Mid-Atlantic
Region
Pennsylvania,
Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia
James
River, VA
No records returned.
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Richmond Raft Company
800-540-7238
Section
The
Falls of the James
Location
City
of Richmond
Driving Time
Washington,
D.C.—2 hours
Difficulty
Class
II-IV
Trip Length
4-8
miles (6.5-13 km)
Trip Options
Paddle
raft; one day
Season
March-November
Richmond's James River
offers an unusual rafting opportunity in the heart of a metropolitan
area. Historic sites and natural beauty complement the exciting
whitewater. The trip, which begins northwest of the Richmond
suburbs, passes through the city's 500-acre James River Park nature
refuge, where an abundance of birds and other wildlife can be
observed. It concludes with impressive views of the modern downtown
Richmond skyline, numerous bridges, and old factories. Challenging Class III-IV rapids—First Break, Hollywood,
Vepco Levee, Second Break, Pipeline, and Southside—through
Richmond are created by the changing elevations between the
Appalachian piedmont and the Atlantic coastal plain, commonly
referred to as the fall zone. The falls comprise large waves, ledge
drops, broken-down dams, and swift chutes and holes. During high
water, the wide James has one of the largest whitewater volumes of
any river in the United States.
Richmond's James River
offers an unusual rafting opportunity in the heart of a metropolitan
area. Historic sites and natural beauty complement the exciting
whitewater. The trip, which begins northwest of the Richmond
suburbs, passes through the city's 500-acre James River Park nature
refuge, where an abundance of birds and other wildlife can be
observed. It concludes with impressive views of the modern downtown
Richmond skyline, numerous bridges, and old factories.