Whitewater rafting

Finally a thrill-seekers relief in Central Virginia. 

James River Float Company is excited to announce that we are now offering whitewater rafting trips on the beautiful Balcony Falls section of the James River, upper reaches of the Maury River, and of course, the Upper Tye River. 

James River Float Company is very excited  to offer this unique experience and are sure you will go home feeling like you got more than your money’s worth.  $45 per person, minimum 6 people, don’t have enough?  Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one, call and we will see if we can combine your small group with another large group. 

We have several great restaurants that can provide bag lunches for an additional cost.  We will be happy to take your order and get your food out to you on the river at lunchtime.

We are pleased, for the first time to offer whitewater rafting trips in this part of the state.  Some of Central Virginia’s best kept secrets are it’s rivers and the excitement and beauty that they hold. 

Our regular rafting trip (run 7 days a week during the season) begins at our outpost on the banks of the James River in Madison Heights, Virginia. 

There the staff will fit you with a lifejacket and paddle as well as anything else you might need for your adventure, before they had you over to one of our guides. 

From there we will load up in one of the floatmobiles and head North West to the confluence of the Maury and James Rivers. 

There you will be given a safety talk as well as a crash course in whitewater rafting (don’t worry folks, no pun intended).  You and your party will then hop aboard our specially engineered whitewater rafts with one of our special guides and get ready for the Confluence Rapid. 

This rapid, although small, tends to be exciting and has been known to produce swimmers.  Once through the rapid (or back in the boat) your trip will take a slightly more relaxed pace for the next few miles. 

You will drift through one of the most beautiful and historically significant sections of river in the country.  Whether you enjoy looking at pre Civil War stonewalls (over 30 feet tall)or breathtaking mountain views, it’s all here. 

But, don’t be too awed by the sights, because before you know it you will be rounding the bend and squaring up on Balcony Falls. 

But, before the big plunge maybe there will be time for some surfing or possibly a short hike up to a mountain waterfall.  After such activities it will be time to face Balcony Falls. 

With any luck everyone will stay in the boat, or if not it will surely provide a real laugh.  From here you will meander downriver through many small rapids and chutes with ample opportunities to surf or jump off the boat and relax in Balcony Falls’ own natural jet pools. 

As if that wasn’t enough, the river has one last secret before she calms.  Magnificent Jump Rock, known by swimming hole enthusiasts worldwide, this unique stopping point provides two mammoth rocks side by side, with a narrow channel of the James River flowing between them. 

The rock on the left is affectionately known as Lunch Rock, with a beautiful panoramic view of the George, and the rock on the left known as Jump Rock, you can guess what it offers. 

After Jump Rock the rapids begin to let up, yet the mountain views remain spectacular.  Soon you will be able to hear the sounds of 501 and see the smiling face of your awaiting transport back to your vehicle at James River Float Company.  If this sounds exciting to you, you aren’t the only one. 

Head Guide and Owner of James River Float Company has participated as well as guided a lifetime of trips on this run alone.  He still gets as much excitement and pleasure after every run as he did the very first time he floated it as a child.