South Fork Shenandoah River at Alma Landing (Route 340 Business)

This is an excellent and very popular access point to the South Fork. It's a pretty decent hand launching site for canoes and kayaks and occasionally we see jon boats launched here. Also a pretty nice place to wade fish in the summer months. The gravel ramp access is literally in the shadow of the Rte. 340 business bridge in Alma, South of Stanley. Interestingly the access point is downstream of a small island and many people have commented about how cool the water is during hot days on the backside of the island compared to the main river. Newport Landing is 2.5 miles upstream

White House Landing is 6 miles downstream

Staying as Safe As Possible:

River recreation carries inherent risk of injury, drowning or death. Most people cease using the South Fork when the USGS Luray South Fork Shenandoah River Gage is above 5 feet due to high flow volume. The river becomes very hard to navigate by canoe below 2 feet on the gage. Shenandoah Riverkeeper always suggests people use one of the many river outfitters (Downriver Canoe, Front Royal Canoe, Shenandoah River Outfitters, River Riders, River and Trail Outfitters) which exist along the river to rent you a tube/boat/raft and put you on an appropriate float and make recommendations about when the river is unsafe for recreation. But for people with some experience or those who would like to venture out on their own you may wish to heed some general guidelines Including:

1) Bring much more water than you think you'll need

2) Wear your life preserver and avoid the river when it's high or fast flowing from recent rain

3) Wear closed toed secure river shoes or tennis shoes at all times

4) Don't drink water from the river

5) Bring wet weather gear even on the hottest days (long summer thunderstorms can give you hypothermia)

6) If you have an open cut or scrape keep it out of the river

7) If you get a cut or scrape from the river, clean it out very very thoroughly right away and make sure no debris/algae or dirt remains in the cut. Disinfect. Keep Dry. River infections are extremely serious. If you suspect infection is developing in a cut after having contact with the river then seek medical attention immediately - emergency care if your doctor is unavailable. Signs of river infection are increasing redness or prolonged soreness, increasing swelling, wound odor and/or fever.

8) In cool weather dress in warm layers. Never wear cotton against your skin and this includes t-shirts and jeans.

9) Be aware of where you are in the river and become familiar with what your take-out point looks like if you're doing a float so you don't miss it and get stranded after dark.

10) Avoid wild animals

11) If thunderstorms develop you should have a plan which usually includes finding a place that reduces your chance of being struck by lightning and/or being hit by a falling branch or tree in high winds.

12)Fish and Boat with a partner

The description above was copied from or heavily based on Swim Guide, with permission.

More Information

• Swim Guide - Weather and water quality for S.F. Shenandoah at Alma Landing and 8,000 other beaches.