Public Flat Water and Beginner Paddling Opportunities
Updated: Apr 25, 2021
Public Flat Water and Beginner Paddling Opportunities
If you are new to canoeing or kayaking, we highly recommend you begin learning how to manage your craft on flat water, which more often than not is a lake. Once you feel comfortable and master some skills dealing with wind and waves, and you can confidently steer and stop your boat, you may want to graduate to the increased challenge of paddling rivers.
Middle River is the next step up in paddling difficulty. In normal water levels, Middle River is a good beginner river with long stretches of flat water (with moving current) punctuated by periodic Class I and Class II rapids, which are the easiest rating of rapids that exist.
Where does one go to find flatwater to practice on prior to trying rivers? Luckily, we have a lot of beautiful opportunities right here and in surrounding counties to occupy yourself with until you gain some competence.
ALBEMARLE COUNTY
Beaver Creek Reservoir, 104 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/beaver-creek-reservoir/
Albemarle Lake, 35 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/albemarle-lake/
Chris Green Lake- 53 acres and kayak rentals
https://www.albemarle.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/52/360
Totier Creek Reservoir- 66 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/totier-creek-reservoir/
Walnut Creek Park, 45 acres, kayak rentals
https://www.albemarle.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/60/360
AUGUSTA COUNTY
Sherando Lake, 24 acres
https://birdingvirginia.org/augusta/hotspots/sherando-lake
Hearthstone Lake, only 7 acres (very small)
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/hearthstone-lake/#fishing
Elkhorn Lake, 54 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/elkhorn-lake/
Todd Lake
https://dwr.virginia.gov/vbwt/sites/todd-lake-recreation-area/
PAGE COUNTY
Arrowhead Lake, 39 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/arrowhead-lake/
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY
Lake Shenandoah, 36 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/lake-shenandoah/
North River at Wildwood Park, Bridgewater
Paddle and put-in immediately upstream of the dam.
https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/2483
https://www.visitharrisonburgva.com/places/wildwood-park2/
Hone Quarry, only 5.5.acres, (very small)
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/hone-quarry/#facilities
Briery Branch Lake, only 9 acres, (very small)
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/briery-branch-lake/#facilities
Skidmore Reservoir, 118 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/skidmore-reservoir/
SHENANDOAH COUNTY
Lake Laura, 44 acres
https://dwr.virginia.gov/waterbody/lake-laura/
More Info for other Virginia opportunities
https://dwr.virginia.gov/lakes/
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/paddling