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    5. 10.5-Mile Upper James River Kayak & Canoe Trip
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    10.5-Mile Upper James River Kayak & Canoe Trip

    Paddle 10.5 miles of Class I–II rapids on the Upper James River

    4.9 stars• 642 reviews
    From$48/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    5 - 6 Hours

    Ideal For

    4 or more people

    Includes

    Boat rental, shuttle, gear

    Highlights

    Explore a 10.5-mile stretch of the Upper James River Water Trail with Class I and II rapids and mountain scenery. This full-day run starts in Buchanan and finishes at the Alpine boat landing with a required shuttle back.

    • Run Class I and II rapids on a 10.5-mile route
    • Choose a kayak, canoe, or raft for your group
    • Follow river maps for the Buchanan-to-Alpine section
    • Start from the Buchanan riverfront and end at Alpine boat landing
    • Ride the required return shuttle back to the store

    What's Included

    • Boat rental
    • Paddles
    • Life jackets
    • Safety orientation
    • River maps
    • Dry bag use
    • All required shuttles

    Things to know

    Minimum group size is 4 people. Return shuttle pickup time is mandatory at 3:30 PM. No alcohol allowed.

    Cancellation Policy

    Full refund with 4 days advance notice. Full refund if Twin River Outfitters cancels due to high water levels, severe weather, or other unforeseen circumstances as deemed appropriate by the Outfitter. No refunds with less than 4 days notice. No-shows charged full price.

    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

    640 Lowe Street Buchanan, VA 24066

    Experience provided by Twin Rivers Outfitters
    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 (650) 414-7338

    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
    642 reviews•Google Maps

    Twin River Outfitters stands out for its exceptionally organized operation and genuinely friendly staff. Multiple reviewers mention how thoroughly prepared they felt before hitting the water, thanks to detailed maps, safety briefings, and knowledgeable guides who explain river obstacles. The equipment is consistently described as top-notch, and the staff goes above and beyond with things like declining tips and showing remarkable flexibility with weather-related reschedules (including full refunds when needed). Several paddlers specifically note the professionalism paired with a personal, welcoming touch. The James River trips themselves sound beautiful and peaceful, with clean water, wildlife sightings including turtles and ospreys, and manageable rapids. The glamping option gets rave reviews for its well-equipped wall tents and gear transfer service, which lets you paddle without being weighed down by camping equipment. Whether you're booking a multi-day adventure or a simple half-day paddle, the operation runs smoothly from start to finish. Repeat customers keep coming back, and that tells you everything you need to know.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    This was an absolute amazing adventure!! We loved it!! We did the 6 mile kayak excursion. (Sit on top kayaks) The rapids were fun and not too much to handle. The staff were so friendly and explained things well! They have you call and check in at a certain point to make sure you are doing okay. It’s a smooth running outfit!

    Photo of Cheryl Shaffer

    Cheryl Shaffer

    May 18, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    This was an absolute amazing adventure!! We loved it!! We did the 6 mile kayak excursion. (Sit on top kayaks) The rapids were fun and not too much to handle. The staff were so friendly and explained things well! They have you call and check in at a certain point to make sure you are doing okay. It’s a smooth running outfit!

    Photo of Cheryl Shaffer

    Cheryl Shaffer

    May 18, 2026

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