Virginia whitewater, James River Botetourt county, Route 43 to Route 630 section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS I-II     16.5 miles   The starting location is a short drive from Roanoke, there's a road map further down the page with more info on that. The beautiful scenery of Botetourt County and the playfulness of the water make the trip here worthwhile. This river system is full of great paddling sections, the Route 43 to Route 630 section is just one of them. For all you camping people there are campgrounds nearby. This stretch of James River in Virginia is 16.5 miles     long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class I-II section. There aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The average Virginia whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be easier to run than those in other states, so don't forget that many of the rivers in this state are not very demanding. This stretch is long enough for an overnight trip if you take your time, so go ahead and pack your sleeping bag. No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this is an area with plenty of places for that. Great exercise   and just hanging out with mother nature will make you glad you came. The beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains is a great plus for this river. Briefly about the general area: Don't leave James River without first going for a hike along the Hammond Hollow Trail. People from Eagle Rock love to come to James River, and wonderful hiking is available along the Spec Mines Trail. Lots of fun awaits you along this river. Through the summer highs here at James River get into the 80's. Once the sun is down it dips down to the 60's. For the duration of the winter highs are frequently in the 40's while the cold winter nights at James River are in the 20's. James River, Route 43 to Route 630 road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near James River.   Whitewater Near James River: James River, Botetourt County, 3 miles away       Class I-II - 16.5 miles long (Route 43 to Route 630) Catawba Creek, Botetourt County, 10 miles away       Class I-III - 12 miles long (Fincastle to James River) Roaring Run, Botetourt County, 12 miles away       Class V+ - 1.2 miles long (County line to Recreation Area) Jennings Creek, Botetourt County, 12 miles away       Class II-III - 4.5 miles long (Route 614 to James River) North Creek, Botetourt County, 13 miles away       Class II-IV - 2.5 miles long (Campground to Jennings Creek) Cowpasture River, Botetourt County, 15 miles away       Class I-II - 13.5 miles long (Griffith to James River) Simpson Creek, Alleghany County, 15 miles away       Class II-III - 6.5 miles long (Truckstop to Route 60) Colliers Creek, Rockbridge County, 16 miles away       Class II-III - 4 miles long (Collierstown to Buffalo Creek) Buffalo Creek, Rockbridge County, 17 miles away       Class I-III - 12.5 miles long (Effinger to Buffalo Forge) Wilson Creek, Alleghany County, 17 miles away       Class II-III - 7.5 miles long (Douthat Park Dam to Jackson River)   Ski Areas Near James River: The Homestead, Virginia , 21 miles away, 700 foot drop, 5 lifts, 9 runs Snowshoe, West Virginia , 47 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 14 lifts, 57 runs Wintergreen, Virginia , 60 miles away, 1003 foot drop, 5 lifts, 20 runs Canaan Valley, West Virginia , 81 miles away, 850 foot drop, 4 lifts, 34 runs Massanutten, Virginia , 83 miles away, 1110 foot drop, 8 lifts, 14 runs Timberline, West Virginia , 83 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 4 lifts, 37 runs Winterplace, West Virginia , 93 miles away, 603 foot drop, 9 lifts, 27 runs Bryce Resort, Virginia , 97 miles away, 500 foot drop, 5 lifts, 8 runs   Hotels Near James River: Oak Tree Inn Low Moor, Low Moor , 13 miles away Peaks Of Otter Lodge, Bedford , 14 miles away Quality Inn Troutville, Troutville , 14 miles away Holiday Inn Express TROUTVILLE - ROANOKE NORTH, Troutville , 14 miles away Super 8 Daleville/Roanoke, Daleville , 14 miles away   Campgrounds Near James River: Wonderful Life Campground, Buchanan, 7 miles away Bobbletts Gap Shelter - Appalachian Trail, Montvale, 8 miles away Cove Mt Shelter - Appalachian Trail, Buchanan, 9 miles away   Trails Near James River: Hammond Hollow Trail, Botetourt , 8 miles away Spec Mines Trail, Botetourt , 8 miles away Curry Creek Trail, Botetourt , 10 miles away McFalls Ridge Trail, Botetourt , 11 miles away Cove Mountain Trail, Botetourt , 11 miles away   Public Lands Near James River: Booker T Washington National Monument, Hardy - VA , 23 miles away Douthat State Park, Virginia , 16 miles away Jefferson National Forest, Virginia , 21 miles away Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Virginia , 30 miles away   Golf Courses Near James River: Botetourt Country Club, Troutville , 13 miles away Alleghany Country Club, Covington , 15 miles away Putt Putt Golf & Games, Roanoke , 19 miles away   Lakes Near James River Pike Pond, Alleghany , 13 miles away Beaverdam Reservoir, Bedford , 16 miles away