Kayak and canoe enthusiasts, if you’re looking to kayak or canoe in Virginia, check out Franklin County.

Just 20 minutes from Roanoke, VA, Franklin County in southern central Virginia offers a variety of blueways, rivers and water trails. Flatwater, whitewater – paddlers of all skill levels can find a great ride in Franklin County.

Rivers in Franklin County VA include the Pigg River, Blackwater River, Smith River and the Roanoke River Gorge.

If you love whitewater kayaking, you’ll be glad to know that Franklin County has the Veteran’s Memorial Whitewater Facility. Also, the Pigg River Whitewater Park is partially complete and useable with additional park areas currently under development.

Find out more about kayaking in Franklin County and even more places to paddle in Virginia on our Places to Paddle in Virginia page.

If You Go…Let Us Know! Click here to send us a note about the Blueways of Franklin County Virginia and we may publish your report right here on BornToPaddle.com!

For more information on kayak and canoe events, please check our BornToPaddle.com Kayak & Canoe – Races & Events Calendar pages.

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

Kayakers and canoers in Northwestern Illinois have a beautiful river to paddle in the meandering Pecatonica. Riverkeepers have outline eight different trips along the river of varying lengths, which can be combined to create completely individual experiences for any paddler.

These outlined trips are all part of a planned 58 mile Pecatonica River Water Trail. Already there are great signs that the planners and developers are doing it right – and the 7.89 mile trip from McConnell Bobtown Landing to McNeil’s/Damascus Landing, has already been declared Illinois Friendliest Paddle (see video below). This designation is due largely to the use of two of the best designed access docks anywhere. Both put in and take out have the EZ dock system which allows you to load and unload your boat without getting wet. These partially floating docks are designed to rise and fall as the river rises and falls.

A total of 11 current public access points make this an easy in and easy out paddle – though it is advisable to check the web site for current access point conditions.

Video of Illinois Friendliest Paddle:

For more information on the Pecatonica River Water Trail project or if you’d like to explore the Pecatonica River via kayak or canoe, please click here to go to our Places to Paddle page and then click on Illinois.

Thanks to Lee Butler for submitting information about the Pecatonica River Water Trail.

If You Go…Let Us Know! Click here to send us a note about the Pecatonica River Water Trail and we may publish your report right here on BornToPaddle.com!

For more information on kayak and canoe events, please check our BornToPaddle.com Kayak & Canoe – Races & Events Calendar pages.

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