Overview:
The north and south forks of the Rivanna join to form a reservoir just north of Charlottesville. The river then flows along the east side of the city through Woolen Mills. You can paddle from Darden Towe Park to Columbia, where the Rivanna joins the James, in about 2 long days. The rapids are no bigger than class two, and the river is surprisingly remote and pretty considering its proximity to Charlottesville and Fluvanna County’s irresponsible land use policies. The water is generally very clear, and there are all kind of pretty fish, rocks, and underwater grasses just below the surface. Kingfishers will accompany you the entire way. You can camp most anywhere; there aren’t too many 'No Trespassing' signs along the way. The only downside of the trip is some sewage pollution coming from Lake Monticello, which one can smell at the discharge point and for a short distance downstream. The Rivanna is a great float trip, particularly during the spring and summer when the canopy shades much of the river. There is generally enough water into early/mid summer, and perhaps beyond depending on rainfall.
Recommended Trips:
- (overnighter) Put in at Darden Towe Park, float all day, camp either just upstream or downstream of Palmyra, and float to Columbia the next day. About 34 miles. Looking at a map you’d never think you could go this far easily in 2 days, but the velocity of the Rivanna is surprisingly high considering there are no major rapids on it; I’ve canoed from Market St to well past Palmyra in a day (leisurely). It isn’t uncommon to go 3 mph on this river.
- (daytrip) Put in at Market Street and float to the Rt 600 (Crofton) takeout. 13 mi.
- (daytrip) Put in at Milton and take out at Palmyra. 15 mi.
- (daytrip) Put in at Palmyra and take out at Columbia. 15 mi.
Directions to Put Ins and Take Outs:
View Rivanna River in a larger map
Darden Towne park located off Route 20 just north of Route 250. This is usually a more convenient location in regards to a shuttle than the Market St put-in.
Market St takeout is located on the west/south side of the river near the old Woolen Mills in the City of Charlottesville. There is very limited parking. To get there take E. Market Street out of downtown until its eastern terminus, which is in an old residential neighborhood. You’ll have to carry your boat a bit.
Milton takeout is located on the north side of the river. To get there turn south on Milton Road from Rt 250, just east of where Rt 22 intersects with 250. From Milton Rd turn left/east onto a tiny dirt road, which leads down to a little put in.
Crofton takeout is located at the river crossing of Rt 600, South Boston Rd, which connects Rt 616 Union Mills Road with Rt 53. This is a good takeout with plenty of parking.
Palmyra takeout is located on the south side of the river where Rt 15 crosses it, near a couple of general stores and a restaurant in the village of Palmyra.
Columbia takeout is located on the James River about 100 yards downstream of where the Rivanna joins the Columbia, off Columbia Rd which intersects Rt 6 in the tiny town of Columbia.
Sections of River to Run:
Darden Towe Park to Milton: This is about 5 miles. Shortly after putting in you’ll go under I64. There are plenty of campsites in here and nice scenery. The first bridge you come to is Milton. This run would only take about 1.5 or 2 hours. This section has the highest gradient and the most rapids, which generally are I-II with some solid IIs around 900cfs.
Milton to Crofton: This is a 9 mile stretch, which takes a half day at normal water levels. It is quite pretty mostly, with the exception of some McMansions on the left bank shortly after the put in and a few Lake Monticello homes near the take out. Mostly it is all wooded and narrow with plenty of wildlife.
Crofton to Palmyra: This is about 6 miles, only takes 2.5 or 3 hours. There are no bridges on this section other than the put in/take out. This section is quite pretty and remote with great campsites. Palmyra is quite pretty with the old Rt 15 bridge (which is being replaced) and the remnants of a bridge abutment in the middle of the river. There is a class II rapid in this section you may want to scout.
Palmyra to Columbia: This is a day trip or half of an overnighter. There is a little bridge (Cariesbrook Rd, which runs east from Rt 15) that could be an unofficial takeout, but it isn’t recommended because the land is posted and there is nowhere to park except by the side of the road, where you can be towed in 24 hours. Shortly before you reach the confluence with the James you’ll go under a pretty truss bridge, which is Rt 6. This is a very nice stretch of river, just beautiful, without much development.
