Wandering Waters Paddle Quest – Get on the water at a Virginia State Park and explore.
Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m., Feb. 15 through April 30.
Wandering Waters Paddle Quest
The wandering waters of Virginia connect communities and people across landscapes and through time. From mountain streams and lakes to tidal rivers and bays, the waters of Virginia provide an endless source of adventure and fun. Beginners can get into paddle sports at one of our tranquil lakes or go with the flow on a lazy stretch of river.
Get on the water
and explore at a Virginia State Park. Get prizes just for doing so.
There are 44 total state parks, with 31 offering the Paddle Quest program. You must visit the Know Before You Go section on each
park page
before visiting and check with the park about operating hours and availability. Park rentals are subject to change due to staffing and water/weather conditions.
Here's how it works:
Visit a
Virginia State Park
and participate in a paddle based adventure in one of three ways:
Join a
Ranger Guided paddle program
Rent paddle equipment
from the park and go on a self-guided tour
Bring your own equipment
and design your own paddling experience
After your visit, log into (or make a new account on) the
State Park Adventures
page.
Select the name of the park you visited, pick "Wandering Waters," and record the date of the visit and method of participation. The “Wandering Waters” option will only be available if the park you select has paddling amenities.
The
State Park Adventures
system keeps track of your progress and you will receive email confirmation.
Paddles taken at a park prior to the start of the program on May 3, 2023, do not count towards the Wandering Waters program.
Here's what you get when you paddle at participating parks:
Paddle at 5 parks and you get a sticker.
Paddle at 10 parks and you get a patch.
Paddle at 20 parks and you get a mesh gear bag.
Paddle at all 31 parks that offer the program, and you get a cellphone dry bag and a certificate.
Get more information about the program by reading a
Q&A with program creator Sammy Zambon
Sign up now!
Chesapeake Bay Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Belle Isle
yes
yes
yes
Caledon
yes
no
no
Machicomoco
yes
no
yes
Westmoreland
yes
yes
yes
Coastal VA - Eastern Shore Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Kiptopeke
yes
yes
yes
Coastal VA - Hampton Roads Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
First Landing
no
no
yes
False Cape
yes
no
yes
Chippokes
yes
no
yes
York River
yes
yes
yes
Northern Virginia Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Widewater
yes
yes
yes
Lake Anna
yes
no
yes
Leesylvania
yes
yes
yes
Mason Neck
yes
yes
yes
Shenandoah Valley Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Shenandoah River
yes
no
yes
Seven Bends
yes
yes
yes
Central Virginia Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
James River
yes
no
yes
Pocahontas
yes
yes
yes
Powhatan
yes
no
yes
Bear Creek Lake
yes
yes
yes
Twin Lakes
yes
yes
yes
Holliday Lake
yes
yes
yes
Southern Virginia Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Fairy Stone
yes
yes
yes
Occoneechee
no
yes
yes
Staunton River
yes
no
yes
Virginia Mountains Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Douthat
yes
yes
yes
Smith Mountain Lake
yes
yes
yes
Blue Ridge Highlands Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Claytor Lake
no
yes
yes
New River Trail
yes
yes
yes
Hungry Mother
yes
yes
yes
Heart of Appalachia Parks
Ranger Led
Rental Equipment
Bring Your Own Equipment
Clinch River
yes
no
yes
Natural Tunnel
yes
no
yes
See a map of the parks.
Learn More about Paddling
Join our other adventure program
Find a Job
at
Virginia State Parks
Order your
Virginia State Parks
license plate
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Virginia State Parks are managed by the
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
600 E. Main St., 24
th
Floor | Richmond, VA 23219
To learn about park offerings and overnight accommodations, email
resvs@dcr.virginia.gov
or call
800-933-PARK (7275)
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vastateparks@dcr.virginia.gov
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Last Modified:
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