| Canoe | Kayak | Tube | Raft |
| River trips are not guided. You will be given a thorough river orientation and issued a detailed map of the river. Basic paddling instruction will be readily provided for novice paddlers. You will then be transported to the launch site of your trip and cast forth upon the waters. Please note, the time indicated is the length of time it takes the average canoeist to paddle that section of river in a steady, but leisurely way at normal river level. If you are fishing, just floating, or the river level is low, trips will take longer. You may take as long as you like (within a calendar day of course). All trips finish at Downriver Canoe Company's base unless otherwise indicated. | ||
| MINIMUM AGE 5 YEARS, NO EXCEPTIONS | ||
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The South Fork of the Shenandoah is a flowing mountain river legendary for its canoeing excellence. Canoes are swift, maneuverable, and easy to handle. Canoes are the craft of choice on the Shenandoah because they're ideal for exploring the many subtle riffles and eddies which make this river so much fun to paddle. There is no better way to experience this wonderful river. |
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2008 PRICING |
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| SHORT TRIPS | |
| TRIP #1 HAZARD MILL TRIP - 3 Miles, 1 hour | $49 per canoe ($32 per kayak) |
| A very easy introductory trip over calm water for those with limited time (or those hard core fisherman wishing to thoroughly work this great fishing section) |
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| TRIP #2 STATE PARK TRIP 3 1/2 miles, 1 hour + |
$49 per canoe ($32 per kayak) |
| A short float paralleling the new Shenandoah River State Park and finishing in the park itself. This is an excellent section for bird and wildlife enthusiasts. | |
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MOST POPULAR DAY TRIPS |
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| TRIP #3 (BURNERS BOTTOM) 7 1/2 miles, 2 1/2 hours |
$59 per canoe ($39 per kayak) |
| Our most popular short trip through stunning mountain scenery including the sudden ledge and the old mill race (my favorite section). Makes a great all day fishing trip. | |
| TRIP #4 (SEEKFORDS LANDING) 12 miles, 4 hours |
$59 per canoe ($39 per kayak) |
| This is our best day trip over the most remote section of the river including the challenge of Compton Rapid (class II), the sudden ledge, and the old mill race. | |
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LONGER TRIPS |
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| TRIP #5 (J.R.'S CAMPGROUND) 15 miles, 5 hours |
$65 per canoe ($44 per kayak) |
| This full day's paddling adventure begins right where the river "gets good" about 4 miles above Compton Rapid and includes all of the previous two sections. | |
| TRIP #6 (CAVALIER FARMS) 19 miles, 7 hours |
$65 per canoe ($44 per kayak) |
| A long trip for the stout of limb (intellect slim) or when the river level is high and pushy (like my punk girlfriend). Start early, paddle hard. Don't even think about doing this trip in low water. | |
| TWO DAY TRIP (FORT STOVER) 24 miles, 9 hours total |
$130 per canoe ($89 per kayak) |
| A great overnight trip starting at Fort Stover with camping in Golden Rock Campground at Compton Rapid (the prettiest spot on the river). We recommend spotting your vehicle and camping gear at the campground to avoid wet sleepingbagitus (we shuttle you back at the end of the trip). | |
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FIRST LEG AND CAMP (FT. STOVER TO COMPTON RAPID) |
$99 per canoe ($69 per kayak) |
| TRIPS LONGER THAN 2 DAYS $130 per canoe first 2 days, $39 per day thereafter
$89 per kayak first 2 days, $29 per day thereafter |
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| Everyone is unique (this is ostensibly a good thing). Therefore, all trips of three days or longer will be custom planned depending on river conditions and guest priorities (and peculiarities). We have 160 miles of river to work with. 12 to 15 miles per day is a good pace. Be careful not to overload your canoe. | |
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SHUTTLE SERVICE ONLY (for privately owned watercraft) $30 more or less |
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CANOE TRIP TIPS
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| Canoes are so versatile they're good in just about any river condition (except flood or dust). Be sure to drink plenty of fluids, slather on the sun screen, wear foot protection, and enjoy the river. | |
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| (see "River Trips" for routes and prices) | |||
| Downriver Canoe Company maintains a fleet of 60 user friendly single seat kayaks of a design well suited to this river. These easy handling novice kayaks are very stable and fun to paddle. Kayaks are highly maneuverable and give the individual paddler great flexibility in exploring the subtle nuances of a flowing river. A mix of canoes and kayaks allows everyone to try each in turn, or makes a great option for that odd person in your group (every group has one). | |||
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KAYAK TRIP TIPS
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| For 2008 we have increased our kayak fleet to 55 kayaks. All our kayaks this year are the Old Town Loon 111's, the sit inside model with the large cockpit everyone raves about for it's comfort and stability. We also have 6 tandem (two person) kayaks available. The rental price for a tandem kayak is the same as for a canoe. Solo kayaks do very well when the river is shallow. but tandems don't (we call them divorce boats). | |||
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| 3 miles, about 3 hours | $16 per tube Do you qualify for a discount? Floating coolers $6 per cooler |
| Float tubes are like big vinyl donuts full of air (ours are designed for people, not the family car). What a wonderfully lazy way to enjoy the water, being part of the river as you drift along. We offer two routes from which to choose, each taking about 3 hours in duration. Tube floats are available when the river temperature climbs into the 70's, generally from early June through mid September. Remember to slather on plenty of sun screen and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration (yes, dehydration can occur even though you are immersed in water). A hat is a good idea and water shoes of some sort are an absolute must (both of which are available for sale in our store at highly inflated prices). Floating coolers are available to rent for $6 each. Can be rough on the posterior in low water. | |
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TUBING TRIP TIPS
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| Tube floats are the most relaxing and easiest way to get on (and in) the river in the summertime. What could be simpler or easier than floating down the river in a tube on a hot summers day. Sun screen and foot protection are a must. Tube trips usually begin in early June when the river water temperature warms into the 70's, and go to mid-September (after that the river water temperature is too chilly). We vary the length of our tube trips to give you about a three hour float on the river. Any longer than three hours gets uncomfortable and sunburny. | |
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| (see "River Trips" for routes) | (cost varies with raft size) | |||
| The South Fork of the Shenandoah River is a flowing mountain river, not a white water river. Although canoes and kayaks are clearly the preferred watercraft for this river, some people prefer the extra stability and roominess a raft provides. Rafts are ideal for timid paddlers with limited river running experience, families with small children, those who wish to stay together in one watercraft, or fishermen looking for more elbowroom on an all day fishing adventure. Since rafts seldom flip on this river, it may also be a good choice when the river is high or cold (and total immersion seems unattractive). Downriver Canoe Company offers outfitter grade rafts in three different sizes. Just remember, rafts are significantly slower than canoes or kayaks, and trips of a given length will normally take about 50% longer. Please note, raft trips are not available when the river level is "very low". Also, because of their claws, please no pets...ssssssssssssssssssssss. | ||||
| SMALL RAFT - 9ft - capacity 3 adults * | $79 per raft | |||
| MEDIUM RAFT - 11.5ft - capacity 4 adults * | $99 per raft | |||
| LARGE RAFT - 13ft - capacity 6 adults * | $139 per raft | |||
| * (for raft capacity, 2 children under 90 lbs = 1 adult) | ||||
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RAFTING TRIP TIPS
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| Rafts function best on this river at higher water levels, they are a bit clumsy in low water (canoes and kayaks do better in low water). Rafts provide a very stable platform, so they're ideal for families with minimal river running experience and also families with small children (our minimum age is 5 years). | ||||
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10 percent discounts for groups of 20 or more for any activity on any day. 20 percent discounts for any activity on any day regardless of group size for: |
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