Rappahannock
2. Remington (Route 15/29) to Kellys Ford
| Difficulty | II+ |
| Length | 4.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 12 fpm |
| Gauge | Rappahannock River at Remington, Va |
| Flow Rate as of 44 minutes | 3.01 ftbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | October 6, 2024 |
River Description
This one is fire and ice. It starts with 3 miles of moving flatwater through pastoral countryside, then ends with just over a mile of Class II+ whitewater at the end. There is a new Remington Rappahannock put-in that is described below under River Features. The first minor rapid, Railroad Rapids, can be seen 150 yards downstream. The next three miles are flat but pretty, with 10 ft banks shielding you from the surrounding farmland. On my last trip here I saw herons, turtles and a bald eagle.
The action starts after a gas pipeline crosses the river. There is a very small drop here, and vegetation is partially cleared on both banks. After a minor rock garden, you will approach 'Sandy Beach' Rapids, the largest rapid (Class II+) on this section of the river. This rapid can be bank scouted on the right. The actual sandy beach is posted and located below the rapid on river left. You then pass through a succession of rock gardens as well as two more Class II rapids and one Class II+ ('Piggly Wiggly' rapid). As you go through 'Piggly Wiggly' rapid, the Kellys Ford bridge swings into view. Take out on river right at the public boat launch parking lot. The adventurous can run the boat launch itself, a Class II move.
Both the putin and takeout were the scenes of minor Civil War skirmishes. The Rappahannock served as a de facto border between the North and South during the war, and springtime flooding of the river complicated many a Northern general's plans.
*An Alternative put-in exists 0.85 miles north of the take-out, on Kelly's Ford Road at the Wildlife Management Access. This access involves a 0.45 mile walk down a gravel road, then take a left at the civil war monument and follow a 200 yard faint trail system down to the river. This will put you on river right above Sandy Beach Rapid
*Another alternative put-in exists - 0.48 miles north of the take-out on Summerduck road - at the Handi-cap Hunting Access. This involves a 0.25 mi
...River Features
Put In - Remington
There is a new Remington Rappahannock access, on the north side of the river, downstream from the 'old' put-in and upstream from the railroad bridge. It is very easy to access the new put-in, from business 15 south, bear left on River road, just past the Andes store. The put-in is at the end of the road.
Sandy Beach Rapid
'Sandy Beach' Rapids is the largest rapid (Class II+) on this section of the river. This rapid can be bank scouted on river right. The actual sandy beach is posted no trespassing and located below the rapid on river left.
Piggly Wiggly Rapid
As you go through 'Piggly Wiggly' rapid, the Kellys Ford bridge swings into view.
Take Out - Kelly's Ford
The take-out is at Kelly's Ford on river right at the public boat ramp parking lot
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportMight be Sandy Beach rapids at low water. I don't recall perfectly.
Taken from river left on what is likely private property.
Put in, in the town of Remington has no parking signs everywhere, spoke with friendly gal at BP gas station just on edge of town near bridge, you can park directly across from the BP at that small gravel lot--really easy walk to put in, drop boats at put in first, no berm on road. Take out at Kelly's Ford has a wooden ramp...very nice. Level was 4.34ft today, 46F air temp, sunny and the best way to spend the day after Christmas! Morgan suffered through the bountiful flat water that runs pretty much 75% of this run until we got to the class 1+ perhaps class 2 rapids near the end. Suspect Class II+ rating comes from the technical nature of the rapids when they do appear, beautiful rock gardens. Keep your eyes peeled! Great place to do river exercises as Morgan put me through ferrying back and forth across the rocky rapids, eddy hopping behind boulders from one side of river to the other as well as side surfing baby ledges. Will come back at 6ft to see some of those big boulders buried with water and producing yummy holes to play in.
Really fun section - technical rock garden with lots of lines and wave trains
There will soon be a public put-in just above the bridge, so the grumpy landowner issues will end.
Definitely leave your car in town. There is a town lot behind the Exxon and the walk is not bad. If you leave your car on the southeast side of 29 the landowner will egg it. I plan on disturbing all the wildlife, urinating and crapping on private land, shooting, littering and all because I am special.
Ed Evangelidi testifies:
There are occasional landowner problems at the put-in. Keep this in mind and keep your visit brief here. If you see fresh
David Colby runs Sandy Beach Rapids, one of the larger drops on this section of the Rappahannock.
This hole burried me up to my chest. It is RR below the drop at sandy beach you will see a little boil right befor you get to it. Higher levels it might put you in over your head.
about 10 feet infront of me is the hole.