest State Park
Source: west_virginia_department_of_natural_resources Updated 1 year ago
City: Ansted, WV
County: Fayette County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.11853731, -81.11975254
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on New River
20 runs (7 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
III-IV
Put-in at this location
15. New River Dries: Hawks Nest Dam to Gauley Bridge
6.0 mi
18 ft/mi
III-IV
Upstream from here (4.4 mi from take-out)
14. Cunard to Fayette Station
6.9 mi
20 ft/mi
I-III
Upstream from here (10.6 mi from take-out)
13. Thurmond to Cunard
7.2 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (11.7 mi from take-out)
12. McCreery to Thurmond
13.0 mi
8 ft/mi
I-III
Upstream from here (18.7 mi from take-out)
11. Sandstone to McCreery
15.0 mi
9 ft/mi
I-III(IV)
Upstream from here (29.0 mi from take-out)
10. Bluestone Dam to Sandstone
11.0 mi
10 ft/mi
I-III
Upstream from here (42.3 mi from take-out)
09. Glen Lyn, VA to Bull Falls Camping Area, WV
21.0 mi
5 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I-II+(III)
55 mi away
08. Pearisburg,VA to Glen Lyn, VA
9.6 mi
I-II
59 mi away
07. Ripplemead to Pearisburg
8.4 mi
8 ft/mi
I-II
63 mi away
06. Eggleston to Ripplemead
8.4 mi
4 ft/mi
I-II(III)
67 mi away
05. McCoy Falls to Eggleston
3.5 mi
I-II
70 mi away
04. Claytor Dam to above McCoy Falls
26.0 mi
II
86 mi away
03.0 Foster Falls to Barren Springs
6.4 mi
II
85 mi away
03.1 Barren Springs to Allisonia
5.4 mi
I-II
87 mi away
02.3 Austinville to Foster Falls
4.5 mi
II-III
87 mi away
02.4 Foster Falls
0.6 mi
I-II
88 mi away
02.2 Ivanhoe to Austinville
4.7 mi
II-III
90 mi away
02.1 Byllesby Dam to Ivanhoe
4.2 mi
I-III
94 mi away
02.0 Fries Dam to Byllesby Dam
7.2 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II(III)
97 mi away
01. Stuart Dam (Route 58) to Fries (Route 94)
43.9 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Hawks Nest State Park offers convenient access to the New River via two boat launch ramps located at the marina near the lower section of the aerial tramway. To reach the ramps, head south from Main Street in Ansted, WV (approximately 1.5 miles east of the main park entrance) and follow Highway 60/2 to the end. The marina area includes restrooms, a snack shop, and a nature center, making it a well-equipped put-in location for kayakers, canoeists, and motorboats.
The site provides access to scenic New River paddling within the famous New River Gorge. An aerial tramway operates seasonally from the lodge down to the river level, offering both jet boat tours and alternative ways to explore the gorge. Paddlers should note that jet boat operations are seasonal; contact Hawks Nest State Park directly for current operating schedules. Nearby recreation includes the scenic Gauley River National Recreation Area and connections to the Kanawha River system for extended paddling opportunities. The area offers lodging and camping options, with a group campsite (Burnwood) located within 10 miles.
The site provides access to scenic New River paddling within the famous New River Gorge. An aerial tramway operates seasonally from the lodge down to the river level, offering both jet boat tours and alternative ways to explore the gorge. Paddlers should note that jet boat operations are seasonal; contact Hawks Nest State Park directly for current operating schedules. Nearby recreation includes the scenic Gauley River National Recreation Area and connections to the Kanawha River system for extended paddling opportunities. The area offers lodging and camping options, with a group campsite (Burnwood) located within 10 miles.
Nearby Campgrounds (1 within 10 miles)
Burnwood Group Campsite
On-site
Nearby Recreation Areas
Kanawha River - London Pool
Located within
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Located within
Summersville Lake
Located within