4250 Walnut Creek Road
North Garden, Virginia 22959
(434) 296-5844
Website
Walnut Creek Park4250 Walnut Creek Road
North Garden, Virginia 22959
The Mobile Visitor Centers have closed for the 2024 calendar year and will not restart until March 2025. Visitors looking for information can call 434-293-6789 for information.
More InfoExplore our rivers, lakes, and reservoirs
Situated between two rivers with a number of lakes and reservoirs in-between, Charlottesville and Albemarle County offers tons of opportunities to enjoy the water. Read on for recommendations on where to kayak, canoe, tube, and stand-up paddleboard.
Explore popular paddling and tubing routes in Charlottesvilel and Albemarle County.
WaterwaysTwo rivers make their way through and along Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
The Rivanna River, the first designated scenic river in Virginia, runs along Charlottesville on the north and east city limits and, at its closest point, can be accessed just a mile from the downtown mall. Most paddlers will enjoy a trip down the river from Darden Towe Park to Riverview Park, which is approximately 2 miles in length and takes about 1 – 2 hours. The Rivanna Sampler, as it is coined by local outfitter Rivanna River Company, has great facilities at both the put-in and take-out and is connected by paved walking and biking paths that make it easy to travel from one end to the other. More advanced routes can be found by taking the river south past Riverview Park to Milton Landing, or you can start at Brookhill Park below the dam for the South Fork Rivanna River Reservoir and make it a full day by paddling all the way to Riverview Park.
The Mighty James River borders southern Albemarle County at the town of Scottsville. The river starts on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and makes its way through the state capital of Richmond on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. The James is often used for multi-day kayaking and canoe trips, and multiple camping options can be found along the river.
Scottsville was the historic hub where the James' powerful waters were used for transportation and trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, and it is also where you'll find one of the last poled ferry rides in the United States. The ferry takes riders across the James at Hatton Ferry and many water-goers will utilize the stretch of river upstream from Scottsville as a relaxing journey with smaller rapids and speeds along this section. After your day on the river, explore Scottsville's Valley Street where you'll find restaurants, shops, and a local microbrewery.
For those looking for a low-key paddle on a flat body of water, or calm enough waters for paddleboard yoga, you'll find options at a number of parks within Albemarle County such as Walnut Creek Park, Totier Creek Park, Chris Greene Lake and Beaver Creek Lake. Each of these have great put-ins for watercraft and beautiful scenery of the surrounding mountains.
If you are looking for a still water option a bit closer to the city, check out the Ragged Mountain Natural Area. This park has a large reservoir that's great for paddling, as well as a number of hiking trails that surround the reservoir. You can also head to the South Fork Rivanna River Reservoir which sits just north of Charlottesville. If you are lucky, you may even spot the University of Virginia Rowing team as they use this reservoir as the site for practice and tournaments.
Elemental Experiences offers stretch and meditation paddle experiences on stand up paddle boards at Beaver Creek Park in Crozet, VA, located about twenty minutes from Downtown Charlottesville. Book a session through their website. All equipment is provided, all you have to do is show up!
4250 Walnut Creek Road
North Garden, Virginia 22959
(434) 296-5844
Website
Walnut Creek Park4250 Walnut Creek Road
North Garden, Virginia 22959
9290 Totier Creek Road
Scottsville, Virginia 24590
(434) 296-5844
Website
Totier Creek Park9290 Totier Creek Road
Scottsville, Virginia 24590
4748 Chris Greene Lake Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22911
(434) 296-5844
Website
Chris Greene Lake Park4748 Chris Greene Lake Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22911
4365 Beaver Creek Park Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
(434) 296-5844
Website
Beaver Creek Park4365 Beaver Creek Park Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
Fishing is available at both the Rivanna and James Rivers as well as many local reservoirs and creeks. Visit Orvis, Great Outdoor Provision Co., or the Albemarle Angler to find experts who can outfit you with all the gear you need, provide lessons, or even plan trips to popular fishing sites.
Fly fishing is popular at Moorman's River which flows out of the southeast corner of Shenandoah National Park below Sugar Hollow Reservoir.
1129 Emmet St #26, Barracks Road Shopping Center
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
(434) 977-6882
Website
The Albemarle Angler1129 Emmet St #26, Barracks Road Shopping Center
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
2020 Bond Street, Suite 110
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
(434) 975-0210
Website
Orvis Charlottesville Retail Store2020 Bond Street, Suite 110
Charlottesville, Virginia 22901
1137 Emmet Street N.
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
(434) 995-5669
Website
Great Outdoor Provision Co.1137 Emmet Street N.
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
If you're looking to rent or purchase gear before your paddling adventure, visit these local outfitters for everything you need!
Note: Water levels vary throughout the year — especially during the summer — due to seasonal rainfall. Be sure to check with these rental companies before your trip to see if current water levels will make for an enjoyable experience.
Located along the Rivanna River and Rivanna Trail near Free Bridge in Charlottesville, this outfitter has numerous rental items including canoes, kayaks, tubes, and paddle boards. They can shuttle you to multiple points along the Rivanna and provide guided trips for those looking for a bit more instruction on the water.
The Rivanna River Company is a beautiful place to have a picnic, watch wild birds, grab a cold drink, or take home some local art in their small general store. In the summertime, it's home to events such as the Rivanna Roots Concert Series and Rivanna Riverfest. In the wintertime, book a session at their handcrafted, wood-fired sauna. Take a cold plunge in the river, then enjoy a hot pot of tea, snacks, and the beauty of the winter day along the river.
One of two outfitters near Scottsville, James River Runners is located on the North side of the Hatton Ferry crossing of the James River and provides rental equipment such as tubes, kayaks, canoes and rafts. They also provide shuttles for your personal boats. James River Runners offers trips ranging from a short half day float to a two-day overnight trip. They also have a campground on the banks of the historic James river and boast some of the best small mouth fishing in the state.
James River Reeling and Rafting is located just off Highway 6 in Scottsville, right in front of the public boat launch. They provide rental equipment such as tubes, kayaks, and canoes, as well as a number of river trips of varying lengths and difficulty. This outfitter also provides riverside camping right at the boat launch in downtown Scottsville. Check out the Boat-N-Float and Boat-N-Boat overnight packages with longer sections of river upstream and downstream from Scottsville, perfect for the all-day outdoor enthusiast.
265 Ferry Street
Scottsville, Virginia 24590
(434) 286-4386
Website
10092 Hatton Ferry Road
Scottsville, Virginia 24590
(434) 286-2338
Website
Looking for a new kayak or paddleboard? Great Outdoor Provision Co. in the Barracks Road Shopping Center has you covered. "GOPC" (as it's known to locals) offers a diverse range of watercrafts from well-known brands such as Hobie, Old Town, and Badfish SUP. They also carry almost everything for your outdoor adventures, and commonly coordinate group outings in the area.
1137 Emmet Street N.
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
(434) 995-5669
Website
1717 Allied Street
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
(434) 260-4026
Website
The annual Rivanna Riverfest is a celebration of the river that takes place in the spring with everything from live music to nature scavenger hunts. The all-day event happens at Rivanna River Company with vendors and activities of all kinds, including booths from local environmental organizations that advocate for and support greater stewardship of the river.
Also taking place at Rivanna River Company is the Rivanna Roots Summer Concert Series, put on by the outfitter, Front Porch Music School. All summer long, concertgoers can bring a blanket or foldable chair and grab a spot on the grass to enjoy the music. Local food trucks and brewers set up on-site, with ticket and drink sales benefiting the Front Porch Roots and Wings Community Outreach program. Tickets are $14 in advance and $16 at the door, and children under 12 are free. Well-behaved and leashed doggos are welcome, too!
The James River Batteau Festival also takes place every year in the Town of Scottsville on the James River. The festival welcomes in batteau crews as they make their way on the annual 8-day trek from Lynchburg to Richmond on their flat-bottomed wooden boats. Scottsville serves as the approximate half-way point and a celebration with food, music, and more awaits the crews. If you are in the area during the week of June 15th to the 22nd, this is a spectacle worth seeing. And if you are looking to take your own tour on a batteau, look no further than the James River Batteau Company who provides river tours and sunset cruises out of Scottsville.
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience on our website. Learn more.
Quick Search
Full Search