Places to Paddle, Kayak & Canoe in Virginia

There are plenty of places to go kayaking and canoeing in Virginia.

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.

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
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

Virginia State Parks

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's website provides useful information for boaters, kayakers and canoers.

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