Welcome to the 31st annual
Russell Fork Rendezvous
With excellent restrooms and shower facilities, 30 full-service RV sites and a huge selection of both quiet and “right in the middle of the action” party camping sites available at the campground, it will not be the convenience of this location but the astounding beauty of the Thunder River Campground in Haysi, VA. that will make it abundantly clear why we chose this location as the site of the Russell Fork Rendezvous.
Rather you come solely for the festival or decide to take advantage of the other festivities we hold every weekend in October at the Ratliff Hole Campground, just outside of Elkhorn City, KY. You’ll quickly understand the magic of Russell Fork season and why the Russell Fork Rendezvous is not only a truly unique event but why so many paddlers call the Russell Fork home.
2025 Russell Fork Rendezvous
Welcome to the 31st Anniversary of the Russell Fork Rendezvous. This years festival will be held at the Thunder River Campground in beautiful Haysi, Va.
1558 Splashdam Rd, Haysi, VA 24256
As always, we want to thank the communities that support us and take seriously our duty to support them.
We encourage everyone to follow the example of the festival and hold off purchasing as many supplies as possible until you’re within 20 miles of the festival grounds.
2025 Russell Fork Season
Another exciting season at Ratliff Hole.
With the Russell Fork Rendezvous in it’s 31st year, the festival will be celebrating both the culture and the history of the Russell Fork for the entire month of October. There’s a ton of stuff to do and with the festival capping the month of October at the Thunder River Campground in Haysi, Va. this will be the best season of boating on the Russell Fork in a long time.
As has been the tradition, the Russell Fork Rendezvous, with the help of the Breaks Park will be keep the Ratliff Hole campground open every weekend in October, starting on October 2nd.
Want to come to the Russell Fork but looking for other camping options?
Breaks Park: Want to camp at the park or stay at the lodge? With better shower options than Ratliff Hole and amazing scenery, it’s hard to go wrong with a stay at the park. Check out the website at https://www.breakspark.com/
Mountain Top Campground: Located near the festival grounds in Haysi, Va. Mountain Top Campground offers plenty of space, excellent restroom and shower facilities and plenty of water and power hookups for RVs. It’s also closer to the put in for the upper Russell Fork with easy access to plenty of horseback and dirt bike riding. https://www.campspot.com/book/mountaintopcampground
Ratliff Hole Camping: Camping at Ratliff Hole is still available during race weekend. Sites are 30.00 per site, which come with a free pass to the festival. Special rates for the festival are available for Lord of the Fork race volunteers and the racers.
Buy Local: Regardless of rather you’re camping at the festival grounds or any of the other available options, we believe strongly in supporting the communities that support us as well as our duty to support them. Buy Local.
– Announcements –
2025 Russell Fork River October release schedule.
Thanks to the support of the Corps of Engineers and the participation of kayakers throughout the region as well as kayaking associations like American Whitewater, the Bluegrass Wildwater Association and the Viking Canoe Club, the Corps of Engineers will once again be offering an expanded release schedule for the upcoming Russell Fork season. The first full release for October will be on October 3rd – 5th at 800 cfs, with the last release being October October 24th – 26th of 2025 at 1000 cfs.
Thunder River Campground
For 2024, the Russell Fork Rendezvous moves to Thunder River Campground.
Although we can’t thank the Haysi Kiwanis Club enough for their support over the years and truly embrace their mission of supporting children’s charities on a global scale, this year, the Russell Fork Rendezvous will be moving to a larger venue at the Thunder River Campground in Haysi, Va. (1558 Splashdam Rd, Haysi, VA 24256). With 30 RV sites, restrooms, shower facilities, food trucks as well as tons of primitive camping options, Thunder River is an ideal location for the festival.
Want to learn more. Check it out.
– 2025 Festival Details –
Arrival
Thunder River Campground will be open for camping Wednesday, Oct 22nd through Tuesday morning, Oct 28th. for those camping throughout the festival at the festival grounds.
Due to it’s unique layout, and the ability to park right at your campsite, the festival offers a wide range of camping options. From quiet camping options and full service RV spots to the “Bring on the Party” choices, the festival offers something special for everyone. With plenty to do, the festival opens for camping starting on Wednesday, Oct. 22nd and for those that have camped at the festival for the entire weekend and trying to get in that last run on the Russell Fork, doesn’t shut down until Tuesday morning on October 28th. Regardless of your choice, you won’t go wrong staying at the festival. Admission is $50.00 pp for the entire festival. Full service RV spots are an additional $20.00 per RV for the entire 6 days. Can’t wait to see you there.
We are not responsible for lost or stolen items, so please secure your belongings upon arrival.
Camping
The festival site at Thunder River Campground has plenty of space for camping and plenty of options. Rather you like to be right in the middle of the action or enjoy a nice quiet place to get away, the festival, with it’s beautiful scenery offers plenty of both. With modern restrooms and showers, plenty of full service RV spots and both quiet and party camping options, you’ll be glad you decided to stay. Unlike the primitive camping at Ratliff Hole, the Festival grounds offer camping from Wednesday, October 22nd all the way up to Tuesday morning, October 28th.
There is additional camping in Haysi at the Mountain Top Campground, as well as a few miles away at the Breaks Interstate park. We are not affiliated with these camping areas so all reservations and questions should be directed to them.
Atmosphere
The Russell Fork Rendezvous is a celebration of the Russell Fork River and the unique area that surround it. You should expect a relaxed atmosphere with music, drums, dancing, fires, hoops, and blatant exaggerations of exploits on the river.
You do not need to be a whitewater enthusiast to enjoy Rendezvous, there are plenty of other options such as hiking, mountain bike riding and exploring the truly beautiful countryside. The festival itself includes something for everyone, from huge bonfires, live music, and shuttles to the trailhead for the race, it’s more than just a spectacle, it is truly an event you’ll be glad you were a part of.
Paddling
The Russell Fork River offers something for boaters of every skill level. Novices or anyone looking for a fun float can put on right at Carson Island and take out in Elkhorn City. Intermediate boaters can hone their skills on the upper or lower sections. Advanced boaters may choose to take on the gorge, or even participate in the Lord of the Forks race on Saturday (requires expert skill and knowledge of the run).
The upper and lower sections can also be rafted or shredded.
Learn more about the river here.
Food & Drink
Rendezvous is a strictly BYOB event and we encourage everyone to keep the refuge to a minimum. Trash containers will be provided but we ask that everyone deposit their trash in the dumpsters by the front entrance at the end of the festival.
As is the custom with the festival, we make every effort to support the communities that are supporting us so we ask that, whenever possible you make your purchases either within the fairgrounds or directly from businesses within the boater friendly town of Haysi. We try our best to support the local community and encourage everyone to do the same.
Other stuff to do
There’s plenty to do at Rendezvous and in the surrounding areas! Aside from the many events during the festival and the live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, both Haysi and the nearby Breaks Interstate Park offers abundant hiking and biking trails. Read more about the area’s attractions here.
There will be live music starting on Thursday night at 10 pm thru and Saturday night on the main stage. View the music lineup here.
-Live Music-
We are currently booking our line up for the 2025 festival and will update once the musical schedule is set.
