Planning Your River Float: A Complete Guide
Looking to go out on a river float with your crew? Here’s exactly how to do so on the James River —including where to park, what to bring, and absolutely everything else you need to know to have an awesome (and safe!) time on the water.
— by the RVAx team
Safety & water levels
First things first: You HAVE to check the water level before making any plans. The Westham Gauge will tell you the water level and current conditions, or you can check out the Instagram page @howsthejamesrva for a daily snapshot detailing the air temperature, water temperature, and river level.
Please note that life jackets are required when the river is at or above 5 feet — and only high-water permit holders can be on the river when the river level is at or above 9 feet!
View additional park rules, trail rules, and safety tips here.
Floating the river:
Pony Pasture to Reedy Creek
This route is ideal to float when the river is between 4.5 feet and 6.5 feet. It will take about 3 to 5 hours to float.
You will need two vehicles to park in two separate places!
REEDY CREEK
You’ll go here first and park one vehicle, then you will drive up to Pony Pasture.
Location: 4190 Riverside Dr (Reedy Creek Trail Parking Lot)
When you float from Pony Pasture down to Reedy Creek, you will need to park a vehicle at Reedy Creek in order to get back up to Pony Pasture!
Park at Reedy Creek and stock the car that you leave there with water, towels, a change of clothes and shoes (your water shoes will be wet/muddy when you get back), trash bags — anything you might want or need after nearly 4 hours of floating the river. AKA: the stuff you’ll want when you end your float.
Then jump in the second car and head up to Pony Pasture.
PONY PASTURE
You’ll park your second vehicle here.
Location: 7310 Riverside Dr (Pony Pasture Parking Area)
The car parked at Pony Pasture should contain any supplies you need to start your float. Peep our packing list below for some tips!
Packing list
Bathing suit
Water shoes
Waterproof sunblock
Cooler with ice (the tubes we link below have a built-in cooler)
Water
Beverages of choice (NO GLASS!)
Snacks (trail mix, granola bars, etc.)
Koozies
Trash bags
Waterproof bag/case for cell phone in case of emergency (and for music!)
Waterproof speaker
Tubes
Electric air pump to fill tubes
Extra tube in case one dies
Rope to tie tubes together
Bug spray
Hat
Sunglasses
Towels
Change of shoes
Floating route deets
Launching
You will launch your floats from Pony Pasture. Please note: There are four sets of Class II whitewater rapids during this trip. The first is at Pony Pasture shortly after you launch. Be prepared to paddle your float to avoid big rocks and navigate the rapids!
On the trip
Willow Oaks Country Club and golf course takes up a good portion of your view while floating between Pony Pasture and the first bridge. You will float under three bridges. The Powhite Bridge, the CSX Train Bridge, and lastly, the Boulevard/Nickel Bridge. As you go around the bend after the third bridge, the downtown Richmond skyline will come into view. This means you are close to the end of your float!
Exiting
After the third bridge, you will go through your last whitewater rapid which will keep you to the left/middle of the river. You’ll need to exit on the right, so pay attention here and be ready to paddle a bit!
There is a white, square sign that says “TAKE OUT.” Float that way and into the small canal. You’ll float the little canal for about 10 minutes, and then you’ll see the exit ramp on your right.
You’ll carry your tubes and supplies up the ramp and then cross over the train tracks, and the parking lot will be straight ahead!
In our experience
On one occasion, we went on a float when the river level was 5.25 feet deep. We departed from Pony Pasture at 11 am and floated past Willow Oaks Country Club and under the Powhite Bridge. We stopped to hang on some rocks for about 30 minutes between the Powhite Bridge and CSX Bridge and then continued on, went under the Boulevard/Nickel Bridge, and arrived at Reedy Creek around 3:30 pm. Our total trip time was about 4.5 hours, including the half-hour stop.
Other ways to enjoy the James
If you’re thinking about getting out on the water but don’t necessarily want to do a float, you’re in luck — we’ve got a City Guide for that, too! Check out 8 WAYS TO SPEND THE DAY ON THE JAMES RIVER FROM RELAXING TO THRILL-SEEKING for info on kayaking, whitewater rafting, and more.
Looking for more outdoor activities?:
