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Access Site VA

Indian Draft

Jackson River

Source: virginia_department_of_wildlife_resources Updated 1 year ago

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City: Covington, VA
County: Alleghany County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.86881033, -79.98874321
4401 Jackson River Rd, Covington, VA 24426, USA
Air Temp: --
Location
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Nearby Gauge Conditions
Jackson River at Falling Spring, VA Same River 0.8 mi away
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Jackson Riv at Filtration Plant at Covington, VA Same River 4 mi away
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Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
I-II Jackson - 4. Gathright Dam to Covington
9 ft/mi
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Current Conditions
Whitewater Runs on Jackson River
6 runs
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
I-II This location is on this run 4. Gathright Dam to Covington
17.0 mi 9 ft/mi
I-II This location is on this run 5. Covington to Low Moor
15.0 mi 9 ft/mi
I-II+(III) Downstream from here (9.4 mi to put-in) 6. Low Moor to James River
9.5 mi 12 ft/mi
II-III Upstream from here (12.5 mi from take-out) 3. Rt. 39 to McClintic Bridge (Rt. 603)
6.7 mi 24 ft/mi
I-II(III) Upstream from here (20.4 mi from take-out) 2. Poor Farm Rd. (Rt. 623) to Hidden Valley
7.0 mi 21 ft/mi
I-II Upstream from here (26.5 mi from take-out) 1. Vinegar Run to Poor Farm Rd. (Rt. 623)
14.0 mi 28 ft/mi
Whitewater data from American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Indian Draft Boat Ramp provides paddlers and small boaters access to the Jackson River in the George Washington National Forest near Covington, Virginia. The ramp is situated along the banks of the Jackson River, which in this section is a scenic, meandering waterway with Class I-II rapids.

This access point is particularly useful as a put-in or take-out location for those floating or paddling downstream from the Gathright Dam. The rapids at Indian Draft, while not overly challenging, can add a bit of excitement to the journey. Nearby campsites at Morris Hill Campground (reservable) offer convenient overnight options for multi-day river trips.

To reach Indian Draft Boat Ramp, take US-220 N/Hot Springs Rd north from Covington and turn left onto VA-687/Jackson River Rd. The entrance will be on the right in approximately 3.4 miles. The adjacent Ant Hill Trail provides scenic hiking opportunities in the Slate Lick area of the national forest.
Nearby Campgrounds (1 within 10 miles)
MORRIS HILL CAMPGROUND
On-site Reservable
Nearby Recreation Areas
Moomaw Lake Located within
Nearby Boat Facilities
Bolar Boat Launch DAY USE Pass On-site