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.

This Canoe & kayak race on the Fox River in Aurora Illinois is for paddlers of all ages and abilities.

Mid- American Canoe & Kayak Race

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Aurora, Illinois

According to their website:

This is an amateur canoe & kayak race for paddlers of all ages and abilities. There are 10 canoe divisions and 6 kayak divisions.

Two paddling Races – 10 mile race & 6 mile race.

10 mile race – St. Charles to Aurora- Three portages- Geneva, Batavia, North Aurora. This race begins at Mount St. Mary Park (Route 31).

6 mile race – Batavia to Aurora – one portage -North Aurora. This race begins from the VFW on route 25.

Both races will finish at McCullough Park in Aurora.

Want to enter this paddling race but don’t have a boat? Boat rentals are available.

Many divisions to choose from including open (non-competitive) Division.

Open division paddlers will be allowed assistance on portages.

For more information on this canoe & kayak race 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 paddling 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 kayak race, canoe race or paddling event that you would like listed on our paddling races and events calendar, please use our handy contact form to send us the details.