We’ve compiled a list of outfitters who can provide you with all the necessary equipment for a day on the river, including a guide. With the largest lake and two largest rivers in Virginia, plus 24 large streams in the Roanoke Region, you are sure to find the perfect place to go for a paddling adventure. In addition to the outfitters and guides listed below there are also additional businesses that will rent (or sell) kayaks, SUPS, and/or tubes so you can get out on the water (even if you don’t own any gear).
Alleghany Outdoors rents kayaks, tubes, bikes, and rafts for your perfect trip in the Jackson River valley. Alleghany Outdoors is the contracted concessionaire outfitter of Alleghany County Parks and Recreation Department to provide both river and bike trail experiences.
Black Water Junction Wake Park is the ideal venue to try wakeboarding or wakeskating for the first time, or take your riding skills to the next level.
Located near Smith Mountain Lake in Union Hall, Franklin County, Black Water Junction has two cables that pull riders across three different ponds, each filled with multiple obstacles that allow a rider to work on jumps, rail slides, and all the accompanying tricks.
Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the second largest municipal park in the nation. It holds a major water source within its 12,700 acres and overflowing recreational opportunities including hiking, biking, fishing, and boat rentals. The cove includes 11,363 acres that are protected by the largest conservation easement in Virginia’s history.
With more than 60 miles of trails and an 600-acre reservoir Carvins Cove is a mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, and boating paradise.
The Marina rents 14′ row boats along with single and tandem kayaks.
Buffalo Mountain Adventures offers fully facilitated, all-inclusive, “build your own adventure” style trips, outdoor activities and retreats for small groups. We specialize in standup paddleboarding; climbing; and kayaking. BMA also hosts scenic tours of local attractions and educational workshops.
Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard company is the leading Paddleboard company located on Claytor Lake, offering specialized stand up paddling services, from rentals and gear to complete instruction and awesome tours. Mountain 2 Island also sells paddleboards from some of the top brands in the industry.
Lessons and tours include:
Call or email info@mountain2island.com for availability.
New River Outdoor Company provides canoe and kayak rentals, guided fishing, and cabin rentals on the New River.
Tubing from the Pembroke Boat Landing through the shoals and back to New River’s Edge is get fun for all ages. Unguided activities included with the cabin are canoeing, tubing, kayaking, basketball, crochet, horseshoes, and picnicking. Guided raft, canoe, kayak, and fishing trips are also available for a fee.
On the Water in Floyd is a Little River adventure outfitting company in Floyd County, Virginia. We offer single and double kayak rentals as well as tubes.
Roanoke Mountain Adventures is a full service outfitter offering guided trips/rentals for mountain biking, road cycling, paddleboarding, kayaking, tubing and other activities.
Want to explore Roanoke on a e-bike? Check out there guided Views and Brews E-Bike Tour.
In addition RMA offers shuttles, instructional clinics and rentals for all their outdoor gear. They also have an Outdoor Gear Consignment shop at their location, selling used boats, bikes, outerwear and other outdoor gear.
The Pigg River through Waid Park is perfect for no shuttle needed family tubing. Calm water and several sections of ripples make for an extremely enjoyable 1 mile float. There are 3 put in options available, allowing tubers the flexibility to customize the distance and duration of their time on the water. Remember to keep your bottom up and feet first throughout the float.
Tubing on the Pigg is provided by Franklin County Parks and Recreation.
Twin River Outfitters is a full-service paddlesports business that rents canoes, kayaks, tubes, and rafts on the James, Maury, Jackson, and Cowpasture rivers. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains — only 25 minutes from Downtown Roanoke — Twin River is one of the largest river outfitters in the area. Established in 1978, TRO is an experienced river based business that runs a variety of safe, scenic, and fun river trips that appeal to all skill levels. In addition to a variety of day trips, they also offer multi-day and overnight trips that include riverside camping.
River tubing trips are 1.5 to 3 miles in length and feature great current, easy fun rapids, and typically great water levels all summer long. Trips include shuttles, life jackets, and commercial grade river tubes.
Wingman Outfitter is a unique, growing company that has transformed and enhanced the experience of the canoe. The primary product of Wingman Outfitter is the Canoe Cooler Outrigger, however the company also offers useful dry bags and quality apparel.
The Canoe Cooler Outrigger is a durable multi-functional patent pending Cooler Outrigger that is the only product on the market that utilizes coolers to provide additional storage and when properly used added stability to your canoe. All materials are sourced from reputable U.S. companies and manufacturing is completed in Roanoke, VA.
Key features of the Wingman Outfitter include:
Additionally, platform extensions and the highly-useful table adapter set can be purchased with the Canoe Cooler Outrigger. The table adapter set allows the platform to double as a campsite table.
Wingman Outfitter is a Roanoke, Virginia-based company that is changing the way that anglers, adventurers, and the casual canoe-rider enjoy their experience on the water. By adding a multi-purpose platform to the canoe, there is stability, comfort, and safety added to anyone’s voyage.
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