Class I Chickahominy Water Trail, VA

Welcome to the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, the nation’s first water trail. As you retrace the voyages of Captain Smith on the Chickahominy River, you can rediscover the Virginia he knew- its natural splendor and rich Native culture. As you explore the Chickahominy’s waters, imagine the abundance that greeted Smith and his fellow Englishmen. Great schools of fish teemed in the clear river, bald cypress trees grew tall along the shore, and overhead waterfowl flew in flocks so thick the sky darkened as they passed.

The Chickahominy River, with its rich array of marshes, swamps and the wildlife they support, has played a vital role in our past. The river sustained a powerful Native people bearing its name, helped spare the starving Jamestown colony, and remains a cradle of ecological diversity and a destination for unparalleled recreational opportunities. Today, the modern Chickahominy and Eastern Chickahominy Indian Tribes celebrate their culture that began centuries ago on the river’s banks. Explore the lore of the Chickahominy River by paddling its creeks, fishing its waters, birding its swamps, hunting its marshes, or tracing its history and culture in the modern landscape.

( Chickahominy Water Trail Map & Guide - PDF)

Section Details

Trip Length 24.8 Miles
Manager James River Association
Wild & Scenic No
Water Trail Yes
Partner Information http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/enjoy-the-james/james-river-maps
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/