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A Riverside raft crew with paddles raised, surrounded by whitewater
Checking the river…Westham gauge, USGS

Class IV rapids. Downtown Richmond.

Guided rafting, tubing, and kayak trips on the James River, from our shop at 325 S. 14th Street. On the river since 2005.

Find your trip804-560-0068
  • America Outdoors outfitter member
  • Richmond: Outside Magazine’s “Best River Town”

Big whitewater, right downtown.

The James is the only river in the country with Class III–IV rapids running through the heart of a city. Riverside has been on it since 2005, and shows more than 4,000 people a year why Richmond is the best river city in the U.S.

Rapid class
III–IV
Since
2005
Guests a year
4,000+
Trips
7
Rafts on the James running a rapid under the downtown Richmond bridges
Downtown rapids, under the city’s bridges

Pony Pasture to 14th Street, one stretch at a time.

Every trip runs a piece of the same river. Pick one below to see where it puts in, which rapids it runs, and what it costs.

  • Your trip’s route
  • Put-in and take-out
  • Named rapid
Belle IslePony PastureClass I–IIChoo ChooClass I–IIMitchell’s GutClass I–IIHollywoodClass III–IVFish Ladderor Second BreakClass III–IVPipelineClass IVHuguenot BridgePony PastureReedy CreekBoulevard BridgePut-inTredegar14th StreetTake-outRocketts LandingSchematic, not to scale. Water flows left to right.
Rafters paddling hard through a rapid with downtown buildings behind themMost popular

Guided raft

Lower River Rafting

Boulevard Bridge to 14th Street

Water
Class II–IV
Time
About 3 hours
Ages
9+
From
$75weekdays, $78 weekends

Put in by the urban forest, turn the corner at Belle Isle, and run the biggest rapids in the city with the skyline in front of you.

Rapids on this stretch: Hollywood, Fish Ladder, Pipeline

Book Lower River RaftingCall 804-560-0068

More ways to get outside with the Riverside family

The river right now.

The James rises and falls with every storm upstream. This reading comes straight from the Westham gauge, the one Richmond uses for its river rules.

Checking the Westham gauge…

Check the latest reading on the USGS James River near Richmond page, or call the shop.

Check How’s the James?
Friends relaxing on the Riverside shop patio beside a river mural and a cornhole board
The Riverside Outfitters shuttle bus, painted with a river mural
The shuttle to the put-in

How trip day goes.

  1. Sign the waiver

    Fill it out before you arrive and check-in goes faster.

    Open the waiver (PDF)

  2. Park at the shop

    Use a “Reserved for Riverside” spot in the Park 14th lot at 325 S. 14th Street, then check in at the front desk.

  3. Gear up and ride out

    Your guide fits you for the trip, then the crew heads up the river to the put-in.

  4. Run the James

    Rapids, a break out on an island, and time to swim, with your guide calling every line.

  5. Porch time

    Take out at 14th Street by historic Shockoe Slip, then it’s back to the shop for a drink and some front porch sittin’.

Professional photos from your trip go up at riversideoutfitters.smugmug.com.

The James, from the front of the raft.

Helmet-cam runs from Riverside guides, from summer surf sessions to the river at 14.5 feet. Pick a clip, then press play.

Clip 1 of 82nd Break hit0:42 · filmed by Riverside guides

More from the river on Vimeo, YouTube, and Instagram.

An outdoor community center first.

In 2005, Scott Turner, owner of Truetimber Arborists, fixed up an old farmhouse in Stratford Hills as a neighborhood hub for the James River Park System, starting with recreational tree climbing and boat and bike rentals.

Matt Perry joined as co-owner and president in May 2007 and built the team that added rafting, youth programs, paddleboarding, kayaking, and tubing. Two decades on, Riverside still calls itself an outdoor community center first and a commercial outfitter second.

“Significantly and responsibly increasing recreational use of Richmond’s natural landscape by providing world-class outdoor experiences and inspiring a return to natural fun.”

Riverside Outfitters’ mission
Rafts
15
Raft guides, about
45
Camp counselors
21
A Riverside raft crew with paddles in the air in front of big rocks and whitewater
A golden retriever looking out the window of the teal Riverside van
A group carrying orange kayaks down a sandy river trail

Join the crew.

Riverside hires raft guides, shop staff, and trip photographers, and trains new guides every spring.

See open jobs
A large group in helmets and life jackets lined up in front of the Riverside shuttle

Bring the whole crew.

Schools, universities, camps, churches, military units, scouts, companies, and big families. Groups of 10 or more get a lower rate per person.

Who’s coming?

Groups of 20 or more people get the group rate on the Lower River Rafting trip. The shop confirms your price and date.

Group rates per person
Trip10 to 1920 or more
Lower or Upper River$72$75 weekends$68$71 weekends
Falls of the James$93$96 weekends$89$92 weekends

Weekday prices shown. Want something custom? Call 804-560-0068.

From the raft.

Eight recent guests, in their own words. Guides get named a lot.

More on Tripadvisor
  • Our guide, Katy, provided some Richmond history on our ride to the drop off, some great jokes for the kids, and plenty of “M&Ms with obstacles” during our break on the shore. I felt completely safe and in good hands.

    Rose & FamilyUpper River Rafting

  • While the river was low, we still had good rapids, ample swimming and jumping time, and thoroughly enjoyed the time together. Kyle is knowledgeable and a good coach for paddling. We will be back.

    MeridethLower River Rafting

  • Our guide, Ty, was exceptional! Between his skill, his expertise, and his sense of humor, he gave us such a memorable experience. This is probably my 3rd or 4th time using RO and it’s always great.

    JasonFalls of the James

  • Have done rafting trips down the James with a group of 20–25 for 3 straight years now. Can’t say enough good things and we look forward to this excursion every single year.

    KenLower River Rafting

  • Scott was amazing on the river as our guide. He was great with our 8 yr old and 11 year old boys. We were well cared for and felt safe and secure.

    NatalieUpper River Rafting

  • Scott was a great guide. He directed us super well, knew all the landmarks we passed, and pointed out fish and birds. It was our first time rafting, and we felt very comfortable.

    RomashkaLower River Rafting

  • We have 2 children under 12 and I can’t think of anything we’ve done together that was as much fun and surprising for our kids!

    AdamFalls of the James

  • Hayley was our guide and she did such an amazing job, extremely knowledgeable with every question our group asked. 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

    ShannonUpper River Rafting

The shop is on the river.

325 S. 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219

In the Park 14th lot, near the 14th Street takeout by historic Shockoe Slip.

Get directionsBuy a gift certificate