The Best Kayaking in Virginia

This little lake close to Charlottesville is my favorite place for an after work kayak, SUP, or just picnic by the water. It's a 20min drive from town, and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge with water views. No gasoline powered motors allowed, but anything else you can get in the water is fair game.On the weekends there is SUP yoga, and plenty of places to have an impr...

Directly off of Interstate 81, headed toward West Virginia on Rt 33 is a beautiful lake only known by the locals. Switzer Lake, named because Switzer Dam was placed on the Dry River years ago to aid Harrisonburg and the surrounding area with its increased need for drinking water. The lake is seldom visited by fishermen but more often by locals who just want to get away. There are several awesom...

If you love everything outdoors, the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center is the place for you! You can do almost any activity you can think of here. If you aren't affiliated with Liberty University, you can't rent their equipment, but you can bring you own to use. The main attraction is the lake where you can swim, fish, paddle board, kayak, or just hang out on the beach. There are also miles and...

Part of the attraction to the Cove is that you can literally leave work at 5pm and be in the water paddling in plenty of time to catch the sunset. Catching a sunrise is slightly more difficult just because the boat landing doesn't open until 6:30am. However, it's still possible to paddle out and get in position just in time as evidenced by both the sunrise and sunset photos above. But the views...

Put in at the Horseshoe Bend Boat Ramp near Buchanan, VA. The pin on the map will take you right there. Takeout will be at the boat ramp in downtown Buchanan, approximately 9 miles down river. This ramp is located just above the Rt. 11 bridge.Twin River Outfitters uses this ramp also, so there's usually plenty of activity around to draw your attention. It's not hard to find...when you start to ...

Sherando Lake is a beautifully maintained dog/family friendly campground situated between two lakes. Upper Sherando Lake is available for fishing only but the larger, 25 acre, Lower Sherando Lake offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and relaxing on the beach.  The campground is divided into three loops -- one with electric hookups, one with non electric (reservable) campsites, and one with walk ...

Claytor Lake is a very well maintained state park in Dublin, VA. There are four campgrounds available. Campgrounds A, B and C are mostly for tent camping with no electric or water hookups, while campground D accommodates RV units with water and electric hookups.Claytor Lake is idea for families looking to get away and relax in the outdoors. Be sure to bring the bikes and enjoy a mix of 4 miles ...

This beautiful State Park on the Virginia Eastern Shore provides visitors with a very secluded beach even in the dead of summer. The location of the beach also allows you to enjoy a sunset over water which is rare for the east coast. The sandy white beaches dotted with old crab buckets and crab traps is an amazing place for the entire family to enjoy the day or for that romantic stroll on the b...

It's hard to beat an outdoor adventure that keeps you near the ocean's edge. For this destination, getting there is possibly the best part. The trail is well kept and level; perfect for an easy bike ride or hike. An easy trail due to lack of incline (after all, it is by the sea). For the first few miles, you will follow the dunes where several ramps provide access to the beach. As a wildlife re...

I didn't have any issues putting "Comers Rock Recreation Area" into my phone's GPS (Waze) and arriving exactly where I was supposed to. When you turn off US 21 (aka the Grayson Turnpike/Elk Creek Parkway) to Jefferson National Forest Road 57, you'll see a sign a parking lot that says "road not suitable for passenger cars". Drive at your own risk from here. Though the road is extremely rocky and...

The South Norfolk Jordan Bridge spans the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River connecting Chesapeake and Portsmouth, Virginia. Located beneath the bridge's abutments on the Chesapeake side is the Elizabeth River Park.Looking to stretch your legs? The park includes many amenities like a paved trail along the water and across the bridge. if you want to get on the water, there are also boat and ...

From the Virginia Beach ocean front, head South on VA-149/General Booth Blvd for 6 miles. Turn left onto Princess Anne Rd and head South for 10.5 miles. Turn right onto Old Pungo Ferry Rd. Take this road until it ends at a small park. From here, hike along the water's edge to find the best place to photograph the bridge and surrounding area. This spot is also a great place to put in a kayak or ...

Starting at the "falls" below the New River Junction you can enjoy a three day float trip down to Bluff City near Pearisburg. [Tangent Outfitters in Pembroke can rent you kayaks and shuttle you to the start point and pick you up at the end point if you don't have 2 vehicles to leave] Trip can be broken up into three day trips all equally as much fun.  This part of the historic New River has bea...