Things to Do > Nature/Trails > Fries to Byllesby New River Canoe Route

Fries, VA 24330

Virginia's New River offers excellent opportunities for the avid canoeing fan. Nearly seven miles of the New River passes through northwest Carroll County. The scenery of the river is spectacular and flows alongside the New River Trail State Park. According to the Galax-Grayson-Carroll Visitor's Guide, this stretch of river starts with: "Launch at the public landing in the Fries Town park/New River Trail State Park Heading upstream will yield outstanding fishing below the dam. Downstream, this stretch passes the double shoals below Fries and under the 1,089-foot trestle on the New River Trail into the flat waters behind Byllesby Dam, an American Electric Power hydro facility.

Directions: Launch at the VDGIF boat landing on river left off Rt. 94 at Riverside Park in the town of Fries. A broad river channel and loads of ledges and rock structure greet the boater. If you can pick your way up to Fries Dam one-half mile upstream, sharp rock ledges and deep currents produce trophy smallmouth bass and cannel catfish all the way to the slow waters of Byllesby Dam just below the confluence of Chestnut Creek. These waters can be jigged or live bait fished for big flatheads and cannel catfish, as well as walleye and smallmouth bass. Take out about one mile above Byllesby Dam at a ramp at the end of Route 739 near Riverhill.

View Map and Driving Directions

Carroll County Office of Tourism: (276) 730-3100

Email: Tourism@VisitVirginiaBlueRidgeMountains.com