Wandering Waters Paddle Quest


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 42 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:

  1. Visit a Virginia State Park and participate in a paddle based adventure in one of three ways:


  2. After your visit, log into (or make a new account on) the State Park Adventures page.
  3. 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.
  4. The State Park Adventures system keeps track of your progress and you will receive email confirmation.
  5. 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.

Wandering Waters Paddle Quest prizes

 

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 no yes
Central Virginia Parks Ranger Led Rental Equipment Bring Your Own Equipment
James River yes yes 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

Paddling, lakesPaddling riversPaddling open-waters

Listen to the Wandering Waters Podcast

Join our other adventure programs


Trail Quest  Travel Bug Hotel Geocaching Game

 



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