If you’re looking to go kayaking or canoeing in Virginia you have plenty of great paddling locations.

Many Virginia State Parks have kayaking and canoeing on their lakes and rivers. Some even have canoe and kayak rentals. There are also two Blueways in Virginia; the Franklin County Blueway and the Matthews Blueway Water Trail.

 

Click on the links below to find some of the best places to kayak, canoe, and paddle in Virginia.

Some places require a fee, so always check before you paddle.

Virginia State Parks

Many park locations have kayaking or canoeing. If you don’t have a kayak or canoe you may be able to rent one.

The Franklin County Blueway: This blueway has kayaking and canoeing on the Pigg River, Blackwater River, Smith River, and Roanoke River Gorge.

Pigg River

The Pigg River is Franklin County’s first Blueway. This is an 8 mile float. Put in at Waid Park. Take out at Vernon Lee Lynch II Riverside Memorial Park. River Maps are available.

Blackwater River

This is the newest Blueway in Franklin County.

8- mile float from Brubaker Park (intersection of Coles Creek Rd & Hickman Rd) to the intersection of Jamestown Road and Blue Bend Road.

34 – mile float from Brubaker Park to Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith River

Put in locations: Franklin, Henry, and Patrick County

Roanoke River Gorge

Niagara Dam to Rutrough Road

 

Mathews Blueways Water Trail

The Mathews Blueways Water Trail has over ninety miles of saltwater paddling.

 The five trails listed below form a giant loop around the county (which is a peninsula). There are eighteen public launch sites.

Piankatank River Trail, Gwynns Island/Milford Haven Trail, Winter & Horn Harbors Trail, New Point Comfort Trail, and the East River Trail.

Piankatank River Trail – 11.8 to 18.5 miles

 

Gwynns Island/Milford Haven Trail – 14.1 to 20.5 miles

 

Winter & Horn Harbors Trail – 15.5 to 22.1 miles

 

New Point Comfort Trail – 10.7 to 15.2 miles

 

East River Trail – 11.7 to 13.8 miles

 

Looking for kayaking locations or canoeing locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

If you have a favorite place to paddle in Virginia, please send it to us using our Contact Page. We’ll post it on our Places to Paddle in Virginia Page.

Get your kayak or canoe ready because Sandpoint, Idaho is having a sprint race!

Sand Creek Paddlers Challenge

Saturday, June, 11, 2011

Sandpoint City Beach, Sandpoint, Idaho

According to their website:

This race is open to all paddlers and any kayak or canoe – any paddle boats without oarlocks or pedal power.

This is a sprint race, up Sand Creek, and back. The race distance is just over 4 miles.

This event is all about fun and getting together with fellow paddlers.

There are three separate divisions, two race divisions, solo & tandem, & a recreation division.

For more information on the Sand Creek Paddlers Challenge or to find other paddling events, paddlefests, kayak races, canoe races, festivals, adventure races or triathlons, click here to go to our kayak & canoe races & events calendar.

Looking for kayaking locations or canoeing locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.