16 Canoeing and Tubing Adventures

When it’s hot, water is in order. Have a blast in Virginia’s rivers this summer when you tube or canoe your way downstream. Need a guide or equipment? We have those.
 
NEW RIVER JUNCTION – CANOEING | Blacksburg
Experience New River Junction, as the New River will draw you, gently and peacefully, as you float over small riffles in your tube. About a mile downstream, the rapids are splashing. Ride the rapids a few times then visit Big Falls Park, where the park grills will be hot and ready for cooking. The free shuttle bus will be available when you decide to go back for another trip down the river. A lazy, inner tube drift down a mile of pristine river cupped in a tree-lined mountain valley provides the perfect escape from a hot summer day.
 

TANGENT OUTFITTERS – GUIDED CANOEING | Radford
Experience the second oldest river in the WORLD, the New River, as you paddle alongside the natural scenery. Varying from flat, slow-moving water to Class III rapids, the historical river provides an enjoyable adventure for canoers of all skill levels. Trips with Tangent Outfitters range from 5-10 miles, so pack a lunch to take a break along any of the river’s beaches!
ALSO SEE: Virginia’s 33 Scenic Rivers
 
NEW RIVER’S EDGE – TUBING | Giles
Bring your family and relax while tubing the gentle waters and Class I rapids of the New River. The 20-minute adventure is something you’ll love to take again and again. Tubing from the Pembroke Boat Landing through the shoals and back to New River’s Edge is fun for all ages! New River’s Edge provides a great, refreshing way to cool off this summer.
 

CLINCH RIVER ADVENTURES – TUBING/CANOEING | St. Paul
Visit Mother Nature’s waterpark at Clinch River Adventures and spend the day floating down the most bio-diverse river in the country! Rent or bring your own canoe and experience one of the many trips available for the whole family; the facility offers trips from 45 minutes to 7 hours. Looking for a more relaxing day on the water? Spend some time tubing for a peaceful float down the river.
 

TWIN RIVER OUTFITTERS – CANOEING | Buchanan
Twin River Outfitters runs trips on the Upper James, Cowpasture, Jackson and Maury Rivers. The outfitter offers its customers fun and safe river trips that range from lazy river to whitewater paddling experiences with true mountain views. Known as the oldest and most experienced outfitter operating on the Upper James, Twin River has been safely running paddle trips since 1978. Why spend just a day on the water when you can spend a week? A variety of single day and multi-day river-based camping trips are available, where visitors can experience the historic Natural Bridge and more.

 
JAMES RIVER REELING & RAFTING – CANOEING | Scottsville
James River Reeling & Rafting offers great flexibility for those seeking excitement or relaxation. Choose from Class I, II or III rapids, spanning more than 50 miles! Each canoeing trip offers Smallmouth Bass fishing, so be sure to pack the fishing pole and cooler as you spend the day on the James!
 

ADVENTURE MENDOTA – TUBING | Mendota
The North Fork of the Holston is your playground when you rent a tube (or kayak) from Adventure Mendota. It’s a gentle Class I that provides a leisurely day of sun and water. You’ll want to make a reservation to insure there are enough tubes waiting for you and your friends. Think you’ll need a shuttle and/or parking service? Call ahead!

RIVERSIDE OUTFITTERS – GUIDED RAFTING/CANOEING | Richmond
Riverside Outfitters offers three distinct rafting experiences: the falls of the James, the Upper River white water and the Lower River white water trips. Take an adventure trip down the Falls of the James in Richmond’s James River Park System—the only Class II-IV white water rapids running through a major U.S. city. For a more relaxing trip, the outfitter offers guided rafting and canoeing trips, where guests can spot bald eagles, great blue herons, egrets, osprey and other wildlife.
 
DOWNRIVER CANOE CO. – CANOEING | Bentonville
Downriver Canoe Co. offers great canoe and tube floats on the legendary Shenandoah River. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River has long been recognized as one of the premier canoeing rivers in the East. A steady current of normally crystal clear water flows over a solid rock bottom creating many interesting riffles and pools, and even some beginning white water making it an ideal river for novice and experienced paddlers alike. The river is legendary for spectacular mountain scenery and abundant wildlife.
 
HARPERS FERRY ADVENTURE CENTER – TUBING/CANOEING | Purcellville
Remember the lazy river ride at the water park? The one where you could float away the afternoon in the summer sun? Harpers Ferry Adventure Center is the original Harpers Ferry tubing company and the adventure company who has water tubing down to a science. The Adventure Center has white water or flat water options for both tubing and canoeing. You can bring a cooler or rent one and spend the whole day on the river tubing Harpers Ferry. Tubing is the Center’s most popular river activity and is the perfect way to soak up the sun, laugh with family and friends, and cool off on a hot summer day.
 

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE EXPERIENCES – TUBING | Dayton
Pack your lunch, drinks and sunscreen, and enjoy a day with Outdoor Adventure Experiences tubing down the Shenandoah River. Guests will begin the journey on their own tube, while guides bring a giant tube for all to play on as they float down the deeper, slower sections of the river.
 
JAMES RIVER RUNNERS – TUBING/CANOEING | Scottsville
Spend an afternoon, a full day or even overnight as a couple, a family, a scout troop, or even larger when you connect with James River Runners. Camping is available on the riverside as well.
 
POHICK BAY REGIONAL PARK – GUIDED CANOEING | Lorton
Imagine skimming along the smooth waters of an uncommonly beautiful wetland. A kingfisher chatters as it whizzes by you, a Bald Eagle turns a broad circle overhead and a deer gazes at you from the shore. A breeze covers the water with silky ripples. Where are you? On a guided canoe trip on the marshes of Pohick Bay Regional Park. Head out on your adventure and check out the wildlife, also including osprey and great blue herons.
 

FRONT ROYAL OUTDOORS/SHENANDOAH RIVER TRIPS | CANOEING/TUBING | Front Royal
Come experience the “Legend”.  Front Royal Outdoors offers self-guided canoe, kayak, raft, and tube trips on the South Fork of the legendary Shenandoah River. The trips are perfect for the individual, family, or group. River trips flow north between the Shenandoah National Park and the George Washington National Forest and are designed for your enjoyment on novice to intermediate class waters. Whether you want to lazily float down the river in a tube or just paddle away for an hour or a couple of days, Front Royal Outdoors can provide the expertise and knowledge to help you plan your Shenandoah getaway.
 
MATTAPONI CANOE & KAYAK – GUIDED CANOEING | Aylett
Mattaponi Canoe & Kayak provides guided paddling excursions on both tidal and non-tidal reaches of the Mattaponi, Pamunkey and Chickahominy Rivers, and Dragon Swamp. The trips are geared to take advantage of the rich natural history of the region, giving the participant much more than just another float down the river. Guides will lead guests on an adventurous journey through very remote, wilderness-like passages of the upper Mattaponi River. Or if you’re looking for something a little more leisurely, try a sunset paddle at the Pamunkey Indian Reservation, where wild rice marshes, waterfowl and Native American and Colonial history flourish.
 
SHENANDOAH RIVER OUTFITTERS – TUBING/CANOEING – Luray
Take on the flat water or white water with Shenandoah River Outfitters. Riverside lunch and even a steak dinner can be arranged for groups with reservations. Want to stay the night? The campground and cabins are available to guests.