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    1. Local experiences
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    5. /10.5-Mile James River Kayak & Canoe Trip
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    10.5-Mile James River Kayak & Canoe Trip

    Tackle Class I–II rapids on a scenic Upper James River paddle

    4.9 stars• 686 reviews
    From$48/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    5–6 hours

    Ideal For

    4+ people

    Includes

    Boat rental, safety gear, shuttle

    Highlights

    Explore 10.5 miles of the Upper James River Water Trail through mountain and wilderness scenery. Paddle a more challenging full-day route with frequent Class I and II rapids.

    • Paddle through Class I and II rapids
    • Take in mountain and wilderness views
    • Use the return shuttle from Alpine boat landing
    • Choose a canoe, kayak, raft, or bring your own canoe or kayak

    What's Included

    • Boat rental
    • Paddles
    • Life jackets
    • Safety orientation
    • River maps
    • Dry bags and required shuttles

    Important details

    • Arrive 15 minutes before your reservation time
    • Return to the Alpine boat landing for the mandatory 3:30 PM pickup
    • Wear river-ready clothing and secure river footwear; flip-flops and bare feet are not allowed
    • Bring a picnic lunch, plenty of non-breakable drink containers, and any necessary medications
    • Alcohol is not allowed on the river
    • Complete the liability waiver before check-in

    Cancellation Policy

    Full refund with at least 96 hours' notice. No refunds with less notice or for no-shows. Full refund if the operator cancels due to high water, severe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.

    FAQs

    Plan around the mandatory 3:30 PM pickup time for the return shuttle.

    Arrive dressed for the river (swimsuit, T-shirt, quick-drying shorts). In cooler weather, wear clothing that keeps you warm when wet (such as polypropylene). Bring old tennis shoes or river sandals with ankle straps (no flip-flops or bare feet), plus water in non-breakable containers, sunscreen, and a picnic lunch if you want one.

    No. Alcohol is not allowed.

    Meeting details

    Twin Rivers Outfitters Main Store, 640 Lowe Street, Buchanan, VA 24066

    Experience provided by Twin Rivers Outfitters

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Reference #VHQRJX

    Customer in a Canoe

    $48.97

    All prices per person. Maximum 2 person per canoe.

    0

    Sit-on-Top Single Kayak

    $48.97

    One person per kayak

    0

    Sit-Inside Single Kayak

    $48.97

    One person per kayak

    0

    Customers in a Tandem Kayak

    $48.97

    All prices per person.

    0

    Customers in a Raft

    $48.97

    Minimum two adults to steer with a maximum of five total customers per raft. All pricing per person.

    0

    Private Boater

    $33.39

    Shuttle Passenger only. Bringing own boat. Canoe/Kayak only. Pricing is per person.

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    686 reviews•Google Maps
    588
    33
    10
    3
    8

    Robert, John, and the rest of the crew here have built something genuinely special on the James River. The multi-day glamping kayak trips get the most praise, with reviewers raving about how thoroughly the staff prepares guests before they ever hit the water. Detailed maps, personalized route briefings, gear transport between campsites, and mid-river check-ins all point to an operation that has clearly thought through every detail. The glamping setups themselves seem to consistently impress, with raised platform tents, cots, fire pits, and river views making for a comfortable overnight experience without sacrificing the adventure. Single-day kayak and tubing trips get high marks too, with staff earning repeated praise for making first-timers feel confident and welcome. The customer service extends well beyond the trip itself, with reviewers noting how flexible and accommodating the team is when plans change. Honestly, the reviews here are remarkably consistent in their enthusiasm, which is saying something across hundreds of trips. If you are looking for a well-organized river outfitter where the staff genuinely cares about your experience, this appears to be a standout choice in the region.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    Highly recommend Twin Rivers!!! So we rented a canoe for the 4th of July for grab and go- I assumed it would fit perfectly in my husband's truck- when we got there to pick it up we quickly found out there was no way to get it to fit. We were highly bummed out. We knew Twin Rivers was super busy, but we asked them if there was any way they could drive the canoe to the Springwood boat ramp and we could get it from there, this was totally last minute, not planned, and right at the beginning of a super busy day for them. They said yes!!! So we went down to the ramp and waited about 20 minutes and they came and dropped the canoe off for us! It was so nice of them to go out of their way for us so we could enjoy a trip down the river on 4th of July. Thank you so much Twin Rivers for making our day! Already planning to use you guys again 🥰

    Photo of Esther Russell

    Esther Russell

    July 5, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Highly recommend Twin Rivers!!! So we rented a canoe for the 4th of July for grab and go- I assumed it would fit perfectly in my husband's truck- when we got there to pick it up we quickly found out there was no way to get it to fit. We were highly bummed out. We knew Twin Rivers was super busy, but we asked them if there was any way they could drive the canoe to the Springwood boat ramp and we could get it from there, this was totally last minute, not planned, and right at the beginning of a super busy day for them. They said yes!!! So we went down to the ramp and waited about 20 minutes and they came and dropped the canoe off for us! It was so nice of them to go out of their way for us so we could enjoy a trip down the river on 4th of July. Thank you so much Twin Rivers for making our day! Already planning to use you guys again 🥰

    Photo of Esther Russell

    Esther Russell

    July 5, 2026

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