Canoeing

Fishing the James River means chasing smallmouth bass, flathead and channel catfish, and panfish from Botetourt County through Nelson's border, with both mountain and Piedmont stretches producing year-round action. Midway Concrete Ramp (In James River WMA off Rt.

The James River forms Nelson County's southeastern border, offering endless canoe and kayak launches, johnboat access, and fishing for smallmouth, largemouth, catfish, and sunfish along Virginia's most storied waterway. James River corridor on Nelson's southeastern edge with multiple ramps, float trips, and access to the 64-mile Upper James River Water Trail.

40-acre DGIF lake with boat ramp, year-round bank fishing, electric-motor boating, and seasonal restrooms near Arrington. Lake Nelson is a 40-acre DGIF reservoir with a concrete boat ramp, 24/7 access, and electric-motor-only fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, channel cats, and sunfish just outside Arrington.

Rockfish River paddling routes tracing the confluence of its forks with gentle Class I–II water, winter flows, and Route 6 takeouts. The Rockfish River begins where its North and South forks meet in Nelson County, then slides southeast toward the James—providing scenic paddles, Class I riffles, and seasonal floats between Route 600, Route 6, and Scottsville.

34-mile Blue Ridge stream offering Class I–II+ whitewater, mountain views, and seasonal paddling windows for experienced canoeists.

31-mile Schuyler countryside loop from Walton's Mountain Museum past the James River and Esmont farms with plenty of quiet ridge lines.