Cacapon
2. US 50 at Capon Bridge to WV 127 (Bloomery) Bridge (Caudy's Castle Section [Classic Run])
| Difficulty | II |
| Length | 11.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | Cacapon Rt 127 Calculated Gauge |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 67 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 18, 2025 |
River Description
Summary: This is a beautiful run on the upper reaches of the Cacapon. The major rapids are riverwide ledges and fastwater in sharp bends. Usually up in the winter and spring, the Cacapon features unusual rock formations, especially Caudy's Castle, a sheer rock pinnacle that looms hundreds of feet over the river.
Rapids: There are three ledges, with the third perhaps warranting a Class II+/III- rating because it can be sticky. The first ledge can be snuck on the far right. The second has a clean line on the center left. The third is about a 4 ft. cascading drop, and is best run to the right. The remaining rapids are Class I-II rock gardens, gravel bars and fastwater in sharp bends.
Access:
Capon Bridge put-in: The town of Capon Bridge just put in a public river access and parking lot right next to the water on Rt. 50. This put in adds about 4 miles of flat and Class I-II water meandering near private river properties. It's a nice stretch, but the best of this run (by far) is the stretch from Edwards Run onward.
Edwards Run put-in: For most paddlers, the Edwards Run/Cold Spring, WV put-in is the preferred put-in for the popular section of river down to the Rt. 127 take-out (Edwards Run to WV 127 is roughly seven and a half miles). It is located about four miles downstream (north) of Capon Bridge and avoids a section of mostly flatwater. The launch lies 0.6 miles upstream of the Edwards Run W.M.A. on the property of Mr. Sine, who owns the land on both sides of the road in this location. To get to the Edwards Run/Cold Spring put-in from the WV 127 take-out, take WV 127 west for 1.4 miles. WV 29 comes in from the right and the road becomes WV 29, but you continue straight. Stay on WV 29 for 4.9 additional miles (at total of 6.4), at the town of Slainsville, turn left onto Cold Stream Lane, go 8.7 miles until the road parallels the Cacapon (you cross the North River on the way -- don't confuse t
...River Features
Put In - Capon Bridge
There used to be a $5 fee per boat for put-in and parking, but the building that was here burned in 2021 and the town converted the property into a public river access.
Sandy Hollow Shoal
Class 1 Shoal
Allen Shoal
Class 1 Shoal
Edwards Run Shoal
Small shoal just downstream of the confluence with Edwards Run.
Put-In - At Edwards Run from Mr. Sine's private property.
Across the street from a house that burned down. There is a $5.00 per car fee for parking. Using this put-in shortens the run from 11.5 miles to a little over 7 miles with the loss of only some flatwater and shoals.
Little Darby Shoal
Class 1 Shoal
1st Ledge - "Darby's Nose"
The first ledge ('Darby's Nose') can be run on the far right, where there is an easy runout. The rest of the ledge, particularly up against the rock wall on the far left, creates a hole that can be retentive at certain water levels. Despite this, the ledge can usually, without event, be punched on a center left line, as long as the paddler is lined up straight, takes the drop aggressively and stays away from the far left rock wall.
Landslide Rapid
Class II- rapid
Tipperary Rock
Large, sheer rock that turns the river to the right. There is a anticline fold on the reverse side of this rock that forms a small 'A' or chapel formation.
Grumbler Rapid
Class II rapid
Little Lucia Rapid
Class II- rapid
Big Lucia Rapid
Some larger rocks here warrant a Class II rating, especially when the water is high. Usually cleanest on the right.
Mushroom Rock (Trickling Springs)
Trickling Springs emerges from a limestone formation resulting in a travertine overhang (known as Mushroom Rock) that releases underground water through a series of tiny waterfalls. AKA 'Fairy Falls'
Lazy J Rapid
Class II- rapid
2nd Ledge - "Chapel Rock"
Second ledge ('Chapel Rock') has a clean line on the center left. Once again, line the boat downstream and paddle aggressively over the ledge. Eddy below.
3rd Ledge - "Caudy's Castle Ledge"
The Third Ledge is usually cleanest in the center right. At usual water levels there is also a left to right slide that can avoid a stern thumping and that can set up a nice surf. It warrents a Class III- rating because it can be sticky.
Caudy's Castle is a visible rock outcropping on river left about a quarter mile below the third ledge.
Caudy's Castle Rock
Caudy's Castle Rock is a sandstone tower that stands 1,070 feet (326 m) above sea level and towers over the river.
The rock formation is named after James Caudy, an early Hampshire County pioneer and settler who fought off an attack by fifteen Native Americans from the rock during the French and Indian War. The pillar lies on the southern end of Castle Mountain.
A very steep path leads up to the rock from the river -- however, the rock lies on private property, so please secure permission from the owners before visiting and treat the area gently.
Hutchinson Rapid
Class II rapid. River splits into two channels. There is wood and pinning possibilities in the river right channel, so stay in the left channel.
Betty Doss Shoal
Last shoal before a 3/4 mile stretch of flat water leading up to the take-out at the bridge.
Take Out - WV 127 (Bloomery) Bridge
Just downstream of the bridge on the right (east) side of the river, there is a small parking lot with a boat ramp.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan it on the afternoon of the Fourth of July 2025. The gauge at Great Cacapon was at 3.0 feet and falling. The water was runnable, but a little low for my taste -- scraped the bottom a number of times, and the rapids were less fun. Still very runnable, beautiful, and fun though! Total trip lasted 4 hours, from the bridge in Capon Bridge to the bridge at Route 127.
We ran the Cacapon on 5/29/2025. Great Cacapon gauge well downstream was 3,800 cfs or 6.62'. Estimated cfs for this upstream reach was 1,600 - 1,800 cfs
Had an amazing trip on this stretch of the Cacapon (Great Cacapon gauge at 2.2 ft.). It was low, but I did minimal scraping. Anything lower than two feet, expect to get out of your boat and drag. The town of Capon Bridge demolished the old building that caught on fire and turned it into a gravel lot for public boat access! Really great move, and a really cute town. There are only three major rapids which were all super manageable at this level in my open face canoe (no float bags). The third is the largest with about a 4 ft cascading drop. Keep right and you'll be fine; I didn't even take on water! The scenery, the quiet, and the wildlife are all unbeatable. This is a true hidden gem and someplace I'll go again and again.
We ran this on 8/11/2024, two days after Hurricane Debby released a bunch of rain and the flood was subsiding. The water gauge at Great Cacapon was 3.6 and falling. Was a great, pleasant run. Water wasn't moving too fast, and the whole trip took 3.5 hours.
Saw lots of green herons, a few kingfishers, an osprey, and loads of turtles.
Darby's Nose Rapids at this water level: Drone footage
River gauge: https://www.weather.gov/erh/mmefs\_marfc?id=GCPW2&model=NAEFS
Ran this stretch on 5-20-22. The business at the usual put in at Rt.50 is indeed burned out, and the stairs and ramp are no longer maintained. A local gentleman took our picture for the community Facebook page, and directed us to the town parking lot a few blocks away to park our car for the weekend. The local police were gracious, and had no issue with us leaving our vehicle for the weekend. A new public access site with parking is being built by the state to the South and is supposed to open soon.. The river was at 3.3' and the drops and rock gardens were a breeze compared to when I had last run it at 2.5'. We stretched the trip to 2 nights for the sake of camping and hiking up Caudy's Castle, but it could easily be done in one day or a single night at 3'. Only 1 other group on the river that we saw, but there must have been more behind us because the lot at the take out was packed when we arrived Sunday morning. LOTS of wildlife, along with the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere for most of the trip. This is by far my favorite 'camping float'.
Ran it on 9/3/21, when the water gauge at Great Cacapon was at 3.9 feet and falling. Nice easy run.
Ran it again on 9/6/21 when the water gauge was at 2.1 feet and falling. Kept scraping the bottom.
Ran this stretch at 5-5.5 (river was rising while we were on it) back on 05/07/2016. Perfect level to run it. It makes the 4 miles of flatwater downstream from Capon Bridge a breeze and the ledges a lot of fun. Depending on how you run the ledges at this level, you can easily swamp an open boat (rec kayak or canoe) so I'd recommend a spray skirt/deck or bow and stern bags for the adventurous. Otherwise, some quick scouting can help you skirt the biggest holes and waves.
The descriptions of the beauty of this section don't do it justice. It's the most breathtaking trip I've had in WV and even beats out the famous 'Trough' of the S. Branch Potomac for just how beautiful it can be. It's not as secluded, so there is intrusion from vacation homes and cabins from time to time, but the mountains and rock formations more than make up for this.
No wood or other obstacles to report. Clean, fun, and beautiful run.
Has anyone run this stretch recently? I tried calling the store that has taken the place of the Red Rooster and the listed number is disconnected. WV DNR lists the Coldstream access, but it's an old site from 2003, so I don't know if that is correct anymore either. Looking to find out what a good put-in solution is for this run.
I run this whenever its up. except i put in on sandy hollow rd, its a bit back there...but cuts out the 4 miles of flat before the canyon. This a beautiful section and fun if its running. don't try it if its low, unless you have alot of patience and a beater boat, and sturdy shoes...and headlamps. Some locals and weekend cabiners fish it in canoes, but you gotta hate your boat to bring it here when its low.. start this run early and take your time admiring the geology and wildlife.