River and Riparian

Rappahannock Adventures offers guided outdoor experiences that connect visitors with the natural landscapes, history, and living traditions of Virginia's Middle Peninsula and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Based in Tappahannock, Virginia, the outfitter leads paddling, fishing, birding, hiking, biking, and youth programs that encourage visitors to explore the Rappahannock River and nearby waterways. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Rappahannock Adventures provides personalized excursions that combine recreation with interpretation. Guided trips introduce participants to tidal rivers, forests, wetlands, wildlife, and watershed ecology while exploring the region's Indigenous history, colonial settlement, maritime heritage, and the continuing relationship between people and the Chesapeake Bay. The organization collaborates with partners including the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge, local museums, schools, conservation organizations, and historic sites, encouraging visitors to discover additional Chesapeake Gateways destinations throughout the region. Programs are customized for families, youth, school groups, organized groups, and independent travelers, with accessible experiences available upon request. By combining outdoor recreation, environmental education, and cultural interpretation, Rappahannock Adventures helps visitors build meaningful connections with the Chesapeake Bay watershed while supporting stewardship and conservation. Whether paddling a quiet creek, watching wildlife, or learning about the region's rich history, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the landscapes and communities that define the Chesapeake. Visitors are encouraged to learn more through their website .

Half Day Adventure To A Celebrated Grove Visitors wishing to go to the Tall Trees Grove must apply online for a free reservation These are limited to 50 parties for each day, and permits are issued up to 24-hours ahead of time. Tall Trees permits are no longer issued in person at our visitor centers. This 4.5-mile (6.5km) round trip backcountry hike with a total 1,600 feet (487 m) elevation change is frequently written about in blogs, international publications, and by travel writers. As a result, this trail gets a lot of attention - but this hike is not for the faint of heart - or for people short on time. The Tall Trees Trail is a moderately strenuous hike that descends 800-feet down to the alluvial floodplain of Redwood Creek. The grove has plenty of water, good soil, and protection from winter winds and as a result has many redwood trees that exceed 350 feet (106 meters) in height. Remember to stay on trail. Luckily, there are many other trails in the redwood parks that are easier to access and physically easier to hike. These other trails will also will lead you to equally beautiful old-growth redwood groves. If you want our best suggestion for an alternative to the Tall Trees Trail, we suggest the Karl Knapp (Prairie Creek) to Foothill Trail Loop . It is very easy to get to, it has redwoods just as tall, and that loop is much easier on the knees and heart. The grove was featured in a famous 1963 National Geographic Magazine article that helped propel a public push for the creation of Redwood National Park. The tallest tree in the world is not located in the Tall Trees Grove. After the discovery by the National Geographic survey team, the tree known as the Libby Tree, or "Tall Tree", held the title until 1994 when the top died back, dropping it down to the 34th tallest tree on the planet. Be Prepared: Make sure you have food, water, sturdy shoes, raingear, and a flashlight. Access: Allow a 1-hour drive (including 7-miles on a dirt road) from the nearest visitor center to the trailhead. The road to the Tall Trees trailhead is a narrow and windy. The small parking lot does not accommodate RVs over 21 feet or vehicles towing trailers. There is a locked gate at the top of the road to manage the traffic and to avoid overcrowding. We recommend that visitors do not rely on digital maps to find your way to the gate - digital map accuracy and data coveage in our area is poor. Park rangers will provide good directions when you get your free online permit. Two vault toilets, a shelter, and information and interpretive panels are located at the trailhead.

The Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows Bikepacking Route is a 300-mile mixed surface cycling experience that connects visitors to the history, landscapes, and communities of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Looping around Shenandoah National Park, the route links eight memorials created by the Blue Ridge Heritage Project that commemorate the families displaced during the park's establishment in the 1930s. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, the route combines outdoor recreation with place-based interpretation, inviting cyclists to explore the headwaters of streams that flow into the Shenandoah, Potomac, Rappahannock, and James River watersheds before reaching the Chesapeake Bay. Traveling by bicycle encourages visitors to experience the landscape at a slower pace while passing through rural communities, agricultural valleys, forested hills, and scenic mountain roads. Interpretive materials, digital resources, and memorial sites share stories of Indigenous peoples, early settlement, mountain communities, and the lasting effects of park creation on local families. Along the route, visitors gain a deeper understanding of how geography, waterways, and cultural traditions have shaped the region over time. Clear navigation resources and trip planning information help cyclists travel safely while connecting with local communities and services throughout the route. By combining recreation, history, and stewardship, the Blue Ridge Hills & Hollows Bikepacking Route encourages visitors to discover how the Blue Ridge Mountains and their headwaters are an important part of the greater Chesapeake Bay watershed. Visitors are encouraged to learn more through their website .

If it’s not too hot outside, we suggest exploring Paradise! Take the Paradise Creek trail through Paradise Canyon in the foothills of Sequoia National Park. Gentle Paradise Canyon contrasts sharply with its surrounding terrain. This moderate 1-mile trail winds through a deciduous, oak woodlands and passes waterfalls and pools. Cross the Middle Fork Bridge and then parallel Paradise Creek for the rest of the hike. After one mile, the trail ends. Turn around unless you are prepared for off-trail hiking. Notice: The Buckeye Flat campground is currently closed due to ongoing repairs. The trail is only accessible to pedestrians by parking at Hospital Rock and walking the closed road 0.7 miles to the trailhead. There are currently no restroom facilities available at Buckeye Flat Campground. Beware: Poison oak is common along this trail. Learn how to identify Poison Oak , as it can irritate skin and cause rash and/or blisters. An easy phrase to remember is "Leaves of three, let it be." If you see a small plant or shrub with shiny leaves bundled in "threes", be sure to stay away. Try not to brush your clothes or shoes against this plant, as your clothes can carry the plant oils and cause irritation when you get home.

After a difficult one-mile incline to the top, hikers can watch a waterfall cascade down a cliff and take in the incredible views of the larger river valley at Jensen’s Ledges. Rock cairns/rock sculptures sitting along the edge of the mountain near the ledges also provide a unique and majestic feature to the summit. Along the way, check out the bluestone rock, a nod to the history of bluestone quarrying in the area. For hikers who choose to continuing hiking past the ledges, the rest of the trail weaves through towering forest and alongside bubbling streams. Please note that this trail is not regularly maintained and one may encounter downed trees, wet/muddy areas, and potentially parts of the trail flooded with several inch-deep water, especially after heavy rain. Trail conditions can differ depending on season and weather. Parts of the trail require hikers to cross small streams to continue. Although these streams are less than a foot deep, they can be too wide to jump across. Red, circular trail markers on trees indicate the trail path, which sometimes can be difficult to discern due to trail conditions and confusing signage. We recommend all visitors sign in to the trail register at the start of the trail. Please note that there are no restrooms available. This trail is managed by the New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation Game Lands 209 and parts of the trail are on or surrounded by private property. Please stay on the trail and do not trespass onto private property. Directions to Jensen's Ledges Shortly after trail register, there is a fork in the trail. Take the left path, which also has a sign indicating that it leads to the ledges. Trail will be a regular incline. After the trail begins to flatten at the top, there is a fork in the path. The right leads down to cross a wider stream. To see the waterfall, look for a smaller path to the right of the trail leading down across the stream. This path leads to a ledge with the waterfall. To reach Jensen’s Ledges, cross the stream and follow the trail. You will shortly see a path leading off the main trail to the right, marked with fall hazard signs. Take this path to the ledges. The trail continues on past Jensen's Ledges, but the best scenic views are at the waterfall and Jensens' Ledges. Parking At the trailhead there is an unpaved, gravel lot that can accommodate 10-15 cars. After rain there may be mud and/or standing water. Safety This land is managed by New York State Department of Enviornmental Conservation Game Lands. For safety, please wear bright or fluorescent orange or pink to increase your visibility while hiking in these lawful hunting areas. Please exercise caution and situational awareness with weather and river conditions while hiking. During all seasons, there is always a risk of ticks. Please check for ticks on yourself and any pets after hiking. Please note that there is very limited cell connectivity in the area and cell phones may not receive signal along the river or on the hike. Respect private property and stay on the trail. Leave No Trace and Pack It In, Pack It Out Please practice "Leave No Trace" principles and do not litter or leave any waste, including animal waste, behind. Take waste with you and dispose of it properly. There are no trash receptacles available on the trails or at the trailheads, so you must take any trash with you when you leave. Please leave nature as you found it. This includes not touching, moving, sitting on, or altering the rock cairns around Jensen's Ledges. Do not start or create fires or campfires.

In 2026, the Silver Falls Trailhead in the Ohanapecosh Campground is CLOSED due to the Ohanapecosh Construction Project . Please note: Silver Falls can be accessed from the Grove of the Patriarchs parking lot via the Eastside Trail . The portion of the trail connecting to the Ohanapecosh Campground is closed and the Silver Falls Trail cannot be hiked as a loop . The two sides of the trail on either bank of the Ohanapecosh River can be hiked as out-and-back routes only. The Silver Falls Loop Trail is a moderately-strenuous round trip loop trail, heading up one side of the Ohanapecosh River and returning down the other side. It gains 500 feet of elevation, making it popular with families and an excellent option for many ages and abilities. Starting at Ohanapecosh Campground, choose your own adventure by going clockwise or counterclockwise. Hikers can begin their journey from Loop B (near the visitor center), or across the river near the campground amphitheater. The trail runs parallel to the Ohanapecosh River before crossing it, leading hikers to a bridge with a stunning view of Silver Falls. The turquoise water churns below, turning white as the water rushes around rocks, and between the eroded walls of the small canyon. The trail continues along the other side of the Ohanapecosh River, leading hikers back to the campground. Caution : Do not approach the river’s edge or jump in near the falls. Rocks along the river are slippery and the water is turbulent and dangerously cold. Supervise children closely and stay behind barriers. Although there is no wilderness camp in the area surrounding Silver Falls, the Ohanapecosh Campground is available for visitors who wish to camp in the vicinity. For those who prefer to hike to a trailside camp rather than stay in a drive-in campground, wilderness camping permits are required. Permits, backpacking information, fishing regulations, and current trail conditions for the area are available from the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center. Permits and information are also available park-wide from wilderness information centers, ranger stations, and visitor centers. Trail Statistics Distance, round trip: 3 miles Elevation gain: 500 feet Hiking time, round trip: 2 hours Wilderness Camps: None Rules & Regulations Pets are not allowed on trails No campfires (backcountry stoves are okay) No bicycles on trails Pack out trash Do not feed or disturb wildlife Do not disturb any natural, cultural, or archeological features Permits are required for all overnight wilderness use in the park, and for travel on glaciers above 10,000 feet

Depending on your journey, you've either passed through the Foothills Entrance Station or you're about to leave the park for the next chapter in your trip. Take a moment to stop at the Foothills Visitor Center. Get information about the road ahead. Pick up some maps, books, and gifts. Use the restrooms. Browse exhibits about the ecology and human history of the foothills, and join a free ranger-led program if one's on the schedule.

The South Rim Drive is a scenic paved road that follows the canyon rim for 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and features 12 overlooks. Most overlooks are reached by hiking a short trail. There are three handicap-accessible overlooks: Pulpit Rock, Chasm View, and Sunset View. Allow 2-3 hours to view several overlooks. Those with limited time should consider stopping at Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall and Sunset View. The South Rim Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the canyon, is located at Gunnison Point. The visitor center is open daily throughout the year. In winter and early spring, the South Rim Drive is closed to vehicles just past the visitor center. During this time, the drive is open only for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

The hike to "the Notch" is a challenging day hike that proceeds through McKittrick Canyon to a dramatic viewpoint about half way up toward McKittrick Ridge. For most hikers this destination makes a dramtic turn-around point for an excellent day hike in McKittrick Canyon. Distance: 9.0 miles (14.5 km) round-trip, out and back Elevation Change: 1,092 feet Time Estimate: 5-7 hours Difficulty: Difficult, past the Grotto

St. Michaels Sailing Charters offers visitors an opportunity to experience the Chesapeake Bay aboard Lady Patty, a beautifully restored wooden ketch built in 1935 on Maryland's Western Shore. Departing from historic St. Michaels, this Chesapeake Gateways Experience combines authentic sailing with interpretation of the Bay's natural, cultural, and maritime heritage. Each sail invites visitors to experience the Chesapeake as generations of mariners have, powered by the wind while exploring the Miles River and surrounding Bay waters. Small group charters encourage conversation with the captain and crew, who share stories about Chesapeake shipbuilding, working waterfronts, navigation, local wildlife, and the communities that have depended on these waters for centuries. Along the way, visitors observe changing shorelines, tidal habitats, birdlife, and historic landmarks while learning how the Bay continues to shape the region's culture and economy. Built as an offshore racing yacht, Lady Patty spent decades sailing and racing across the Chesapeake before transitioning into a cruising vessel. Today, the vessel serves as a living example of traditional wooden boat craftsmanship and Chesapeake maritime history. As part of the Chesapeake Gateways Network, Lady Patty Sailing Charters connects visitors with the Chesapeake Bay through recreation, interpretation, and stewardship. Each voyage encourages a deeper appreciation of the Bay's history, ecology, and enduring importance while inspiring care for this nationally significant watershed. Learn more by visiting their website . This location does not accept the America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Entrance fees and ticket policies are set independently by the managing partner, as detailed on their website.