River Trips Begin March 15th — Book Your Watercraft Today!

Burners Ford to Front Royal Outdoors

Multi-day State Park #5

Trip SP5 is a relaxed two-day paddle from Burners Ford to Front Royal Outdoors, covering 18.5 miles of the Shenandoah River’s most scenic stretches. This route is perfect for paddlers wanting a mellow pace, Class i & II rapids with built-in camping options for a comfortable overnight experience.

Spend the night at Shenandoah River State Park (advance reservation required) and enjoy 4 to 6 hours of river time per day. Along the way, you’ll float through quiet forested areas, spot wildlife on the riverbanks, and take in the beautiful valley views. This trip is well-suited for canoes and kayaks and is ideal for paddlers looking for an easygoing adventure with the added convenience of established camping.

Book Today

Choose the right vessel for your trip:

  • Canoe – $138
  • Kayak – $91/$138 (solo/tandem)
  • Fishing Kayak – $108

Please arrive 30 minutes early for your reservations or guided tour. Late arrivals risk delayed shuttle service.

The Key Details

What’s Included

  • The Vessel of your choice [Choose at checkout]
  • Life Jackets (PFDs) & Paddles
  • Safety Briefing & River Map
  • Shuttle Service to the launch site

Route Details

  • Start at Mile #21: Burners Ford landing.
  • Mile #23: The Ledge Rapid (Class II). Best run on the far left.
  • Mile #24-25: National Forest camping on river left.
  • Mile #25: The Millrace on river left. Stay right in the main river channel.
  • Mile #26–27: Slow section with lots of ledges and riffles. Great fishing.
  • Mile #28: Bentonville Landing on river left under bridge.
  • Mile #28.2: Low Water Bridge campground on river left.
  • Mile #29-30: Quiet stretches with overhanging trees and occasional heron sightings.
  • Mile #31 Class I Rapid: Stay in the middle of the river.
  • Mile #32: Shenandoah River State Park. Camp at the River Right campground inside the State Park on river right.
  • Mile #33 – 34: Meandering bends through wooded riverbanks; occasional riffles add fun.
  • Mile #34 – 36: McCoys Ford section, Wide and shallow for 2 miles. Lots of ledges to fish. High cliff on the right just before mile 37.
  • Mile #37 – Karo Rapid (Class II): Follow the fastest moving water and wear your PFD. Karo Landing is on the right.
  • Mile #38: Island in the middle of the river. Nice spot to stop for lunch or to take a break.
  • Mile #39: Small island just right of the center of the river. Shallows just past the island.
  • End at Mile Marker #40: Front Royal Outdoors landing on river right.

Location

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

Cancelation Policy

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:

  • Since we operate rain or shine, you can come on out and take your trip.
  • You may call and reschedule your trip to any future date with availability. Most call the day of your trip.
  • If it is raining here, we can issue store credit that you can use for trips any time in the future. No expiration on the store credit.

Age & Rider Requirements

Our age policy varies by watercraft, and there are no exceptions.

  • Rafts – Minimum age of 4+ with at least 2 adults in the same rafts.
  • Tubes, Kayaks, Canoes & Fishing Kayaks – Minimum age of 5+
  • SUPs – Minimum age of 5+. Suggested age 12+.

For an enjoyable 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.

The River

The Shenandoah River is a scenic gem of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its gentle flows, rolling rapids, and breathtaking landscapes. Flowing through the Shenandoah Valley, it offers the perfect setting for paddling, fishing, and wildlife spotting, making it a top destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Enjoy a mix of gentle currents and fun riffles, perfect for a relaxing float or an exciting paddle, depending on the season and water levels.

Keep an eye out for bald eagles soaring overhead, herons wading along the banks, and deer sipping from the water’s edge.

Paddle through a lush, tree-lined corridor with stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley.

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4.5 Stars
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Reviews from our customers

Tour Video

Additional Information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Our age policy varies by watercraft and there are no exceptions.

  • Rafts – Minimum age of four years old in rafts with at least 2 adults.
  • Tubes – Minimum age of five years old in tubes.
  • Kayaks – Minimum age of five years old in kayaks.
  • Canoes – Minimum age of five years old in canoes.
  • SUPs – Minimum age of five on stand-up paddleboards, recommended minimum age of 12.
  • Fishing Kayaks – Minimum age of five years old in fishing kayaks.

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.

  • Weather forecast
  • River level
  • River temperature
  • Paddling conditions
  • Watercraft return time

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