Clinch
2. Pucketts Hole to Nash Ford(Clinch River Gorge)
| Difficulty | I-III |
| Length | 8.2 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 17 fpm |
| Gauge | Clinch River at Cleveland, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 245 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 11, 2026 |
River Description
This is a fairly mild section of river perfect for beginners at the appropriate levels. It also has some good play on it at various levels as well. Pucketts hole is good at all levels up to around 3000? which it starts to change. I do know of some holes downstream from the put in that were good enough to surf a raft in at low water levels, so they should be kickin for playboats. This run is commonly combined with the Big Cedar Creek run which in turn provides the only 'exciting' whitewater in the gorge. After the Big Cedar confluence the river has a couple of surprises in store for the unwary. A series of nice ledges downstream of the confluence will form some big holes at higher levels but shouldn't be a problem at levels up to 3000 cfs. After this the river pretty much runs out of steam and makes way to the takeout near Nash Chapel Church on river left. When the river starts splitting around the islands, go left and stay there to make the take out.
See Also:
Classic Virginia Rivers, Ed Grove (1992 ed), p. 323.
Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 393.
Exploring Virginia's Waterways, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 362.
River Features
Put In - Puckett's Hole
Put in at Puckett's Hole, a Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources access point on river right. From Chestnut Rd. (Rt. 652), turn into the narrow, gravel Shepard Hollow Rd. which can be a little rough but not quite 4WD territory. Parking but no facilities. Rapid/playspot at upstream end of access area.
Big Cedar Creek confluence
Big Cedar Creek confluence, river left.
Double Ledges
Double Ledges is a two-part rapid in quick succession, with an overall drop of about 6 feet. The ledges are at an angle to the flow, with the left side further downstream and generally having more water. It can be difficult to match up a good route on the upper ledge with one on the lower ledge. The easiest route may be along the right bank. Class II or III depending on water level and your route. This is the last significant rapid before the takeout.
Take Out - Nash Ford
Take out at Nash Ford, a developed access on river left upstream of the bridge. From New Garden Rd. (Rt. 645) turn onto the gravel River Front Dr. (Rt. 798) at the church and drive upstream a short distance. Parking but no facilities.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThis is a great section of river. At 720 cfs it was low but just fine until near the end, where ledges spread the water out, and I bumped rocks a few times. At this flow the trip took 3 hours. Really clear water, and a great constant gradient. It's just one riffle, rapid, and ledge after another, and you barely need to paddle. The only significant pools are at the Big Cedar confluence, and in the last mile or so, after Double Ledge. The rapids become a bit bigger after the confluence, with Double Ledge the most challenging at II+ or III- depending on the route. Great scenery with steep hillsides and cliffs, and relatively minimal human intrusion, although there's a fair amount of trash on the banks unfortunately. Saw mergansers, geese, herons, kingfishers, sizable fish at the Big Cedar confluence, lots of snails and mussels.