Greenbrier River in West Virginia

Trip Overview

Troop 384, Athens, WV, went off on our yearly family canoe trip over the Memorial Day weekend to Dilley's Mill, Buckskin Council's BSA camp. We arrived at Dilley's Mill on Friday and occupied 2 of the cabins and the bunkhouse, and then started throwing boats into the lake there.

On Saturday morning, we started the day with canoe drills and instruction. By the afternoon, we had gotten everyone up to speed for the next days paddling on Greenbrier River. That afternoon, we had speed and distance races, followed by a slalom race that would help develop the skills needed for an easy river trip.

Sunday morning, we arrived in Marlinton, WV and put the boats in the river at the state put in. We then set the shuttles at Sebert, near Watoga State Park. There was a slight drizzle as we pulled out from Marlinton, and the water was at 3ft on the gage there. When the water is that high, you could almost lose your paddle at the start of the trip, and grab a tree limb at the take out, and be OK. The fishing was still good, even though the water was so high, and many of the scouts and adults on the trip caught smallies and redeyes. The rain quit about 6 miles down stream, and the sun came out and the scenery was wonderful.

The river is lined by the WV hiking, biking and skiing trail, that was a railroad. The tracks were removed from Ronceverte to Durban, and for many miles are the only signs of man.

This trip is a good one for beginners and fishermen, when the water is up, and can be a very technical (rock dodging) when low. The trip is about 10 miles long, and can take from 3 to 8 hours to complete, depending on the fishing and how high the water is, or how low it is and if the rock you hit was slick enough for the boat to go on, without getting out and dragging.

Accommodations:

Marlinton is a ski town and has many nearby motels and camp grounds.

Directions:

From Lewisburg, WV, go North on US 219 to Marlinton. Cross the bridge over the Greenbrier, can't miss it, and the put in is near a little park, just up stream of the bridge.

Resources:

Just need a WV Official State Highway Map, they have the major put in and take outs on them.