State routes
Virginia Rivers
Compare 49 tracked Virginia paddle routes with route links, water-level context, difficulty, and access planning details.
31 routes support live scores. 18 planning-only routes provide trip details and source links without a live route score.
Coverage snapshot
Explore supported Virginia rivers
Scan the highlighted river network from above, then use the route guides and access markers to find a supported reach.
49 route markers8 multi-route rivers11 beginner routes
Supported riverSelected reachAccess-point connectionStrong conditionsGood conditionsWatch closelySkip
Henry County / Smith River Blueway 5Roanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor 5Alleghany County / Covington area 1Alleghany County / Iron Gate area 1Appomattox and Buckingham counties / Bent Creek–Gladstone 1Augusta County / George Washington National Forest 1Botetourt County / Iron Gate–Glen Wilton 1Botetourt County / Upper James River Water Trail 1
Live conditions
Best Virginia routes today
Loading current scores, gauge reads, and weather signals.
--Live
Farmville / Prince Edward and Cumberland counties
View trip detailsAppomattox River
Farmville Blueway: Wilck’s Lake to Riverside Park
Moderate | 4 blueway miles | 2–3 hours depending on portage, dam scouting, water level, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supported--Live
Chesterfield / Dinwiddie counties and Petersburg
View trip detailsAppomattox River
John J. Radcliffe Conservation Area to Patton Park
Hard | about 7 river miles | 3–5 hours depending on stage, scouting, portages, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supported--Live
Russell County / Clinch River Gorge
View trip detailsClinch River
Puckett's Hole to Nash's Ford
Hard | 8.2 river miles | 3–5+ hours depending on flow, scouting, group pace, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supported--Live
Alleghany County / Iron Gate area
View trip detailsCowpasture River
Sharon Park River Access to Evans Tract Access
Moderate | approximately 4.5 river miles | approximately 2 hours depending on rainfall, water level, shallow-water carries, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedCurrent scores load here when available. You can still open the route links to check details and sources if this update fails.
Best route options
Good starting points in Virginia
Ranked from route metadata, source support, difficulty, and logistics.
Photo unavailableVirginia routeCovington / Alleghany CountyJackson RiverFort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside ParkA public 3.9-mile Jackson River Blueway float with direct Gathright telemetry, a 500–1,900 cfs Section 3 operating band, Class I rapids, cold-water/rele...
Route facts
Easy | approximately 3.9 river miles | approximately 2 hours depending on flow, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedofficial source support
Photo unavailableVirginia routeGiles County / Glen LynNew RiverRich Creek to Glen LynA named 4.5-mile Rich Creek–Glen Lyn Water Trail float with public ramps, direct 03176500 telemetry, an official flood-stage ceiling, and calm Class I m...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 4.5 river miles | 2–3 hours depending on flow, group pace, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedofficial source support
Photo unavailableVirginia routeFranklin County / Rocky MountPigg RiverWaid Park to Lynch ParkAn eight-mile Class I Pigg River Blueway day trip with named public launch/takeout facilities, a conservative Blackwater-gauge proxy screen, direct Pigg...
Route facts
Easy | Approximately 8 river miles | Approximately 4 hours of floating time; allow extra time for portages, ledge scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing | Planning only · no live scoreofficial source support
Photo unavailableVirginia routeWaynesboro City / Ridgeview–Basic parksSouth RiverRidgeview Park to Basic Park Water TrailA named public city water trail with direct stage telemetry, a documented recommended level band, Class I–II rapids, and a mandatory low-head dam portage.
Route facts
Easy | 4 river miles | 2–3 hours depending on water level, portage, scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedofficial source support
Photo unavailableVirginia routeFarmville / Prince Edward and Cumberland countiesAppomattox RiverFarmville Blueway: Wilck’s Lake to Riverside ParkShorter options: 1.5–2.5 miA named public four-mile town blueway with a lake-to-creek portage, documented dam/canal decision, direct Farmville stage telemetry, and two public park...
Route facts
Moderate | 4 blueway miles | 2–3 hours depending on portage, dam scouting, water level, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedofficial source support
Photo unavailableVirginia routeAlleghany County / Iron Gate areaCowpasture RiverSharon Park River Access to Evans Tract AccessA public 4.5-mile Cowpasture River Blueway float with direct 02016000 telemetry, a 200–1,400 cfs Section 4 band, Class I–II current, high rain sensitivi...
Route facts
Moderate | approximately 4.5 river miles | approximately 2 hours depending on rainfall, water level, shallow-water carries, breaks, and shuttle timing | Live score supportedofficial source support
Beginner routes
Virginia beginner routes
These routes are tagged easy in the route data. Today's water can still change the call.
Banister RiverKing’s Bridge Landing to Terry’s Bridge / U.S. 360Halifax County / Halifax–Scottsburg | Approximately 5 river miles; local trip descriptions also report approximately 6.2 miles for the King’s Bridge-to-Terry’s Bridge floatDan RiverDanville Riverfront Park to Anglers ParkDanville / Pittsylvania County | Approximately 3.3 river milesJackson RiverFort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside ParkCovington / Alleghany County | approximately 3.9 river milesNew RiverRich Creek to Glen LynGiles County / Glen Lyn | Approximately 4.5 river milesNorth Fork Holston RiverWadlow Gap to Yuma via Weber CityScott County / Gate City–Weber City | Approximately 4.4 river milesNottoway RiverDouble Bridge (Route 619) to Route 630 BridgeSussex County / Greensville–Jarratt area | Approximately 5 river milesPigg RiverWaid Park to Lynch ParkFranklin County / Rocky Mount | Approximately 8 river milesReed CreekKents Lane Portage Park to Millers Creek Portage ParkWythe County / Wytheville–Max Meadows | Approximately 5 river miles (planning estimate; Wythe County does not publish official mileage)
Showing 8 of 11 beginner routes. Use the Easy difficulty filter below to see the full set.
Weekend planning
Routes with practical logistics
Use the live weekend board for score-based recommendations.
Appomattox RiverFarmville Blueway: Wilck’s Lake to Riverside Park4 blueway miles | 2–3 hours depending on portage, dam scouting, water level, breaks, and shuttle timingAppomattox RiverJohn J. Radcliffe Conservation Area to Patton Parkabout 7 river miles | 3–5 hours depending on stage, scouting, portages, breaks, and shuttle timingBanister RiverKing’s Bridge Landing to Terry’s Bridge / U.S. 360Approximately 5 river miles; local trip descriptions also report approximately 6.2 miles for the King’s Bridge-to-Terry’s Bridge float | Approximately 2–3 hours of floating time; allow extra time for low-water portages, scouting, breaks, and the shuttleChestnut CreekGalax U.S. 58 trailhead to Byllesby Dam on the New RiverApproximately 13.2 river miles | Allow a full day for Class I–III water, scouting, the Chestnut Falls decision, portages, the downstream transition, breaks, and shuttle timing; do not rely on an unverified travel-time estimate.Clinch RiverBlackford Bridge to Puckett's Hole7.3 river miles | Allow 3–5 hours depending on flow, group pace, scouting, breaks, and shuttle timing; do not rely on an unverified travel-time estimate.Clinch RiverPuckett's Hole to Nash's Ford8.2 river miles | 3–5+ hours depending on flow, scouting, group pace, breaks, and shuttle timing
Browse coverage
Rivers and regions
Expand a river or region to browse its routes.
By river
Roanoke River8
Roanoke River hubBlue Ridge Parkway Roanoke River Trail to Explore Park/Rutrough PointCardinal Criminal Justice Academy to Eddy AvenueEastern Montgomery Park to Wayside ParkEddy Avenue to Salem Rotary ParkGreen Hill Park to West Riverside DriveSalem Rotary Park to Wasena ParkWayside Park to Green Hill ParkWest Riverside Drive to Cardinal Criminal Justice Academy
Smith River8
Smith River hubBassett River Access to The Great Road River AccessFieldale River Access to Doe Run River AccessFrith Drive River Access to Smith River Sports Complex River AccessMarrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River AccessPhilpott Dam Tailrace to Bassett River AccessSmith River Sports Complex River Access to Marrowbone Creek River AccessSouth Martinsville River Access to Frith Drive River AccessThe Great Road River Access to Fieldale River Access
James River4
New River4
Appomattox River2
Jackson River2
Rappahannock River2
Banister River1
Chestnut Creek1
Cowpasture River1
Hardware River1
Maury River1
North Fork Holston River1
North Fork Shenandoah River1
North River1
Nottoway River1
Pigg River1
Rivanna River1
South Fork Holston River1
South Fork Shenandoah River1
South River1
Staunton River1
By region
Alleghany County / Covington area1
Alleghany County / Iron Gate area1
Appomattox and Buckingham counties / Bent Creek–Gladstone1
Augusta County / George Washington National Forest1
Botetourt County / Iron Gate–Glen Wilton1
Botetourt County / Upper James River Water Trail1
Campbell County / Long Island–Brookneal1
Chesterfield / Dinwiddie counties and Petersburg1
Covington / Alleghany County1
Danville / Pittsylvania County1
Farmville / Prince Edward and Cumberland counties1
Fauquier and Culpeper counties / Remington–Kelly’s Ford1
Fluvanna County / Crofton–Palmyra1
Fluvanna County / Scottsville-Hardware1
Franklin County / Rocky Mount1
Franklin and Henry counties / Philpott tailwater1
Galax–Carroll County / New River Trail State Park1
Giles County / Glen Lyn1
Grayson County / New River Trail State Park1
Halifax County / Halifax–Scottsburg1
Henry County / Bassett–Fieldale1
Henry County / Fieldale1
Henry County / Smith River Blueway5
Smith River: Fieldale River Access to Doe Run River AccessSmith River: Frith Drive River Access to Smith River Sports Complex River AccessSmith River: Marrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River AccessSmith River: Smith River Sports Complex River Access to Marrowbone Creek River AccessSmith River: South Martinsville River Access to Frith Drive River Access
Montgomery County–Roanoke County upper Blueway1
Page County / Newport–Luray1
Radford / Pulaski County1
Richmond / James River Park System1
Roanoke County / Blue Ridge Parkway–Smith Mountain Lake1
Roanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor5
Rockbridge County / Buena Vista–Glasgow1
Russell County / Clinch River Gorge1
Russell County / Upper Clinch River1
Salem–Roanoke urban Blueway1
Scott County / Gate City–Weber City1
Shenandoah County / Mount Jackson–Edinburg1
Spotsylvania County and Fredericksburg / lower Rappahannock1
Sussex County / Greensville–Jarratt area1
Washington County / Damascus–Alvarado1
Waynesboro City / Ridgeview–Basic parks1
Wythe County / New River Trail State Park1
Wythe County / Wytheville–Max Meadows1
Need broader planning context?
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Every Virginia route on Paddle Today
49 routes with condition and access details.
Showing all 49 routes.
Appomattox RiverFarmville Blueway: Wilck’s Lake to Riverside ParkFarmville / Prince Edward and Cumberland counties | Moderate | Live score supportedAppomattox RiverJohn J. Radcliffe Conservation Area to Patton ParkChesterfield / Dinwiddie counties and Petersburg | Hard | Live score supportedBanister RiverKing’s Bridge Landing to Terry’s Bridge / U.S. 360Halifax County / Halifax–Scottsburg | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreChestnut CreekGalax U.S. 58 trailhead to Byllesby Dam on the New RiverGalax–Carroll County / New River Trail State Park | Hard | Planning only · no live scoreClinch RiverBlackford Bridge to Puckett's HoleRussell County / Upper Clinch River | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreClinch RiverPuckett's Hole to Nash's FordRussell County / Clinch River Gorge | Hard | Live score supportedCowpasture RiverSharon Park River Access to Evans Tract AccessAlleghany County / Iron Gate area | Moderate | Live score supportedDan RiverDanville Riverfront Park to Anglers ParkDanville / Pittsylvania County | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreHardware RiverRoute 6 access to Hardware River WMA bridgeFluvanna County / Scottsville-Hardware | Moderate | Live score supportedJackson RiverFort Young Park to Teddy J. Dressler Wayside ParkCovington / Alleghany County | Easy | Live score supportedJackson RiverIndian Draft Boat Landing to Interstate Park River AccessAlleghany County / Covington area | Moderate | Live score supportedJames RiverBent Creek Boat Ramp to James River State ParkAppomattox and Buckingham counties / Bent Creek–Gladstone | Moderate | Live score supportedJames RiverBuchanan to ArcadiaBotetourt County / Upper James River Water Trail | Moderate | Live score supportedJames RiverIron Gate/Lick Run to Glen WiltonBotetourt County / Iron Gate–Glen Wilton | Moderate | Live score supportedJames RiverPony Pasture Park to Reedy CreekRichmond / James River Park System | Moderate | Live score supportedMaury RiverGlen Maury Park to Locher LandingRockbridge County / Buena Vista–Glasgow | Moderate | Live score supportedNew RiverAustin Memorial Park to Foster FallsWythe County / New River Trail State Park | Moderate | Live score supportedNew RiverBisset Park / Dudley’s Landing to Peppers FerryRadford / Pulaski County | Moderate | Live score supportedNew RiverIndependence to BaywoodGrayson County / New River Trail State Park | Moderate | Live score supportedNew RiverRich Creek to Glen LynGiles County / Glen Lyn | Easy | Live score supportedNorth Fork Holston RiverWadlow Gap to Yuma via Weber CityScott County / Gate City–Weber City | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreNorth Fork Shenandoah RiverMeems Bottom to Chapman's LandingShenandoah County / Mount Jackson–Edinburg | Moderate | Live score supportedNorth RiverNorth River Campground to Camp May FlatherAugusta County / George Washington National Forest | Hard | Planning only · no live scoreNottoway RiverDouble Bridge (Route 619) to Route 630 BridgeSussex County / Greensville–Jarratt area | Easy | Planning only · no live scorePigg RiverWaid Park to Lynch ParkFranklin County / Rocky Mount | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreRappahannock RiverMotts Run to Old Mill Park, FredericksburgSpotsylvania County and Fredericksburg / lower Rappahannock | Hard | Live score supportedRappahannock RiverRector Tract to Kelly's FordFauquier and Culpeper counties / Remington–Kelly’s Ford | Moderate | Live score supportedReed CreekKents Lane Portage Park to Millers Creek Portage ParkWythe County / Wytheville–Max Meadows | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreRivanna RiverCrofton public landing to Palmyra public landingFluvanna County / Crofton–Palmyra | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreRoanoke RiverBlue Ridge Parkway Roanoke River Trail to Explore Park/Rutrough PointRoanoke County / Blue Ridge Parkway–Smith Mountain Lake | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverCardinal Criminal Justice Academy to Eddy AvenueRoanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverEastern Montgomery Park to Wayside ParkMontgomery County–Roanoke County upper Blueway | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverEddy Avenue to Salem Rotary ParkRoanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverGreen Hill Park to West Riverside DriveRoanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverSalem Rotary Park to Wasena ParkSalem–Roanoke urban Blueway | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverWayside Park to Green Hill ParkRoanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor | Moderate | Live score supportedRoanoke RiverWest Riverside Drive to Cardinal Criminal Justice AcademyRoanoke River Blueway / Salem–Roanoke corridor | Moderate | Live score supportedSmith RiverBassett River Access to The Great Road River AccessHenry County / Bassett–Fieldale | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverFieldale River Access to Doe Run River AccessHenry County / Smith River Blueway | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverFrith Drive River Access to Smith River Sports Complex River AccessHenry County / Smith River Blueway | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverMarrowbone Creek River Access to Mitchell Bridge River AccessHenry County / Smith River Blueway | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverPhilpott Dam Tailrace to Bassett River AccessFranklin and Henry counties / Philpott tailwater | Hard | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverSmith River Sports Complex River Access to Marrowbone Creek River AccessHenry County / Smith River Blueway | Hard | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverSouth Martinsville River Access to Frith Drive River AccessHenry County / Smith River Blueway | Easy | Planning only · no live scoreSmith RiverThe Great Road River Access to Fieldale River AccessHenry County / Fieldale | Moderate | Planning only · no live scoreSouth Fork Holston RiverDrowning Ford / Route 58 access to Alvarado Route 710Washington County / Damascus–Alvarado | Hard | Live score supportedSouth Fork Shenandoah RiverNewport to White House LandingPage County / Newport–Luray | Moderate | Live score supportedSouth RiverRidgeview Park to Basic Park Water TrailWaynesboro City / Ridgeview–Basic parks | Easy | Live score supportedStaunton RiverLong Island DWR ramp to Brookneal DWR rampCampbell County / Long Island–Brookneal | Hard | Live score supported
Quick answers
Virginia paddling FAQ
How does Paddle Today choose Virginia paddle routes?
Paddle Today lists source-backed routes with reviewed access and trip information. This page includes 31 routes with live-score support and 18 planning-only routes across 25 rivers. Planning-only routes do not have a live route score.
Are these Virginia river conditions live?
Scored routes show the latest available conditions, subject to data availability. Planning-only routes provide trip information and source links without a live route score. Check update times and missing-data notices, and verify conditions with the linked managers before leaving.
Can I request another Virginia route?
Yes. Use the request form to send the river, reach, access points, and any source links. Requests help prioritize useful additions with verified public access and route evidence.