Upper James River Water Trail

04/07/2026

We're pleased to announce that the Upper James River Water Trail is now on Instagram. We have lots of great photos of our beautiful river and look forward to sharing them. Follow us and tag us in your posts.

03/30/2026

Looking for river testing monitors at Town of Buchanan, VA location. Click here to learn more.

Be part of the team behind James River Watch 🌊

Join us for a Presentation & Volunteer Training and learn how we monitor water quality across the river. You’ll get hands-on experience with sampling and bacteria monitoring (weather permitting).

📍 Twin River Outfitters (Buchanan, VA)
📅 Thursday, April 23
🕠 5:30–6:30 PM

James River Watch shares weekly bacteria data for recreation sites all summer long—and it’s powered by volunteers like you.

✔️ Sampling takes place on Thursdays (9 AM–2 PM)
✔️ Volunteers commit to at least 1–2 Thursdays over the summer
✔️ Follow-up observation + data entry required

Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_EK6kHWpaqEXcbGt1IoAGTLi-bbqqjr7PZmOomZRGfmzM6w/viewform

03/11/2026

A sure sign that spring has arrived - our quarterly newsletter is out. In this issue: Celebrate America 250 on the Upper James; a pre-season safety checklist and more. https://mailchi.mp/mikulaharris/spring-fun-on-the-upper-james

12/30/2025

Thank you to all who helped us celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Upper James River Water Trail in 2025. We wish everyone a happy new year and hope you spend some time with friends and family on the river in 2026.

12/11/2025

If you have a paddler on your gift list this holiday season and want to surprise them with something they will never forget, we have the solution. Locally-owned gear stores offer quality items and knowledgeable staff to help. Also, consider the gift of an experience. Get a gift certificate from a local outfitter or a fishing guide.

Need a Guide or Gear? OUTFITTERS Plan your river adventure with these outfitters:   Maury River Smallmouth, LLC 24 Musket Loop, Natural Bridge, Va 24578 (540) 632-3990 | mauryriversmallmouth.com Providing kayak rental and paddler shuttle services on the Upper James River, from Iron Gate to Snowden,...

11/17/2025

Travel + Leisure magazine recently visited Lexington, Virginia and the Rockbridge Area Tourism. They had a great time exploring all the fun things to do, including tubing on the Upper James River.

The underrated mountain town blends nature, history, and small-town charm.

09/29/2025

Thanks for the shout out. We treasure this beautiful stretch of river and always welcome people to come here and enjoy it responsibly.

09/26/2025

A guide to the many colors of fall you'll see along the Upper James. That's the lead in our latest e-newsletter. Check it out:

Fall is a beautiful time to be on the Upper James River Water Trail. While morning temperatures can be chilly, mid-day temps are often ideal for paddling. The leaves begin to change color in late September. During the first three weeks of October, visitors are likely to see a spectacular display of....

09/22/2025

Fall has arrived. We still have some beautiful paddling weather ahead with peak foliage a few weeks away. Our gallery has some examples from previous years of how stunning the river is during this season.

The Upper James River Water Trail features breathtaking mountain scenery around every bend. The landscape includes majestic mountains, rugged cliffs and rolling farmland. Since a photo is worth 1,000 words, take a look at some of the stunning photos we have seen of the James and Maury Rivers.

08/19/2025

Beautiful weather puts us in the mood for all kinds of outdoor adventure. Plan a weekend chock full or outdoor fun in the Blue Ride Mountains and Southern Shenandoah Valley. Enjoy some paddling and fishing along with some hiking, biking, disc golf and more.

In addition to exceptional paddling and fishing on the Upper James, the mountains of Virginia and southern Shenandoah Valley region offer lots of other opportunities for outdoor fun. Discover world-class mountain biking, scenic road cycling options, bird and wildlife viewing and miles and miles of h...

08/04/2025

Don't let all the "Back to School" ads scare you. There is still plenty of time and great weather to have fun on the Upper James River.

If you’ve seen the Blue Ridge Mountains from a scenic overlook or while driving along a quiet back road, it’s time for a totally new perspective – river level. The Upper James River Water Trail meanders through beautiful Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties. The trail is organized into sections, ...

07/17/2025

One of the most visited pages on our site is Maps. We've tried to create a map that is helpful in finding access point as well as indicating rapids and potential hazards on the river. In addition to the large map, you can download PDFs of river sections. Print a copy to take it with you and be safe while paddling.

The James River starts at the confluence of the Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers in Botetourt County north of Roanoke, Virginia. Roughly 46 miles of river flow through the county before crossing into neighboring Rockbridge County for approximately 20 more miles. The Water Trail also encompasses a stret...