S.F. Shenandoah at Bealers Ferry Landing

South Fork Shenandoah River at Bealers Ferry Landing An extremely popular river access point for boating and wading, this is one of several accesses along Page Valley Road on river left. Page Valley Road is a long dead-end road which provides access to many vacation homes located between the South Fork Shenandoah and Massanutten Mountain. This access point has a concrete boat ramp for launching all kinds of shallow running river boats. This access is also very close to Shenandoah River Outfitters and is among the launches they use in their normal operations. Bealers Ferry is actually located on GW National Forest Property that extends down the left bank for about a mile and is peppered along the left bank on and off for the next 15 miles making for some excellent rustic riverside camping trips. You can float down to Bealers Ferry from Bixler Bridge/Inskeep Landing for about an 8 mile float. If you want to float downstream you can go 3 miles to Fosters Landing, 5 miles to Goods Landing or 8 miles to Seekford Landing. History has it that the last three 80 foot gundalow trade boats to navigate the Shenandoah launched just downstream from here in 1889. 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 5.0 feet due to high flow volume. The river becomes very hard to navigate by canoe below 1.8 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