New
05. McCoy Falls to Eggleston(McCoy Falls)
| Difficulty | I-II(III) |
| Length | 3.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | New River at Radford, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 45 minutes | 1.97 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | September 14, 2024 |
River Description
The put-in at McCoy Falls (technically 'Big Falls' at McCoy) was the site of the New River Rodeo for years. This popular event drew quite a crowd of competitors, vendors, and spectators. When the land around the access area changed hands the new landowner didn't want anything to do with the event and it had to be discontinued. The loss of this event was quite a blow to the VA paddling community, even more so because a replacment venue has never been found.
Although this is the put-in for a beginner and fisherman float (McCoy to Eggleston) the real story for whitewater paddlers here is Park-n-Play. Just 15 minutes from Blacksburg/VA Tech and a short drive from the rest of the New River Valley, this spot provides great play when the water is over 3 feet.
This is also very popular tubing location with a company located half a mile upstream renting tubes to every drunken college kid in the state. Luckily (or unluckily, as the case may be) most of the time when it is warm enough to tube the water isn't high enough to bring out the boaters (the exception being the month of May).
2 guys playing Big Falls , lvl ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gji1r79nn7o (8 min)
See Also:
New River Water Trail for maps and info.
New River - maps and directions from Virginia DWR.
Classic Virginia Rivers, Ed Grove (1992 ed), p. 307.
Virginia Whitewater, Roger Corbett (2000 ed.), p. 476.
Exploring Virginia's Waterways, Ed Gertler (2022 ed.), p. 343.
River Features
Down Under (a.k.a. The Upper Hole)
Down Under at McCoy Falls is past the first large slanted slab that you pass when paddling out above the rapid from river right The play hole is just past the end of the slab, before the next boulder. There is good play at levels over 3.5 and great eddy access from behind the slab.
Put-In - McCoy Falls (aka Big Falls at McCoy)
This series of ledges can range in difficulty from class II-III+ depending on the level. At most levels its class II+ with several great playspots at levels over 3 feet.
Ender Hole
Ender Hole at McCoy Falls is located 10 yards to the right of the largest boulder (aka Frat Boy Rock) near the river left side of the rapid and to the left of the next large slab of rock. This hole is a favorite of many and comes in at levels over 3'.
Take Out - Eggleston (Ingles Landing)
To get to the Eggleston access (Ingles Landing) from McCoy Falls (Big Falls), drive downstream on Rt. 625 (Big Falls Rd./Goodwins Ferry). Eventually it leaves the river and climbs up to intersect with Rt. 730 (Eggleston Rd.). Turn left at the stop sign. After crossing the bridge over the New, take the first left, then bear left, cross the railroad tracks, turn left again, and then immediately right into the access area.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan this tandem 8/7/2021 from above McCoy Falls to Pembroke at 2.6 ft on the Radford Gauge. McCoy Falls is a II to II+ at that level. I think the right up undersells the rest of the trip. There are pretty regular class I to II ledge style rapids between McCoy Falls and Eggleston and the scenery is lovely. Really no long flat stretches on that piece of the run. Maybe a drag in a whitewater kayak, but delightful in OC2.
We got out of school for snow so we had to do something fun.
Mike D. attempting to learn some new moves.
At levles over 3.5 the upper playhole is very fast and fun.
The large boulder on river left at McCoy falls is commonly called 'frat boy rock' because of all the drunken frat boys from area colleges that are always jumping off of it when the weather is hot. Here Mike D runs just to the right of Frat Boy Rock