i wasn't sure if this goes here or community so my apologies either way...
I'm trying to put together some good options for 1-2 night float options and was wondering on recommendations for some good reaches and/or camping areas along the Upper James stretches, Shenandoah Valley (although i have camped on the sf of the shanandoah before), Maurey, ect. I am new to much of the state so really any options are open; so what might be some good starting points in maybe a 2-3 hour drive from Richmond (although, i may be posting a similar request as well for WVA soon too though) for a good weekend float with the family?
thanks,
luke
options for good 1-2 night overnighters, VA or WVA
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paddle_luke
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What kind of water?
Are you looking for mostly flat water or some rapids, and what class rapids are you comfortable running? Also, what kind of camping are you looking for, stealth, primitive, or some facilities?
Scott
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paddle_luke
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Re: What kind of water?
A good mix of flat and current with nice spots to stop along the way to eat, check stuff out or grab a swim
class 1 to easy class 2 since this is a family trip with loaded canoe's and open kayaks
Primitive tent camping in sites or a general riverbank, but since i will have my daughter, stealth is not really an option.
This doesn't have to be an epic adventure, more like a good relaxing and fun float for a day, overnighter or few
[quote="ScottMcD"]Are you looking for mostly flat water or some rapids, and what class rapids are you comfortable running? Also, what kind of camping are you looking for, stealth, primitive, or some facilities?
class 1 to easy class 2 since this is a family trip with loaded canoe's and open kayaks
Primitive tent camping in sites or a general riverbank, but since i will have my daughter, stealth is not really an option.
This doesn't have to be an epic adventure, more like a good relaxing and fun float for a day, overnighter or few
[quote="ScottMcD"]Are you looking for mostly flat water or some rapids, and what class rapids are you comfortable running? Also, what kind of camping are you looking for, stealth, primitive, or some facilities?
Rappahannock
The river I'm most familiar with, and what I'll recommend, is the Rappahannock about 1 hour north of Richmond. There are several options for trips and camping, I'll cover a few.
1. You could start at Eli's ford on the Rapidan and canoe down to the confluence of the rapidan and Rappahannock. There are several primitive sites on the bank you can use and since the city of Fredericksburg owns most of the land, the camping is free. It's also first come first serve. This section is mostly flat water but there is one dam remnant that can be tricky with a loaded canoe depending on the water level. The confluence is an easy rapid, but involves a lot of turning for a loaded canoe ( IMO its easier from the rapidan than from the Rappahannock.)
The second day would take you down to Motts landing on river road or down to the Virginia Outdoor Center (VOC) if your comfortable with the section under I95. Lots of places to stop and play on this section. The VOC is 4-6 miles down river of Motts, so it depends on how much you want to paddle the second day.
2. Starting at Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock. Again you can camp for free at some primitive sites near the confluence and below, or you can camp at Rappahannock river canoe camp. http://canoecamp.com/ I'm not affiliated with it, but I do know the owners and reccommend it to people often. The second day will be the same as for the other trip.
I'll also mention Friends of the Rappahannock ( http://www.riverfriends.org/ ) sels a booklet/waterproof map of these rivers which you can pick up at the Virginia outdoor Center. http://www.playva.com/
This booklet has been handy for me as it shows where the public land starts and list all of the rapids. They do list a few rapids as class III wich are probably only II or II+
You may be able to camp at the outdoor center as well if you don't want to leave right away.
1. You could start at Eli's ford on the Rapidan and canoe down to the confluence of the rapidan and Rappahannock. There are several primitive sites on the bank you can use and since the city of Fredericksburg owns most of the land, the camping is free. It's also first come first serve. This section is mostly flat water but there is one dam remnant that can be tricky with a loaded canoe depending on the water level. The confluence is an easy rapid, but involves a lot of turning for a loaded canoe ( IMO its easier from the rapidan than from the Rappahannock.)
The second day would take you down to Motts landing on river road or down to the Virginia Outdoor Center (VOC) if your comfortable with the section under I95. Lots of places to stop and play on this section. The VOC is 4-6 miles down river of Motts, so it depends on how much you want to paddle the second day.
2. Starting at Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock. Again you can camp for free at some primitive sites near the confluence and below, or you can camp at Rappahannock river canoe camp. http://canoecamp.com/ I'm not affiliated with it, but I do know the owners and reccommend it to people often. The second day will be the same as for the other trip.
I'll also mention Friends of the Rappahannock ( http://www.riverfriends.org/ ) sels a booklet/waterproof map of these rivers which you can pick up at the Virginia outdoor Center. http://www.playva.com/
This booklet has been handy for me as it shows where the public land starts and list all of the rapids. They do list a few rapids as class III wich are probably only II or II+
You may be able to camp at the outdoor center as well if you don't want to leave right away.
Scott
I've done some primitive camping along the James and Shenandoah in addition to the Raps. My trips have generally been in the 9 - 14 mile long range as not a lot of paddling is being done on these, but rather fishing (not necessarily catching though). Here are some of the different sections I've done.
1. James Eagle Rock to Horsehoe bend. There is some really good primitive island camping about 5 miles downstream from the put in. Out of the different places I've camped, this was the best by far. Second day is longer and flatter.
2. James Wingina to Howardsville. There is good camping around Buford Islands half way through the trip. One down side is that I think the Howardsville landing is closed to public use again, although I think you can pay a fee to take out there.
3. James Scottsville to Bremo Bluff/New Canton. Lots of islands to camp on just before the halfway point at Hardware. You can also camp on the left bank in the Hardware WMA too, but an access permit is needed from VDGIF. Good paddling through the island area known as Seven Islands. Might want to go the left route with kids and a loaded boat.
4. SF Shenandoah from Bealers Ferry to Batzell Landing. Primitive camping in the GWNF along the left bank about half way through.
5. Was going to do a trip on the James from Arcadia to Glasgow last weekend, but weather changed the plans. There's national forest land along the left bank about 5 miles downstream from Arcadia.
Check out the web site river maps from Downriver Canoe Co and Front Royal Canoe Co for the Shenandoah, and from Twin River Outfitters for the upper James. They've been very helpful to me.
Send me a note if you want any more info.
Daryl
1. James Eagle Rock to Horsehoe bend. There is some really good primitive island camping about 5 miles downstream from the put in. Out of the different places I've camped, this was the best by far. Second day is longer and flatter.
2. James Wingina to Howardsville. There is good camping around Buford Islands half way through the trip. One down side is that I think the Howardsville landing is closed to public use again, although I think you can pay a fee to take out there.
3. James Scottsville to Bremo Bluff/New Canton. Lots of islands to camp on just before the halfway point at Hardware. You can also camp on the left bank in the Hardware WMA too, but an access permit is needed from VDGIF. Good paddling through the island area known as Seven Islands. Might want to go the left route with kids and a loaded boat.
4. SF Shenandoah from Bealers Ferry to Batzell Landing. Primitive camping in the GWNF along the left bank about half way through.
5. Was going to do a trip on the James from Arcadia to Glasgow last weekend, but weather changed the plans. There's national forest land along the left bank about 5 miles downstream from Arcadia.
Check out the web site river maps from Downriver Canoe Co and Front Royal Canoe Co for the Shenandoah, and from Twin River Outfitters for the upper James. They've been very helpful to me.
Send me a note if you want any more info.
Daryl
