Overview:
Dragon Run drains the least populated watershed east of Virginia's Fall Line, and is an irreplaceable ecological resource. That does not mean it is necessarily suitable for travel by canoe, much less kayak. It is utterly choked with strainers: We crossed some 300 in the 6 miles from Park Road/Rt 603 to Route 17, a trip that took all daylight hours in a whole weekend. It is possible to do short out and back paddles from the bridges with road access, but I wouldn't recommend trying any bridge-to-bridge trips. However, it is certainly worth reading about and supporting efforts to conserve this uniquely undisturbed watershed in eastern Virginia, including efforts by the Friends of Dragon Run (http://www.dragonrun.org/). There is a nice information board and walking trail at Rt 603/Park Road.
Recommended Trips:
None, except for short out-and-back trips from Rt 603 or Rt 17.
Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs
Rt 603/Park Road: There is parking at this nice trailhead and river access area, which also includes a short walking trail.
Rt 17: There does not seem to be a good access point, but you can drag a boat up to the road on the east side (northbound) Rt 17/north side of Dragon Run.
Sections of River to Run:
Rt 603 to Rt 17: Do not be fooled by the defined channel at Rt 603: It will not last, and for the next six miles you will push and indeed break the limits of navigability. Dragon Run will dissipate to all sides, leaving you in only inches of water, stuck on knees of cypresses. You will cross beaver dams, large maple trees, and try to canoe under countless strainers rather than crawl out onto them in the middle of the river and lift your canoe over. There are only two points in this six miles, roughly halfway through, where Dragon Run abuts firm ground. The first is on river left, and is a fine campsite, with hollies and some leftover metal cooking equipment (note: I do NOT recommend paddling on Dragon Run at all, but if you persist in folly and find yourself on it at nightfall you should stay at this spot). The second piece of firm land has a ramshackle structure, at which you may find a human who you can beg for deliverance from another mile or so of endless strainers. Note that the number of strainers cannot be exaggerated. Imagine standing on top of one tree over which you are portaging and seeing two or three more immediately downstream. That is what you will see for most of the six miles. You will also see beautiful cypresses and the usual assortment of gorgeous Virginia swamp life, including occasional open marsh. Wildlife is abundant, and you will be included in that category shortly after you enter the swamp.
