Kayaking on James River (Richmond, Lynchburg: live, parking, best)

[MrJones17]

Has anyone ever done this? Girlfriend and I are looking to kayak down there when we are finally moved.

Is the water clean? Any special tours or anything like that? Would love some recommendations from you fine folks.

[adriftinthebay]

Yes -- big kayaking and whitewater rafting scene. Just check out the number of outfitters along the James river. The river is technical though so go with someone who knows the lines.

https://rvapaddlesports.com/

https://www.richmondoutside.com/

[dbcook1]

Yes the water is very clean. You always see people kayaking and fishing on the river around downtown. There is a boat ramp at the base of 7th Street and another with more and better parking on the other side in Amherst County's Riveredge Park. I have even jumped in a couple times. When the city's Pedlar Reservoir is down, water is sourced directly from the river. Here are some photos from the annual batteau festival (June 15th on Percivals Island in downtown this year if you want to attend).

https://vacanals.org/batteau/









I would also definitely go check out Twin River Outfitters in Buchanan for the best river rafting in the area:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti..._Virginia.html



The city of Lynchburg has invested $53 million over the past four decades in the combined sewer overflow project to update the wastewater system, eliminate sewage overflow into the river, and cleanup the water quality. The project is nearing completion. Richmond has spent $400 million on their end which has resulted in the Richmond side water quality going from a C to a B over the last decade:

https://www.newsadvance.com/news/loc...765c45d1f.html

[droopy_lee]

Yes its clean I spend most of the summer at bent creek area "on"fishing. ..lol (mainly consists of beer an sitting in water relaxing) lots of different day floats. Here's a link https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/waterb...-upper-middle/ also I bought this book years ago when I started canoeing "James River Guide: Insiders’ Paddling and Fishing Trips from Headwaters Down to Richmond" unfortunately theres a big piece between upper an middle that has multiple dam's that do create some nice water for boats but from what I understand covered some of the best Rapids on the James river.