Rapidan, Virginia, US

Shenandoah National Park to Route 29 (Upper Rapidan)

Usual Difficulty	II-IV (for normal flows)
Length	15 Miles
Avg. Gradient	20 fpm
Max Gradient	85 fpm

Gauge Information

Name	Range	Difficulty	Updated	Level
RAPIDAN RIVER NEAR CULPEPER, VA
usgs-01667500	4.00 - 6.00 ft	II-IV	00h48m	1.57 ft (rc= -1.2 )

River Description

Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett

The Upper Rapidan and its nearby sibling the Conway are Class III whitewater runs that start at the Shenandoah National Park boundary. Both rivers suffered extensive damage in the 1995 flood and were essentially "rebuilt", which means they were cleared of debris and a new cobbled river bed was created for them. Due to the gradient in the upper sections of these rivers, this makes for a pretty exciting first section.

The river overall has a variety of hazards, including fences, cattle gates and low water bridges.

To run the best 8 miles, use the alternate takeout at Rt. 230. Below this, the river calms down to a Class II. There is a dangerous low head dam right above Rt. 29 that should be portaged left.