Virginia whitewater - Jackson River, Alleghany County Alleghany county, Gathright Dam to James River section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     42.5 miles   I'm looking for a good two-night float on the Jackson, trout fishing along the way.  Should I look above or below the dam?  Thanks!  Says Matthew Steilberg The nature scenery of Alleghany County and the water flowing gracefully down Jackson River attract people from near and far. The Gathright Dam to James River section of Jackson River in Virginia is 42.5 miles long and is rated by American Whitewater as a class I-II section. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in Virginia is often easier than elsewhere, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind     that rivers here are less demanding. A bit of exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors will make you glad you came. If you'll be staying in a hotel you're in luck, lodging is available very near the river, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this is an area with plenty of places for that. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground. A stretch of this length does require some preparations, perfect for a real wilderness adventure. This is one of a small number of paddling sections in this river system, there are a few others too. Briefly about the general area: McGraw Gap is close to Jackson River and is a good place, and close by you locate the Stony Run Trail which is a magnificent hiking trail. Jackson   River is a wet site that gets lots of precipitation; July is when you get the most rain here, and the driest month of the year is February. The Sandy Gap Trail is a magnificent hiking trail close to Jackson River. High temperatures at Jackson River throughout the summer are in the 80's. For the duration of the dark hours of summer temperatures fall down into the 50's. Highs through the wintertime are mostly in the 30's, and night lows all through the wintertime for Jackson River tend to be in the 10's. Jackson River, Gathright Dam to James River road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: I-II Length: 42.5 miles    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.9494 Longitude: -79.95611 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 37.78419 Longitude: -79.77611 Paddler input for Jackson River, Virginia: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Jackson River, Virginia Local climate location: BUCKEYE 19 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Oak Tree Inn Low Moor, Low Moor 4 miles away Situated in the heart of the Alleghany Highlands just off of I 64 between Clifton Forge and Covington, the Oak Tree Inn Low Moor opened in June 2009. Extra-dark and extra-quiet, our comfortable guest ... Americas Best Value Inn Covington, Covington 8 miles away Americas Best Value Inn in Covington, Virginia is a 43 room hotel located off Interstate 64 in a small valley surrounded by breathtaking scenic views of the Appalachian Allegheny Mountains. All of our... Best Western Mountain View, Covington 9 miles away Guests staying at this pet-friendly Covington, Virginia hotel will be close to downtown Covington, Humpback Bridge and several corporate locations. Whether traveling to western Virginia on business ...   All Virginia Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Virginia. Books about whitewater paddling on Jackson River, Virginia List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Jackson River, Virginia. Find a whitewater outfitter in Virginia Whitewater Basics If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info. Outdoors Recreation Near Roanoke, Virginia Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Roanoke, Virginia, the metro area neareast to Jackson River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Jackson River.   Whitewater Near Jackson River: Wilson Creek, Alleghany County , 5 miles away, Class II-III - 7.5 miles long (Douthat Park Dam to Jackson River) Cowpasture River, Botetourt County , 8 miles away, Class I-II - 13.5 miles long (Griffith to James River) Roaring Run, Botetourt County , 9 miles away, Class V+ - 1.2 miles long (County line to Recreation Area) Simpson Creek, Alleghany County , 12 miles away, Class II-III - 6.5 miles long (Truckstop to Route 60) Back Creek - Jackson Tributary, Bath County , 14 miles away, Class I-III - 17.5 miles long (Bath County Pumped Storage Facility to Jackson River) Ogle Creek, Alleghany County , 15 miles away, Class II-III - 5.7 miles long (Route 661 to Dunlap Creek) James River, Botetourt County , 16 miles away, Class I-II - 16.5 miles long (Route 43 to Route 630) Catawba Creek, Botetourt County , 17 miles away, Class I-III - 12 miles long (Fincastle to James River) Dunlap Creek, Alleghany County , 17 miles away, Class I-IV - 18.5 miles long (Crows to Jackson River) Jackson River, Bath/ Alleghany County , 17 miles away, Class I-III - 28.5 miles long (Vinegar Run to Route 603)   Ski Areas Near Jackson River: The Homestead, Virginia , 5 miles away, 700 vertical feet Snowshoe, West Virginia , 31 miles away, 1500 vertical feet Wintergreen, Virginia , 64 miles away, 1003 vertical feet Canaan Valley, West Virginia , 69 miles away, 850 vertical feet Timberline, West Virginia , 72 miles away, 1000 vertical feet Massanutten, Virginia , 82 miles away, 1110 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 88 miles away, 603 vertical feet Bryce Resort, Virginia , 92 miles away, 500 vertical feet Wisp, Maryland , 99 miles away, 700 vertical feet   Hotels Near Jackson River: Oak Tree Inn Low Moor, Low Moor , 4 miles away Americas Best Value Inn Covington, Covington , 8 miles away Best Western Mountain View, Covington , 9 miles away Holiday Inn Express COVINGTON, Covington , 9 miles away Days Inn Troutville Roanoke, Troutville , 24 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Jackson River: The Buckhorne Family Campground, Clifton Forge, 4 miles away Buckhorn Store And Campground, Clifton Forge, 4 miles away Douthat State Park, Millboro, 5 miles away   Trails Near Jackson River: Sandy Gap Trail, Bath County , 3 miles away Stony Run Trail, Bath County , 4 miles away Blue Suck Trail, Bath County , 4 miles away Pine Tree Trail, Bath County , 4 miles away Tobacco House Ridge Trail, Bath County , 4 miles away   National Parks Near Jackson River: Booker T Washington National Monument, Hardy - VA , 39 miles away   Lakes Near Jackson River