Southern Virginia Wild Blueway

11/06/2024

There are so many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in southern Virginia. We can all agree that it's always better when you have a dog by your side. Take your pooch for an adventure on the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. (Photo courtesy of Carl Espy IV) https://sovawildblueway.com/

Welcome to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. Imagine a paddling experience unlike any other: Over one hundred miles of navigable river, leading to 1,200 miles of beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife, just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping....

23/05/2024

There is always something fun happenibg in the charming towns that make up Mecklenburg and Halifax Counties. Plan an awesome weekend that combines paddling the blueway with attending a special event or local festival. Just check out our Events Calendar to find something fun for your amily:

Consisting of three rivers and two lakes spanning Halifax and Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike anywhere else in the country.

01/05/2024

If you want to canoe, kayak or paddleboard in southern Virginia, the toughest decision will be which section of the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway to paddle first. Should you choose one of the three rivers or explore the peaceful coves of one of the two lakes? The good news is, you have all spring and summer to explore them all.

Consisting of 3 rivers & 2 lakes spanning Halifax & Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike any other.

27/01/2023

Have you paddled the Banister River in Virginia?

18/08/2022

Cool nights are perfect for hanging out around a campfire after a day of paddling. Here are some great places to camp along or near the blueway.

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of fun with the family or a multi-day wilderness adventure for experienced paddlers, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers everything you need. Check out accommodations, suppliers and other resources to help you plan the perfect trip. Jump To: Local Outfi...

05/08/2022

In between shopping the Back to School sales, be sure to have some fun. There is still plenty of summer left to enjoy paddling, fishing, camping and exploring the blueway.

Welcome to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. Imagine a paddling experience unlike any other: Over one hundred miles of navigable river, leading to 1,200 miles of beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife, just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping....

15/07/2022

The Southern Virginia Wild Blueway consists of roughly 100 miles on three different rivers. About 80 miles of which is officially designated as Virginia Scenic River status. Who is ready to explore a stretch of river that they have never paddled before?

Consisting of 3 rivers & 2 lakes spanning Halifax & Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike any other.

12/07/2022

This sounds fantastic. Thanks for including the Blueway on this awesome tour. What's not to love about this? It includes the beauty of nature, great food, fast cars. Did we mention the food? Thanks Halifax County Virginia Tourism

06/07/2022

Mark your calendar. The 45th Annual Virginia Lake Festival is happening July 15-16 in Clarksville, VA. Spend some time paddling and then follow up with some great food, music, classic car show, hot air balloons and fireworks.

Come Celebrate our 45th year! Visit Clarksville's Annual Virginia Lake Festival. This free event has been named "One of the Top 20 Events" by the Southeast Tourism Society for many years. Friday night we start with Opening Ceremonies with a live band and a sampling of food vendors round out the day....

30/06/2022

On July 4, you can spend a peaceful day on the blueway surrounded by nature followed a fun evening capped off with fireworks. For details on the celebrations happening in the charming towns near the blueway, visit Halifax County Virginia Tourism and Visit Mecklenburg County VA

07/06/2022

The Southern Virginia Wild Blueway consists of portions of three rivers, including the Staunton. Or is it the Roanoke River? It's not a trick question. The 410 mile long river is known as the Roanoke as it flows through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It's more commonly known as the Staunton River in southern Virginia. Then it's known as the Roanoke River again in NC as it flows into the Atlantic at Albemarle Sound. Whatever you wish to call it, it's definitely a scenic river that is ideal for a family paddling trip.

Consisting of 3 rivers & 2 lakes spanning Halifax & Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike any other.

31/05/2022

June 3 - 5, 2022, are Virginia Free Fishing Days. If you're wondering about the fishing on the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway, that's the subject of a couple of questions in our FAQs. Hint: You may reel in a big one.

Is the Blueway appropriate for kids and beginners? Yes. While there are some areas of rapids, the rivers are mostly mild and suitable for children and novice paddlers. With many access points, you can plan a trip as short as a few hours or as long as several days. Do I need to be able […]

17/05/2022

Warm weather will be here by the weekend. Sounds like a great opportunity to spend some quality time on the rivers and lakes of the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway.

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of fun with the family or a multi-day wilderness adventure for experienced paddlers, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers everything you need. Check out accommodations, suppliers and other resources to help you plan the perfect trip. Jump To: Local Outfi...

11/05/2022

Thanks for the shout out Halifax County Virginia Tourism. Another great thing about paddling on the blueway is after a day on the water it's convenient to grab some dinner and relax in Halifax, South Boston or other cool small town.

Did you know? The Southern Virginia Wild Blueway has over 100 miles of navigable water. With various access points on multiple rivers, planning for a few hours on the water or a day long excursion is a breeze! 🌊🚣🛶

10/05/2022

Looking for the best fishin' holes in Halifax County? Need expert tips for landing the biggest catch during the Spring season? Get the scoop from local outdoorsman FISH HARD Charters

https://gohalifaxva.com/local-favorites/? #/post/1884-Fishing-in-Spring

07/04/2022

Are you looking for a getaway that will make the whole family happy? Check out our Events page and plan a long weekend that can include some paddling and fishing on the blueway combined with a local festival, a motorsports race or live music. You can call it a win-win. We just call it FUN.

Consisting of three rivers and two lakes spanning Halifax and Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike anywhere else in the country.

16/03/2022

Spring is just a few days away. Are you ready to get back on the rivers and lakes of the blueway? This helpful checklist from our friends at paddling.com offers some good advice about a pre-season check of your gear. https://paddling.com/learn/spring-prep-list-for-paddlers

Be ready when the ice melts and make the most of this paddling season. I decided it was a sign from the river gods… Hopefully, at the end of last paddling season, you dried your gear, did any necessary repairs, made a list of what you needed for the next year and packed your stuff away in a dry,.....

11/03/2022

The Staunton River has become a walleye fishing destination. Increased stocking into Leesville Reservoir and into the river itself has resulted in an exceptional fishery, especially in the early spring months. Fisheries crews have been busy monitoring the walleye population in the Staunton for the past three years and began a reward tag program in 2020 to determine the amount of fishing pressure the fishery is receiving.

As of February 2022, 900 reward tags have been placed in Staunton River walleye with each tag worth $25 if returned to the address printed on the tag. Reward tags are yellow in color and located on the back of the fish next to the dorsal fin. Early results show that fishing pressure has increased as anglers are discovering this high quality fishery. In 2020, 15% of the walleye tagged were caught and in 2021 that increased to 19%. Fish caught and kept to eat also increased as fishing success improved with a harvest rate of 24% in 2020 and 49% in 2021. We are continuing the study through this year and expect the increasing trend in fishing pressure to continue.

Walleye up to 24 inches are present in the Staunton River and anglers can expect good success in the upper river stretch below Leesville dam and in the Brookneal area. During the spawning run, late February through March, the fish are abundant in those areas. Anglers interested in catching walleye can use a variety of lures including swimbaits (soft plastics), crankbaits, jigs, and live minnows.

Please come out and enjoy this excellent fishery and the beauty of the Staunton River. Also, see the 2022 Walleye Fishing Forecast: https://dwr.virginia.gov/fishing/forecasts-and-reports/walleye-forecast/

08/02/2022

Kerr Lake, also known as Buggs Island Lake, is part of the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. It has record-setting fishing, beautiful scenery and many miles of undeveloped shoreline to explore. Check out this podcast and learn more about the outdoor adventure opportunities on the lake.

🤔QUIZ: What is one of the largest reservoirs in the southeastern United States, is known by two different names, has 850 miles of beautiful shoreline, and is an excellent location for swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, and paddleboarding?

🙋ANSWER: Kerr Lake, known to the locals as Buggs Island Lake, is approximately 50,000 acres and is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

📌Kerr Lake is located in Mecklenburg, Charlotte, and Halifax Counties, on the Virginia and North Carolina border.

🎙Tune in tomorrow to a brand new episode of Virginia Outdoor Adventures Podcast, where my guest, , describes the outdoor adventure opportunities on Kerr Lake.

⛵️If a lake vacation sounds like a great idea, check out Visit Mecklenburg County VA for a list of cabins and inns, farm-to-table restaurants, quaint shops, and local wineries.

🚣‍♂️Mecklenburg County is the perfect base camp for your lake vacation. Visit Mecklenburg’s website (www.visitmeckva.com) has a handy “Plan Your Trip” tool to help you quickly and easily organize an itinerary for your next adventure.

🎧Virginia Outdoor Adventures Podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you listen to podcasts, or click the link in Bio.

📍Lumbee, Saponi, Occaneechi Native Lands

22/09/2021

It's the first day of Autumn but that doesn't mean it's the end of paddling season. Mild fall days are a beautiful time to explore the rivers and lakes of the blueway to enjoy the foliage. Plan your visit today.

Welcome to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. Imagine a paddling experience unlike any other: Over one hundred miles of navigable river, leading to 1,200 miles of beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife, just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping....

02/09/2021

Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine compiled a list of Fall Escapes to see great foliage. We are delighted to see the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway on the list.

Follow one of these byways of the Blue Ridge to create the perfect fall foliage tour.

24/08/2021

Kids are headed back to school and we are less than two weeks from Labor Day. Don't let it get you down. We still have plenty of great paddling weather ahead. Late summer and fall are great times to enjoy the beauty of the blueway. Plan your visit now.

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of fun with the family or a multi-day wilderness adventure for experienced paddlers, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers everything you need. Check out accommodations, suppliers and other resources to help you plan the perfect trip. Jump To: Local Outfi...

03/08/2021

Where did the term "Dog days of summer" come from? During mid-summer, the sun occupies the same part of the sky as Sirius, also known as the Dog Star because it's in the constellation Canis Major. We just love spending summer days with our favorite four-legged friends. Yes, dogs are welcome on the blueway, but we urge you to check with campgrounds and other accommodations about their policies. Plan your visit at https://sovawildblueway.com

Welcome to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. Imagine a paddling experience unlike any other: Over one hundred miles of navigable river, leading to 1,200 miles of beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife, just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping....

19/07/2021

Thank you to our friends at Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine for this wonderful online article. With 100 miles of river and lots of undeveloped shoreline on the lakes, paddling on the blueway really is remote and peaceful. https://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/sponsored-content/remote-and-peaceful-paddling-on-the-southern-virginia-wild-blueway/

Paddle the three rivers and two lakes that make up the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway and you’ll understand why wild is part of the name.

30/06/2021

Weekend Getaway Idea - Combine some quality paddling time on the blueway with attending a festival or concert. We have an Events page to help you plan ahead. https://sovawildblueway.com/upcoming-events/

Consisting of three rivers and two lakes spanning Halifax and Mecklenburg counties, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers a paddling experience unlike anywhere else in the country.

25/06/2021

This is the first full weekend of summer. The weather forecast looks great. Who thinks some time paddling, tubing or fishing on the blueway sounds like a good idea for this weekend? https://sovawildblueway.com

Welcome to the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. Imagine a paddling experience unlike any other: Over one hundred miles of navigable river, leading to 1,200 miles of beautiful lake shoreline. Unspoiled wilderness and abundant fish and wildlife, just a short drive from major cities. Waterfront camping....

18/05/2021

Virginia has awesome state parks and the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway has two of the best. Staunton River State Park and Occoneechee State Park both offer tent, RV and equestrian sites as well as cabins, some of which have water views. For information on these and other camping options, visit our website: https://sovawildblueway.com/plan-your-trip/

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of fun with the family or a multi-day wilderness adventure for experienced paddlers, the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway offers everything you need. Check out accommodations, suppliers and other resources to help you plan the perfect trip. Jump To: Local Outfi...

07/05/2021

The Southern Virginia Wild Blueway's three rivers combine for about 100 miles of navigable water. Roughly 80 of those miles are designated Virginia Scenic River. That program recognizes rivers and streams that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics. It's a designation we're proud of. Read more about this statewide program: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/srmain

21/04/2021

One of the great things about the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway, aside from the awesome paddling, is that you're never far from a cool small town to explore. Today we introduce you to Clarksville, a charming lake front town with great restaurants, shops and overnight accommodations. https://visitmeckva.com/towns/clarksville/ #/

The charming Town of Clarksville was incorporated in 1818 and became a bustling center for commerce and to***co. The damming of the Roanoke River in the 1950s, which created Kerr Lake, had a tremendous impact on the entire county, and, especially Clarksville.

06/04/2021

Are pets allowed? Is there whitewater on the blueway? These are examples of frequently asked questions (FAQs). We have compiled a whole list of these along with answers that we hope you will find helpful when planning a paddling trip. https://sovawildblueway.com/faqs/

Is the Blueway appropriate for kids and beginners? Yes. While there are some areas of rapids, the rivers are mostly mild and suitable for children and novice paddlers. With many access points, you can plan a trip as short as a few hours or as long as several days. Do I need to be able […]