10.5 Mile James River Kayak or Canoe Trip - Buchanan to Alpine
Paddle 10.5 miles of Class I–II rapids in 5–6 hours for a full-day river adventure
From$41/ person
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Discover what we've curated for you
Paddle 10.5 miles of Class I–II rapids in 5–6 hours for a full-day river adventure
Discover what we've curated for you
5 - 6 Hours
Minimum 4 people
Shuttle, Boat and gear
Paddle a scenic 10.5‑mile stretch of the Upper James with Class I–II rapids. Start at Buchanan and finish at Alpine on a full‑day float.
Minimum group size is 4. Trip ends with a mandatory 3:30 PM return shuttle from Alpine. Arrive 15 minutes early and wear secure river footwear; no flip flops or bare feet.
Full refund with 4 days’ advance notice. Full refund if the outfitter cancels due to high water, severe weather, or unforeseen circumstances. No refunds with less than 4 days’ notice. No-shows are charged in full.
640 Lowe Street Buchanan, VA 24066
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.
Just completed the 3 day, 2 night glamping trip Glen Wilton to Buchanan. I would highly recommend this trip and Twin Rivers in general. We checked in and were given great packets with maps and mileage, as well as a briefing by staff. Definitely helped us be prepared for the conditions. We got paddles and PFDs and put our gear in the kayak trailer, dry bags were available for our use but we didn’t need them. We were taken to our second night campsite first, just to familiarize and see where to exit the river. We then went to our first night campsite, same drill but we left our gear there. A quick trip to the launch point and we were off. I can’t stress enough how well prepared we felt before we even hit the water. The campsites (Glampsites) were really nice, wall tents with cots, fire pits, chairs, tables, fresh water container, bathroom, and firewood for sale. Really very comfortable! We utilized Twin Rivers gear moving service, so all we took on the water was fishing gear, lunches, and day bags. Twin Rivers had all our other gear moved to the next site and waiting for us. Very convenient, made the paddling way easier and more comfortable. Overall a definite 5 star experience, a professional and friendly outfit and staff, competitive pricing, and a well thought out experience. Do yourself a favor and book a trip with Twin Rivers, I will definitely be doing it again!
Steve Bohr
October 14, 2025
Just completed the 3 day, 2 night glamping trip Glen Wilton to Buchanan. I would highly recommend this trip and Twin Rivers in general. We checked in and were given great packets with maps and mileage, as well as a briefing by staff. Definitely helped us be prepared for the conditions. We got paddles and PFDs and put our gear in the kayak trailer, dry bags were available for our use but we didn’t need them. We were taken to our second night campsite first, just to familiarize and see where to exit the river. We then went to our first night campsite, same drill but we left our gear there. A quick trip to the launch point and we were off. I can’t stress enough how well prepared we felt before we even hit the water. The campsites (Glampsites) were really nice, wall tents with cots, fire pits, chairs, tables, fresh water container, bathroom, and firewood for sale. Really very comfortable! We utilized Twin Rivers gear moving service, so all we took on the water was fishing gear, lunches, and day bags. Twin Rivers had all our other gear moved to the next site and waiting for us. Very convenient, made the paddling way easier and more comfortable. Overall a definite 5 star experience, a professional and friendly outfit and staff, competitive pricing, and a well thought out experience. Do yourself a favor and book a trip with Twin Rivers, I will definitely be doing it again!
Steve Bohr
October 14, 2025
