By Gail Lambert
Roanoke’s awesome outdoor recreation opportunities just got better with the demolition of a dam that has created the
Roanoke River Blueway. For folks that like to “mess about in boats,” you can put in your canoe or kayak at
Green Hill Park in west Salem and paddle downstream all the way to Wasena Park in Roanoke, a journey of about two to three hours. At Wasena Park you have a sandy beach for boat take out as well as car park spaces where you can load your boat and leave, or be picked up by a friend with a boat rack.
Salem and
Roanoke are not far from the river’s headwaters in neighboring Montgomery County, and so the river is still narrow and rather shallow in places -- a good river to practice paddling on or just relax and let drift. The 400-mile river that begins in
Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains empties into Albemarle Sound in North Carolina.
Then again you can drive north on I-81 from Roanoke to Buchanan, Exit 162 to Twin River Outfitters on the James River in a half hour. TRO rents canoes, kayaks and inner tubes on the James (“America’s First River”) and
Maury Rivers in Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties. Options range from a river tubing trip (minimum age 6) with shuttle service to overnight canoe camping trips.
For
Roanoke River Blueway information contact
Roanoke City Parks & Recreation 540-853-2236. Twin River Outfitters, 653 Lowe Street, Buchanan, VA 24066. Phone: 540-261-7334. Visit:
canoevirginia.net