Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.


Boat rentals


Most of Virginia State Parks offer boat rentals including canoes, kayaks, paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, Jon boats, motorized boats and tubes. The parks below are sorted by region.

Know before you go! Rental fees and availability vary by park. Availability is also affected by staffing levels. Visit the park's "Know Before You Go" section for specific operating schedules. Rentals may also be suspended due to weather.

map of parks with boat rentals

Blue Ridge

Claytor Lake State Park
Boat rentals are privately owned. Call Claytor Lake Water Sports at 540-731-8683 for rental of various pontoons, motorboats, canoes and kayaks. Mountain 2 Island offers paddleboard rental, gear and lessons. It also will deliver motorboats to guests' docks. Call at 540-230-2023 to make reservations.

A group canoeing at Hungry Mother State ParkHungry Mother State Park
Canoes, kayaks, jon boats, stand-up paddle boards and paddleboats are available for rent Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends through October, weather permitting.

New River Trail State Park
The park rents kayaks and canoes at the Foster Falls Boat and Bike Livery, open seasonally. See this flier for more information.

Central Virginia

Bear Creek Lake State Park
Canoes, rowboats, trolling motors, paddleboats, paddleboards and kayaks are for rent Memorial Day to Labor Day. Parental supervision is required for all rentals. Rentals are sometimes canceled because of bad weather or staff shortages.

Holliday Lake State Park
The park rents Jon boats, canoes, single and tandem kayaks, pedal boats and stand-up paddleboards seasonally. One-hour and four-hour rentals are available for Jon boats, stand-up paddleboards, canoes and sit-on-top kayaks. Pedal boats rent by the hour. Boat operations are open seasonally. Check the Know Before You Go section on the park page for the schedule.

James River State Park
James River Outdoor Adventures rents kayaks, tubes and canoes Thursday-Sunday through Labor Day. More details. Livery services will not be available until further notice. Please check back for updates.

Pocahontas State Park
The park rents paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks. Rentals vary by season and are weather-dependent.

kids renting paddleboatTwin Lakes State Park
Rowboats and canoes are available for rent year-round. Paddle boards and paddleboats are available for rent only during summer. Solo kayaks are rented May through September. For boat rentals, visit the park office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Eastern Shore

Kiptopeke State Park
Solo kayaks, tandem kayaks and stand-up paddle boards may be rented at the camp store. Check the Know Before You Go section of the park page for availability.

Chesapeake Bay

Belle Isle State Park
Canoes and kayaks are available for rent seasonally except when poor weather prevents safe use.

Westmoreland State Park
Paddleboats, stand up paddle boards and kayaks can be rented Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends from mid-April to Memorial Day and from Labor Day to Columbus Day weekend.

Hampton Roads

York River State Park
Paddleboats, jon boats, canoes and kayaks can be rented for use on the pond. Rental equipment is available for use on the creek and the pond from April 1 through the end of October. Weather and water conditions beyond our control may impact rentals. 

Northern Virginia

Mason Neck State Park
Kayak and canoe rentals are available seasonally. Call the park for hours.

Leesylvania State Park
The park offers sailboat rentals through a private concessionaire, the Northern Virginia Sailing School.

Southern Virginia

boat rentals at Fairy Stone State ParkFairy Stone State Park
Rowboats, paddleboats, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and canoes may be rented, weather permitting, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Occoneechee State Park
Pontoons, single and double kayaks, and single and tandem paddle boards, including safety equipment, can be rented near boat ramp 1 from Clarksville Water Sports..

Virginia Mountains

Douthat State Park
Rowboats, with and without electric motors, can be rented from the first Saturday in April through the end of October. Also, paddleboats, hydro bikes and paddleboards may be rented from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day.  

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Boat rentals (canoes, kayaks, hydrobikes, paddleboats, pontoon boats, ski boats and jet skis) are available at the park from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 



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