Outside Magazine's

Best River Town

The Great Outdoors in the Richmond Region

Welcome to our natural playground

When kayakers ride straight through the middle of your downtown, you know you’re a great place for the outdoors. Here, the James River rules, with whitewater kayaking on the nation’s only urban class IV rapids, along with rafting, swimming, tubing and guided tours. Alongside the James, there’s 52 miles of Capital Trail bike trail, which starts in downtown Richmond and goes all the way to Williamsburg. Rent a bike or hike the James River Park System, Pocahontas State Park trails or our downtown island retreat, Belle Isle. Or go on a guided bike, Segway or scooter tour of street art and the river.

There's something to do in the great outdoors year round in the Richmond Region. Plan your visit around Richmond’s Biggest Block Party, the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k. Or Richmond’s Dominion Energy Riverrock, the country’s premier outdoor music and sports festival -- it takes place every May on Brown’s Island along the banks of the James (5k mud run, anyone? Rock climbing? Slackline?) Yes, this is the place for an active, healthy, fresh air kind of vacation. Let’s get you moving.

Get Outdoors in Richmond

Bike, raft, hike, run and climb your way through the Richmond Region.