Shenandoah River at Lockes Landing: This is a Game Department (VDGIF) managed concrete boat ramp and parking area. You'll find the ramp along Lockes Mill Road (Rt. 621) directly across from the gravel parking lot. Expect easy launching of canoes, kayaks, innertubes and shallow drafting jon boats and jet boats. Please note that swimming, camping and loitering are not permitted at VDGIF managed ramps. Access is for fishing and boating only. The river averages about 100 yards wide. Floating downstream from Lockes Landing you will find this is one of the shallower floats on the entire river system. Though still pretty easy to navigate there are sections of river where the water will average a mere foot deep, sometimes with pebble bottom, sometimes pure meandering bedrock. Fishing is best for Smallmouth Bass and redbreast sunfish during late spring summer and fall.

Castlemans Ferry Landing is 5 miles downstream.

Berrys Ferry Landing is 9.5 miles upstream. Water Levels:

1) Avoid Floating/boating when the water levels are over 4.o feet on the USGS Front Royal South Fork Shenandoah River Gage

2) Avoid Floating/boating when there are large floating objects dislodged during high water

3) Avoid Swimming in muddy or very discolored water

4) When levels are under 1.2 feet at the USGS Front Royal Gage this float becomes very shallow for floating/boating. Leave extra time. Wear good river shoes. Staying as Safe As Possible:

River recreation carries inherent risk of injury, drowning or death. Shenandoah Riverkeeper always suggests people use one of the many river outfitters that exist along the river to rent you a tube/boat/raft and put you on an appropriate float. 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

3) Wear closed-toe 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.

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 branch or tree in high winds.

12)Boat and fish 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 Shenandoah River at Lockes Landing and 8,000 other beaches.