Best Kayaking in Virginia

Trying to find the best kayaking in Virginia? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

Virginia, Accomack County

01 :52 hrs
4.4 mi
6.3651695 ft
IV

Everyone told me Tom's Cove was best for first time sea kayakers. It was rougher than the channel on the day I went, not horrible but lots of little waves. The hardest part is when going around the point of the island where the Inlet, the Channel and Toms Cove all meet, it gets rough and if you're not confident in your balance I'd avoid this area. Once I got into the channel it was nice, went with the current instead of against it. Only go into the pony marsh at high tide, it's not accessible at low tide and theres still many places you can get stuck during high tide. Overall a great experience.

2

Ohio, Highland County

02 :33 hrs
6.1 mi
18.186523 ft
II

Rocky Fork Creek begins right below the dam and winds through spectacular scenery as the river quickens. Anytime the river forks take the left channel. There is an old milldam that is a mandatory portage to your left and can be challenging. Takeout is at Browning road bridge. Fishing is excellent and wildlife is abundant.

3

West Virginia, Fayette County

04 :30 hrs
10.7 mi
16.618576 ft
I

The Gauley River is recognized as one of the top ranked whitewater rivers in the world. It is 105 miles long and features over 100 rapids. The Gauley is a dam controlled watershed and scheduled fall release dates offer amazing flows for rafting. It travels through stunning wilderness scenery including canyon cliffs, waterfalls and lush foliage. This section of the Gauley River travels easily and quietly to the junction with the New River at the Gauley Bridge.

4

Maryland, Travilah

04 :57 hrs
12 mi
50.350216 ft
IV

The Potomac is the longest and most diverse river system in Maryland, reaching from the cold, high plateau of the Alleghenys to the broad waters of the Chesapeake Bay and tidewater. This section is the Potomac’s finest. It has the best whitewater and the most dramatic scenery. You will begin below Great Falls and run through Wet Bottom Chute and Mather Gorge, then find a mellow stretch to enjoy the views of 80-foot jagged cliffs. Next you will reach Difficult Run, a rocky, plunging course after which the Potomac gradually calms down to a large, lazy river. Islands begin to split the river and more rapids appear over Yellow Falls, a three-foot double ledge, then a long rock garden brings you to Stubblefield Falls, a short easy, bouncy rapid, and from here on to Brookmont is mostly smooth water gliding through rock gardens and dozens of small islands. At Brookmont, take caution running over Brookmont Dam, then expect more turbulent water and a rocky plunge to tidewater. Approaching the Chain Bridge, Little Falls appears and is very steep and split by jagged, rocky islands. Take out at Fletchers Cove.

5

Delaware, Sussex County

02 :19 hrs
5.5 mi
1.1920929e-7 ft
I

Slaughter Creek flows through vast, unspoiled salt marshes backed by a curtain of forest. It is in the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge which is a sanctuary for migratory birds and lies along the western shore of Delaware Bay. The refuge contains a variety of habitats, including freshwater and salt marshes, woodlands, grasslands, ponds, and forested areas. It supports 267 species of birds and a variety of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. The scenery is intriguing and changes between different, untamed outdoor neighborhoods.

6

Ohio, Adams County

04 :03 hrs
9.6 mi
20.429123 ft
I

Ohio Brush Creek offers some of the most scenic and untouched terrain in Ohio. The banks are lined by evergreens, shale and limestone cliffs. The water moves slowly through pools of limestone ledges. Access is limited and fishing for smallmouth bass is good. Beginning at OH 32 bridge this section flows 10 miles to OH 41 bridge south of Jacksonville.

7

Ohio, Adams County

05 :58 hrs
14.2 mi
27.43277 ft
I

Ohio Brush Creek offers some of the most scenic and untouched terrain in Ohio. The banks are lined by evergreens, shale and limestone cliffs. The water moves slowly through pools of limestone ledges. Access is limited and fishing for smallmouth bass is good. Beginning at OH 41 bridge south of Jacksonville this section of river flows to OH 125 bridge.

8

Ohio, Highland County

02 :58 hrs
7.1 mi
13.56723 ft
I

Ohio Brush Creek offers some of the most scenic and untouched terrain in Ohio. The banks are lined by evergreens, shale and limestone cliffs. The water moves slowly through pools of limestone ledges. Access is limited and fishing for smallmouth bass is good. Beginning at the OH 73 bridge this section flows to OH 32 bridge.

9

Maryland, Allegany County

05 :47 hrs
13.8 mi
24.241203 ft
III

The Potomac is the longest and most diverse river system in Maryland, reaching from the cold, high plateau of the Alleghenys to the broad waters of the Chesapeake Bay and tidewater. For this section, the Potomac cuts through the ancient Blue Ridge and its foothills and forms the first whitewater since its headwaters. To begin, you will navigate through The Needles, and intricate ledgy staircase that is a perfect novice whitewater run except when the water is high, novices should skip this section as the river runs stronger than it looks. Just after the Shenandoah River joins, the river tumbles over a series of jagged ledges and runs over two distinct drops named Whitehorse Rapids. Below this the river glides through a beautiful maze of rocks and islets to another gap through South Mountain and Short Hill. A smooth and swift section allows time to relax before a gap in Catoctin Mountain to the take out at the Route 15 bridge.

10

Maryland, Baltimore County

04 :24 hrs
10.8 mi
53.10971 ft
IV

This section of Gunpowder Falls includes the exciting descent over the Fall Line. The Fall Line begins just below Route 1 and soon after put-in is where the whitewater starts and the river tumbles down a boulder and ledgy bed. The entire trip runs within the confines of a shallow, wooded gorge, protected by a state park. Take out at Route 7 for best convenience or at Route 40 if you want to catch every last rapid. Route 40, however, has “no parking” signs, but there is a park access just upstream on the left off Jones Road. It is about a 200-yard walk up from the river.

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