RECREATIONAL RIVERS

By HARLEIGH CUPP Daily News-Record

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY — Some of America’s oldest roadways are its rivers. Also called blueways, the same winding and flowing rivers that carried settlers deep into the heart of Virginia now offer countless recreational opportunities for visitors and locals alike. There are four main rivers that flow through parts of Rockingham County, but each eventually empty into the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Together, the rivers also provide habitat for a long list of native animal species — some more commonly seen than others — including turtle, muskrat, heron and salamander.

Rivers flowing through the Shenandoah Valley are unique because rather than flowing north to south, they flow south to north and explains why most locals refer to going south as traveling “up the Valley,” according to Virginia.org.

The North River is an extremely diverse fishery that originates high up in the Allegheny Mountains. Its headwaters are cool enough to harbor trout while its downstream sections lend themselves to warmwater fish species such as smallmouth bass, sunfish and rock bass. The easiest public access point is from a recently constructed kayak launch in Mount Crawford where paddlers can float seven or eight hours to the boat landing at Port Republic — where the North joins the South River to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah.

Not to be confused with the falls in Shenandoah National Park, the 50-milelong South River can be traced to just south of Greenville where it flows as little more than a stream until it passes through Waynesboro and Grottoes. While there are many fishing opportunities along the South River, fish consumption is not advised due to a long history of mercury contamination, according to the Department of Wildlife Resources. Popular access points include Crimora Park, Grand Caverns and the boat launch at John E. Painter Park.

The North Fork of the Shenandoah River moves through the opposite side of the county and covers 116 miles from northern Rockingham to Front Royal — where it joins the South Fork to form the Shenandoah River. While many consider this river a canoe paddler’s dream, the North Fork is shallower compared to others and excessive nutrients in the watershed promote the growth of algae and aquatic plants during the summer and fall months, according to the Department of Wildlife Resources. A kayak launch at Memorial Park allows access the the North Fork from Timberville.

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The South Fork of the Shenandoah River begins at the confluence of the North River and South River near Port Republic and flows 97 miles through flat pastureland. A majority of the land bordering the river is private property, but there are several public access points along the way including Island Ford, Elkton and Shenandoah.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources offer helpful information for each of these waterways and more on their website at dwr.virginia.gov.

Massanutten River Adventures — founded by Stephen Nichols and his wife in 2000 — provides guests with easy access to their favorite stretch of the South Fork by renting canoes, kayaks and tubes, and transporting adventurers to and from Massanutten Resort and different launch points along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Having been a resort employee for years, Nichols responded to demand and expanded activities and amenities for its guests. He purchased a few boats, and business has been steady flowing ever since.

Massanutten River Adventures operates independently from Massanutten Resort, but during the peak of summer vacation time, the business shuttles nearly 100 guests to and from the river each day.

“I get out there myself,” remarked Nichols, “and have found that the most intriguing thing about a river trip is that it is all-encompassing and all-engaging in a way that is not found in normal life. Pick a beautiful day, be prepared and just enjoy.”

One memory Nichols recalled from taking his children — who now constitute the second generation of Massanutten River Adventures employees — on the river was challenging them to a turtle count. It’s like the old-school license plate game, but boat style, explained Nichols.

“You can go on the same stretch of river over and over again and still see new things,” Nichols said. “It’s the beauty of the countryside we’re paddling through [that makes the rivers in this area so unique], and we’re super blessed to have such a nice section of river so close to our business.”

To make reservations for a trip along the South Fork this summer or fall, visit Massanutten River Adventures online at massadventures.com.

From kayaking on chilly spring mornings when the tributaries and streams flow heavy with early season rains to tubing down the wide, deep water on a hot summer day to canoeing through reflections of colorful foliage in the fall, the Shenandoah Valley provides the ultimate connection to solitude on several blue-ways that have been nourishing the land for generations.