Overview:
The Fall Line of the Chickahominy lies between Old Washington Highway and Rt 1. The Chickahominy is also runnable from Rt 156 Airport Rd on the Henrico/Hanover border all the way to its confluence with the James at the border of Charles City/James City County (despite a large portage around Walker Dam). Most folks don’t know that this is the most remote, undisturbed river in the metro area, with the possible exception of the Blackwater. Amidst the golf course sprawl of New Kent and the sprawl of Henrico’s east end, the Chickahominy is home to centuries-old bald cypresses, one of which is six feet in diameter. Except at the road crossings you’re not likely to see signs of savagery on this river. You will see wildlife, nearly opaque black water, and endless swamp. Go in the winter or early spring, when the water is relatively high and there aren’t mosquitoes. Wear waterproof boots if possible, and plan on dragging over at least a couple of downed trees per mile. About 8 miles to 10 miles is a good day trip, because dragging over logs slows the pace. The current is very slow, the gradient flat. There are no rapids. You could camp in this section.
Recommended Trips:
- (daytrip) Old Washington Hwy to Rt 1.
- (daytrip) Rt 156 to Bottoms Bridge Rt 60
- (daytrip)Bottoms Bridge Rt 60 to Rt 106
- (daytrip) Rt 106 to Adkins Rd
- (overnight) Bottoms Bridge to Adkins Rd.
Directions to Put ins / Take outs:
View Chick2 in a larger map
Old Washington Highway: Called Elmont on the Hanover side, runs from Greenwood Road to Cedar Road in Henrico and Hanover Counties.
Rt 1: Between Sliding Hill Rd and Jeb Stuart Pkwy on Henrico/Hanover line.
Rt 156 Airport Road: Park in gravel lot on west side of road, south side of river, and carry boat through narrow stretch of woods to put in. The takeout is just a couple miles north of the exit from Interstate 64.
Bottoms Bridge Rt 60: On the weekend you may be able to park north of the road on the east side of the river if the business is closed, but it is preferable to ask permission if possible. Carry through the woods there a short distance and put in off the bank, just north of Bottoms Bridge. This is on the eastern border of Henrico County. Access Rt 60 from Interstate 295 if you’re coming from the west.
Adkins Rd: This is an unofficial put in located a couple miles south of Rt 60. Park near road.
Sections of River to Run:
Old Washington Highway to Rt 1: Ran in Fall 2006 following a Nor’easter that provided an inch of rain. Current: Medium to Fast. This is a short trip of approximately three miles that runs over the fall line section of the river. I ran this section solo in a 15’ Old Town Camper canoe. Put in below the large mill dam near Old Washington Highway. This is not a good put-in with challenges for both parking and river access. Trip started with the river well out of its banks and several downed trees. In a quarter mile you pass under a power line and a small private bridge. Here the river returns to the confines of its banks and narrows to about 15 feet. The river is small enough that the paddler is virtually enclosed in a canopy of trees. The scenery consists of forests on each side with an occasional house in view. Downed trees are abundant throughout the entire trip, about half can be ducked under and half require a portage. River continues at a decent pace until you reach the next set of power lines. The power lines here follow the old Ashland Richmond trolley line right of way and remnants of the old bridge are still present. This marks the halfway point of the trip. The next set of power lines marks the start of the fall line. The first rapids consist of surprisingly big wave trains and small class I ledges. Rocks also begin to appear. None of the rapids are particularly hard to navigate but the power of the river and the height of the waves is impressive. Eventually, the paddler approaches the largest rapid of the trip which consists of a I+ ledge with the best passage between two rocks on river left. The rapid is recognized by a 25 foot rocky bluff overlooking a large eddy pool below the rapid. Here the river makes a sharp left turn and after a couple more ledges and strainers the paddler cruises under the final set of power lines and the traffic of Route One is heard in the distance. Take out river right upstream of the Route one bridge. There are several small businesses in the area where the take out vehicle can be left.
Rt 1 to Rt 156: —As of yet not run.
Rt 156 to Bottoms Bridge Rt 60: This trip takes a little more than half a day. Water is high enough in the winter and early spring unless there is a drought. This is a very pretty trip and feels quite remote even though you are only about 10 miles from Richmond. This is a good winter day trip for folks living in the Richmond area. Be prepared for strainers—wear rubber boots and bring a change of clothes.
Bottoms Bridge Rt 60 to Rt 106: Rarely does a river demonstrate such diverse, scenic, and remote attributes in close proximity to an urban area. Portions of this trip are highly congested with strainers (slow current at any levels except flood, so not particularly dangerous), while others have a 30 foot wide, clearly defined channel lined with sentinel bald cypresses. Although this area was probably logged at some point, there are at least a couple dozen bald cypresses of at least 3 feet in diameter above their buttresses. There is abundant wildlife and many hunters, so wear blaze orange. Be prepared to drag your boat over and around dozens of strainers; waders or high rubber boots work best. Remember that it is easy to drown in waders, and typically the deepest parts of this river are right under strainers. This section of river also has a couple open meadow sections. Along with the James through Richmond, this is the most scenic and accessible river to Richmond. Paddling most of the time, this trip will take 4.5 hours on the water at low to medium winter water levels.
Rt 106 to Adkins Rd: This is the most remote part of the Chickahominy where it is narrow and swampy. This stretch is slightly shorter than the stretch from 60 to 156. It is quite remote with beautiful cypress forest and black water. The end of this stretch has perhaps the most stunning cypress grove that I’ve seen on the Chickahominy.
