I am planning a float trip from Big Falls to Bluff City, on the New River. I am looking to camp somewhere between Pembroke and Ripplemead.
Does anyone know of a decent area to camp (primitive) that can hold a group of about 10?
River Left, across from old Klotz Quarry
has a nice big sandbar most of the year. Its about 1 mile below the US 460 bridge at Ripplemead. Nice big swimming hole and rapid to play in too.
update: new park
i just discovered that a new park just opened between Pembroke and Ripplemead with canoe in camping for $2 per person. This sounds like a great option for our group (10+). If anyone has camped there, i would be curious to hear of your experience.
The Whitt-Riverbend Park is a 27 acre property fronting along 3/4 mile of the New River located in Pearisburg, Giles County, Virginia. The parcel has been transformed into a regional park, greenway and conservation area owned and maintained by the Town of Pearisburg. The park includes interpretive nature trails, picnic areas, boat access ramps, primitive camping sites and riparian conservation areas. The site lies in a large bend of the New River and includes approximately 400 feet of frontage along Walker Creek at its confluence with the New River.
http://www.floatfishermen.org/Whittriverbendpark.html
http://www.pearisburg.org/recreation.htm