Virginia whitewater, Jackson River Alleghany county, Gathright Dam to James River section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     42.5 miles   One note to remember; if boating from the Grathright Dam to the James River section is the Covington paper mill. You must get out above the mill call the mill guard,(there is a phone at the fire training building)and the mill will provide transportation around the mill's property. Once below the mill you are going to be in what we call the ''Dirty'', because the mill's waste treatment process stains the water and the river bottom. Fishing     is still great with a lot of Hugh trout. Not many people fish the ''Dirty'' as the the ''Clean''. The further you travel down stream the less the trout as the water starts to warm. The river is colder closer to the dam as the water is released from the lower depth of the dam's intake tower making the river's temperature low. Fishing the warmer part of the river you will catch many other species. I use four pound test line, 3/0 split shot, swivel, #6 bait holder hook with the barb smashed down for easy removal from fish and half a night crawler threaded on hook not in a knot on the hook to fish all parts of the river. Says M.L.Humphries I spend   Sunday evenings canoeing and fishing from the Indian Draft public access to Covington above the paper mill. Last Sunday,(7-11-10)I landed 20+ rainbow and browns, I kept 3 legals for dinner. There were many people floating and enjoying the day. I only met 2 guys fishing from intertube rigs. The river was mine for fishing! That is about a 6.5 hour tour when fishing the hot holes. Says M.L.Humphries 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 sections for whitewater rafting and kayaking here in Virginia are often more forgiving than in other states, so if you're not from around here don't forget that a lot of the rivers in this state are suitable for beginners. Jackson River, Gathright Dam to James River road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast 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) Jackson River, Alleghany County, 8 miles away       Class I-II - 42.5 miles long (Gathright Dam to James River) Roaring Run, Botetourt County, 9 miles away       Class V+ - 1.2 miles long (County line to Recreation Area) Cowpasture River, Botetourt County, 9 miles away       Class I-II - 13.5 miles long (Griffith to James River) James River, Botetourt County, 13 miles away       Class I-II - 16.5 miles long (Route 43 to Route 630) Simpson Creek, Alleghany County, 15 miles away       Class II-III - 6.5 miles long (Truckstop to Route 60) Ogle Creek, Alleghany County, 17 miles away       Class II-III - 5.7 miles long (Route 661 to Dunlap Creek) Back Creek - Jackson Tributary, Bath County, 19 miles away       Class I-III - 17.5 miles long (Bath County Pumped Storage Facility to Jackson River) Anthony Creek, Greenbrier County, 19 miles away       Class I-II - 10 miles long (Neola to Blue Bend Recreation Area) Colliers Creek, Rockbridge County, 19 miles away       Class II-III - 4 miles long (Collierstown to Buffalo Creek)   Ski Areas Near Jackson River: The Homestead, Virginia , 5 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 9 runs Snowshoe, West Virginia , 31 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 14 lifts, 57 runs Wintergreen, Virginia , 64 miles away, 1003 foot drop, 5 lifts, 20 runs Canaan Valley, West Virginia , 69 miles away, 850 foot drop, 4 lifts, 34 runs Timberline, West Virginia , 72 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 4 lifts, 37 runs Massanutten, Virginia , 82 miles away, 1110 foot drop, 8 lifts, 14 runs Winterplace, West Virginia , 88 miles away, 603 foot drop, 9 lifts, 27 runs Bryce Resort, Virginia , 92 miles away, 500 foot drop, 5 lifts, 8 runs Wisp, Maryland , 99 miles away, 700 foot drop, 12 lifts, 32 runs   Hotels Near Jackson River: Oak Tree Inn Low Moor, Low Moor , 4 miles away The Omni Homestead Resort, Hot Springs , 8 miles away Americas Best Value Inn Covington, Covington , 8 miles away Magnuson Hotel Mountain View, Covington , 9 miles away Hampton Inn Covington VA, Covington , 9 miles away   Campgrounds Near Jackson River: Douthat State Park - Whispering Pines Horse Camp, Clifton Forge, 3 miles away The Buckhorne Family Campground, Clifton Forge, 4 miles away Buckhorn Store And Campground, Clifton Forge, 4 miles away   Trails Near Jackson River: Sandy Gap Trail, Bath , 3 miles away Stony Run Trail, Bath , 4 miles away Blue Suck Trail, Bath , 4 miles away Pine Tree Trail, Bath , 4 miles away Tobacco House Ridge Trail, Bath , 4 miles away   Public Lands Near Jackson River: Booker T Washington National Monument, Hardy - VA , 39 miles away Douthat State Park, Virginia , 4 miles away Jefferson National Forest, Virginia , 22 miles away Watoga State Park, West Virginia , 23 miles away   Golf Courses Near Jackson River: Alleghany Country Club, Covington , 5 miles away Lower Cascades Golf Club, Hot Springs , 6 miles away Cliff View Golf Club & Inn, Covington , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Jackson River Pike Pond, Alleghany , 4 miles away Lake Moomaw, Alleghany , 8 miles away