New River Rendezvous 2026
The annual New River Rendezvous over Labor Day weekend is coming up! Members of several paddling clubs converge at Ray’s Campground in Hico, WV to enjoy novice through advanced trips on the New River or other nearby rivers depending on water levels. Trips are organized during our morning gatherings. On Saturday 9/5 we will meet at Ray’s Campground at 10am by the picnic tables behind the office. We’ll meet at 9am on Sunday 9/6 and Monday 9/7. If you are driving there Saturday morning then try to allow time to throw camping gear out of the car so you’ll be useful for shuttles.
This trip is ordinarily open to almost all levels of paddlers, though if you’ve never been in a boat before then you aren’t ready. At typical summer water levels the upper sections of the New are pretty newbie friendly (class II) while the gorge offers more difficult rapids (class III-IV). With rain other options open up.
Ray’s has reservable and non-reservable tent sites. There are still a few reservable sites left as of posting this but they will probably go quickly with the holiday weekend. There are usually walk-in sites left that weekend – you might just need to share with fellow boaters. At last count it was $11 per person per night. Electric sites are $9 extra. In past years they have accepted cash, check, credit card, and Venmo. Dogs must be leashed. Please respect quiet hours. You can reserve spots at https://www.rayscampground.com or 304-658-4386
GPS user note, GPS directions are not reliable for put ins and take outs, though things have improved (Google doesn’t place you mid-bridge for Fayette Station and instruct you to hike 800ft down last I checked 😂). Please look at a map and/or follow people who know the way. GPS may or may not accurately take you to the campground. I recommend at least glancing at a map or two before you head out.
I’ll post this to Coastals, the Monocacy Canoe Club, Carolina Canoe Club, TRPC, and Keelhaulers. Feel free to cross-post to other clubs too.
SYOTR,
Savanna Klein
All participants in any Carolina Canoe Club (CCC) trip do so as common adventurers. The CCC or its individual members may coordinate paddling trips but no one is considered leader of a trip. As common adventurers, all participants take the responsibility for making their own decisions including, but not limited to, whether it is safe for them to participate on any particular water body, what equipment they need and use, the routes they may choose to paddle, whether their skill levels and abilities are adequate for the activity or whether climate and water conditions are appropriate for their participation. Participants are exclusively responsible for their own safety.
Individual coordinators for all CCC activities set requirements per their sole discretion. The CCC does not necessarily endorse or approve requirements set by coordinators.