from “Upper James River Water Trail website UpperJamesRiverWaterTrail.com
Travel + Leisure Magazine designated the Upper James River Water Trail as one of the best, easy outdoor adventures in the world! The most popular access point for the trail just happens to be located in downtown Buchanan!
The list of destinations is specifically intended for beginning adventurers who want to experience the great outdoors without needing expert-level skill. Other excursions recognized include sailing in Fiji, hiking in Italy, and snorkeling in Antarctica, putting the James River in world-class company. The mighty James River begins its majestic journey in Botetourt County and winds through Rockbridge County, the Blue Ridge Mountains and southern Shenandoah Valley on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. The unspoiled beauty of the river is more accessible than ever through the Upper James River Water Trail. Paddlers, anglers and families can get back to nature and enjoy the sights and sounds Upper James and a portion of the Maury River. See the mountains like you’ve never seen them before on the Upper James River Water Trail.
The Trail
The Jackson and Cowpasture Rivers converge in northern Botetourt to form Virginia’s greatest river, the James River. These headwaters provide some of the finest canoeing and freshwater fishing available in Virginia. The Virginia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1196 and House Bill 1454, patroned by Senator Creigh Deeds and Delegate Terry Austin respectively. The bills extend the Scenic River designation on the Upper James River from 14 miles to 59 miles. This bill has been signed into law by the governor.
Along 64 miles of the Upper James River in Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties and 10 miles of the Maury River, you can get up close and personal with the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains. You’ll experience the unspoiled beauty of the river as you paddle through scenic valleys and past rolling farmland while keeping a watchful eye out for native wildlife. Some Class I and Class II rapids along your journey will make it a fun day for all members of the family by canoe, kayak or tube.