Virginia whitewater - Powell River - South Fork, Cumberland Plateau Mountains, Wise County Wise county, South Fork Gorge section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS V+     4 miles   I've been recording climate data in this area for 2 decades.The South Fork of the Powell River Gorge is one of the deepest chasms in all of Virginia, being 2000 vertical feet deep.  It drains the highcountry southwest of the Big Cherry Basin of the High Knob massif...the greatest landform of far southwestern Virginia that sprawls across southern Wise County, northern Scott County, and into the extreme northeastern end of Lee County.  This is a high precipitation area; although, 2007 has been the driest on record with 40-46'' across the upper elevations     ( if you will check that is still above the annual average of many places in Virginia ).  Says Wayne Browning The South Fork Gorge section of Powell River - South Fork in Wise County is 4 miles long and it is classified as a class V+ section by American Whitewater. The beautiful scenery of Virginia and the water flowing gracefully down Powell River - South Fork beats anything. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way this area has a large number of paddling rivers. There are plenty of hotels here if you want to spend a night, but do book a room before you come because it is a very popular destination. The Cumberland Plateau Mountains scenery is wonderful. Getting some good exercise and spending some quality time in nature will make you glad you came. The rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking   here in Virginia are often easier than in other states, so better not forget that many of the rivers here are not very demanding. There are campgrounds quite near the river where you can camp. There are plenty of other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. This stretch is mid length, it's perfect for a one day trip. If you're coming from Kingsport-Bristol it's not a long drive at all to the starting location, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. Briefly about the general area: Long Hollow is a pleasant location to check out close by, and a tour to Powell River - South Fork wouldn't be complete without taking a look at Big Spring. The yearly rain here at Powell River - South Fork is about average; March is the wettest month with most rain; October meanwhile is the driest month. These mountains rock, just look at all the entertaining things to do in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. High temperatures at Powell River - South Fork during the summertime months are in the 80's. Through the moonlight hours it's mostly in the 60's. The winter comes with highs in the 40's, and night lows in the 20's for Powell River - South Fork. Powell River - South Fork, South Fork Gorge road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked. QUICK STATS AW Class: V+ Length: 4 miles Average Gradient: 330 fpm    Putin Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.83409 Longitude: -82.70411 Takeout Location Coordinates: Latitude: 36.84429 Longitude: -82.70961 Paddler input for Powell River - South Fork, Virginia: Submit Input: Your Name: Write or Paste Input here: Upload picture:      Input Submission Guidelines Current weather conditions at Powell River - South Fork, Cumberland Plateau Mountains, Virginia Local climate location: WISE 29 miles away RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river. Comfort Inn Big Stone Gap, Big Stone Gap 3 miles away Lonesome Pine outdoor drama 1 mile. Huddle House Restaurant on property.... Holiday Inn NORTON, Norton 7 miles away Located in beautiful Southwestern Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the new Holiday Inn Norton offers a warm feeling of home. Relax and enjoy the inviting lobby, or enhance your eve... Inn at Norton, Norton 8 miles away Located in the Appalachian Mountains, The Inn at Norton, is surrounded by scenic, recreational, cultural, and historic attractions. Whether you are in town for business or pleasure, there are a multit...   Cumberland Plateau Mountains Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. Cumberland Plateau Mountains Outdoors Info Complete outdoors info for the Cumberland Plateau Mountains. All Virginia Whitewater Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Virginia. Books about whitewater paddling on Powell River - South Fork, Virginia List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Powell River - South Fork, 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 Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Kingsport-Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia, the metro area neareast to Powell River - South Fork. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.       These outdoors activities are available near Powell River - South Fork.   Whitewater Near Powell River - South Fork: Cove Creek, Scott County , 2 miles away, Class IV-V+ - 2 miles long (Cove Creek Gorge to Stinking Creek confluence) Powell River, Wise County , 4 miles away, Class II-IV - 3 miles long (Appalachia to Big Stone Gap) Stock Creek, Scott County , 4 miles away, Class III-IV+(V) - 1.5 miles long (Upper Gorge) Big Stony - Devil's Fork, Scott County , 5 miles away, Class III+(IV) - 1.5 miles long (Straight Fork Confluence to Big Stony Takeout) Big Stony Creek, Scott County , 7 miles away, Class III - 4 miles long (Chimney Rock Fork to Route 653 Bridge) Big Stony - Mountain Fork, Scott County , 8 miles away, Class V+ - 4 miles long (Mountain Fork to Chimney Rock Fork) Stock Creek, Scott County , 9 miles away, Class II-III - 1.8 miles long (Natural Tunnel State Park) Powell River, Wise/ Lee County , 10 miles away, Class I-II - 12 miles long (Big Stone Gap to Dryden) Little Stony Creek, Scott County , 16 miles away, Class V+ - 3 miles long (Little Stony Falls to Hanging Rock) Guest River, Wise/ Scott County , 17 miles away, Class IV-V - 8 miles long (Rt. 72 to Clinch River)   Ski Areas Near Powell River - South Fork: Wolf Laurel, North Carolina , 51 miles away, 700 vertical feet Ski Beech, North Carolina , 68 miles away, 830 vertical feet Sugar Mountain, North Carolina , 71 miles away, 1200 vertical feet Hawksnest, North Carolina , 72 miles away, 619 vertical feet Cataloochee, North Carolina , 75 miles away, 740 vertical feet Appalachian Mountain, North Carolina , 81 miles away, 365 vertical feet Ober Gatlinburg, Tennessee , 86 miles away, 600 vertical feet Scaly Mountain, North Carolina , 109 miles away, 225 vertical feet Sky Valley, Georgia , 112 miles away, 210 vertical feet Winterplace, West Virginia , 117 miles away, 603 vertical feet   Hotels Near Powell River - South Fork: Comfort Inn Big Stone Gap, Big Stone Gap , 3 miles away Holiday Inn NORTON, Norton , 7 miles away Inn at Norton, Norton , 8 miles away Norton Days Inn, Norton , 9 miles away Norton Super 8 Motel, Norton , 9 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Powell River - South Fork: Bark Campground, Scott County, 12 miles away Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield, 12 miles away Cane Patch Campground, Wise County, 15 miles away   National Parks Near Powell River - South Fork: Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville - NC , 69 miles away   Lakes Near Powell River - South Fork