Poquoson River in Virginia

Trip Overview

About the third time I had ever been in my kayak I decided to drive down Big Bethel Road to see if there was any water at the end. Living on the Virginia Peninsula means that, if the road runs north to south, there is probably water at either end. Sure enough Route 600 dead ends into a parking lot with a boat ramp that leads into the Poquoson River. The Poquoson River is a narrow winding waterway that leads into the Chesapeake Bay. In the late summer because of my schedule I was unfortunate enough to only be able to steal away a few hours after work each day to paddle. The Poquoson River turned out to be the perfect place for my short trips. The long winding nooks and crannies can give you a few quite hours away while still being VERY close to everything on the Middle Peninsula. After putting in at the boat ramp a strait shot will take you to the Chesapeake Bay and past at least two large Osprey nests. Turning left from the ramp is probably a good mile of twists and turns that run you near everything from tall reeds and water grass to people's back yards. Also cutting off of the main channel are two smaller waterways that are long winding paths that lead to even more smaller channels. You can spend at least a couple of hours exploring each one.

Accommodations:

Parking lot and boat ramp. Also a small, public fishing pier.

Directions:

Heading West on I-64 get off on the Magruder Blvd exit (262B). Follow Magruder about 3-5 miles and turn right onto Big Bethel Rd. (Rt. 600). Continue on Big Bethel until you pass a fire station on your left. A short distance past the fire station Rt. 600 turns off to the right. Follow Rt. 600 to it's end and you are there.