This 8-mile trip from Shenandoah River State Park to Front Royal Outdoors is ideal for those looking for a little more adventure in their half-day float. Trip SP3 offers 3 to 4 hours of paddling through beautiful scenery, a Class II rapid at Karo and quiet stretches perfect for spotting wildlife or enjoying a swim. Great fishing.
This route is well-suited for canoes & kayaks, and is best enjoyed when the river is flowing above 1.8 feet on the Front Royal gauge. Whether you’re looking to relax or paddle at a steady pace, this trip delivers an unforgettable experience on the water through some of the Shenandoah’s most scenic riverbanks.
Choose the right vessel for your trip:
Please arrive 30 minutes early for your reservations or guided tour. Late arrivals risk delayed shuttle service.
All trips take place on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, suitable for all experience levels. Come to our office at 8567 Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, VA to check in 30 minutes before your trip
We operate rain or shine! No refunds due to inclement weather on the day of your trip. Reservations cancelled 72 hours prior receive full refund, inside 72 hours receive 50% refund and cancellations on the day of the trip receive no refund.
If it is raining here on the day of your trip, you have three options:
Our age policy varies by watercraft, and there are no exceptions.
For a safe and fun experience, please ensure all participants meet the minimum age requirements for their chosen vessel!
All guests must wear either shoes, water shoes, or sandals with a heel strap. We do not allow flip-flops to be worn on any river trips.
Shenandoah River State Park offers adventure on and off the river, providing public access to the South Fork of the Shenandoah River and the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge and Massanutten mountain area. Spend time hiking, biking, enjoying a riverside picnic, and swimming. The Park has camping, cabins, picnic areas, and a boat landing to make accessing the Shenandoah easy. Front Royal Outdoors offers many trips that either start in, end at, or camp in the State Park.
Shenandoah River State Park offers amazing views of the river, abundant wildlife, and great fishing. Three different camping areas, cabins, and yurts add to your experience at the park.
The park features over 18 trails for all levels of hiking abilities, from easy level hikes to more intense hikes with great views of the river valley and mountains.
For ease of accessing the river, the park offers a nice boat launch and a day use area complete with shelters, picnic tables, and grills.
"I was part of a scout canoeing day this past weekend, and we had such a great time at Front Royal Outdoors. They dealt with the kids great, had nice equipment, and made the entire trip smooth. We had a great day on the water! The two labs that greeted us in the parking lot and again when we pulled up to shore at the end of our day were a nice bonus. The scouts got to play with the dogs in the water, and they were so sweet-natured."
"We had an amazing time even with the water levels low and slow. The best part is you can rent a Doggy Tube for your best friend. We saw 5 other dogs tubing, and they seemed comfortable on the tubes as well. The staff was cool during and after. Our battery died in the parking lot, and the Owner and one of the employees gave us a jump and got us back on the road. Thanks for the help; it meant a lot. We will definitely go back, and we highly recommend this place."
"Lovely weather and perfect timing for a seven-mile paddle down the Shenandoah River. We left promptly, and I was able to get out on the water quickly. The mile markers were easy to spot, and the kayak slid over and around rocks with ease. I was a little worried the heavy traffic headed to the park would complicate my pickup, but the driver knew the best back roads to take. I'll definitely return next season!"
"Friendly staff, great prices. We went tubing and kayaking on the same weekend. The river is beautiful, and the company makes the whole process very easy. They have a little shop full of cute things, and cute dogs as well !!! You can’t tell by pictures, but the river is crystal clear. You can see right down to the rocky bed underneath of you. Very pretty riverbed with all colors of rocks and bolders! Went swimming during some stops along the islands. The water and weather were perfect, and it felt great!"
"Excellent Company! Very easy to communicate with and flexible with plans. I wanted to do an overnight canoe trip; unfortunately, the river was really low, and the trip I picked wasn’t going to work. The gentleman at the desk pointed me in the right direction to get an overnight trip in. My daughter and I had a blast, even though the water was low. We caught tons of fish and camped on state land. I can’t forget the drivers that dropped us off and picked us up. They provided great info and were very professional. thanks gents! I would recommend this company every day of the week if you’re looking for a great boating experience."
Our age policy varies by watercraft and there are no exceptions.
All participants will be required to read and sign our liability waiver and assumption of risk form. All participants under the age of eighteen must have a parent or guardian sign the liability waiver and assumption of risk form.
All of our trips float the South Fork of the Shenandoah River, a great river for all experience levels. We are located at 8567 Stonewall Jackson Hwy, Front Royal, VA 22630. A map to our headquarters is available on our directions page. Please come to our office to participate in any river activity. All of our trips include free shuttle service to and from the river. Once you arrive at our office, transportation of guests and equipment to the river is provided. We do have parking on the main office property for all guests taking our trips. Parking is limited, therefore we recommend arriving early and carpooling as much as possible. Parking is not available for those not taking our trips. We also offer maps of the North Section (Bentonville to Front Royal) and the South Section (Luray to Bentonville).
There are no lifeguards or safety personnel on the river. You are responsible for yourself and the group that you brought with you.
All guests must wear either shoes, water shoes or sandals with a heel strap. We do not allow flip-flops to be worn on any river trip.
For your protection, three is the maximum number of people per canoe (but two is recommended), one person per solo kayak, two people per tandem kayak, one person per tube, up to four people in 4-man rafts and up to six people in 6-man rafts.
Our trip departure times are recommendations as to when you should arrive for your trip. Trips depart on a first come first serve basis and you do not need to notify us that you are running a few minutes late, as long as you arrive before the final shuttle of the day for your selected trip. As a general rule, please try not to be more than 15 minutes later than your selected arrival time. There are no refunds for missing the final shuttle for your selected trip. Please closely review the duration of your trip selection and our hours of operation in order to plan ahead.
Alcohol and watersports do not mix. Please refrain from bringing alcohol on any river trip. Anyone under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is subject to arrest by state and local authorities.
Please arrive 30 minutes early for your reservations or guided tour. Late arrivals risk delayed shuttle service.
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Weekdays: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Weekends: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Our season runs mid-March to early November.
Daily departures begin at 9AM on weekdays and 8AM on weekends.
Booking office hours: Weekdays 9AM to 5PM and Weekends 8AM to 6PM
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