Wilderness Canoe Company

Courtney Jennings

2024-04

So glad we found this company! We arrived a little after 10 for our 1030 trip. Kayaks were already loaded on the shuttle. After a brief run-down on the section of river and the return point, we were taken to the drop off spot. It was easy to launch the kayaks, the water was a little high so the rapids were perfect!! We did the short run and it took us about 2 hours, with a few brief stops along the way. Next time we'll definitely do the long run.Highly recommend this company. They were easy to work with, friendly, and even gave us some info about other activities in the area. Thanks!!!

Rad Tollett

2023-10

Great gear and polite staff. Couldn’t have asked for more.

Kim Ramsey

2023-05

We had a great day of kayaking as a family. You arrive at WCC and they give you the rundown on where to get out of the water/what to look for and then they load you up and drive you to a drop off spot. When we went we were the only people in the van, so our COVID concerns were minimal for those looking for safe activities. (WCC did not mask up, but windows were open and they didn't react to our masks at all.) Once you are dropped off at the river you're pretty much on your own for the rest of the time. When you reach the end point you have to haul your own boat up a hill, which other sites I've been to usually do for you. After about 5 hours on the water we were tired! But, equipment was solid, service was prompt, it was easy to book online, and the owners were super friendly. Would recommend to someone looking for some fun on the water!

Alexander Quintana

2022-05

We drove two hours to make it here for our tubing reservation from our campground in Shenandoah, and we were unexpectedly held up due to road paving. We called an hour in advance to let them know we would arrive 5 minutes late, and were put off by the rude man who answered the phone. This foreshadowed what was to come.As we were pulling in, the van had just started leaving the office and the driver did not stop when he saw us. We then waited fifteen minutes at their office only for the van driver to tell us he wouldn't take us. So much for good service.Response: We ended up being 15 minutes late from departure time, not 45 minutes as this business claims. Bottom line, they pulled out as we were arriving, literally looking at us with our reserved tubes in the back of their van while doing so. I find this very rude.

Lady of the Glen

2023-05

I received an email the night before our 930 AM trip that they suggest I reschedule because the weather looked bad the next day. The forecast said chance of rain after 3pm but our trip was in the morning.I called and left a message and emailed that I didnt want to cancel and I would be at the office at 930 the next morning for my trip unless I heard otherwise. I also sent an email and called several times the next morning with no answer.We drove 30 minutes to go to our trip and no one was at the office when we arrived. There was a note to fill out waivers while we wait. Waited until 10 and no one came. Tried calling again and a man answered. It seemed to be a personal cell phone. He said my trip was rebooked to Sunday due to rain. I received no phone call about this. The only way have would have know is if i clicked on the original link in my email that confirmed my registration and then clocked on a link to see deatils.I received no explanation or apology. This man was very rude and completely inconsiderate of my time.I called Twin River Outfitters and booked a trip for the next day. They were super helpful and responsive.Also, it didnt start raining until 5 and even then it was a light drizzle in 80 degrees. We missed out on a lovey day!

Brenda A. Morris

2022-05

We had a beautiful camp site right on the water! We loved hearing the river all night + our pup enjoyed being able to wade in whenever she wanted. We canoed 9 miles yesterday + thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. Everything and everyone was 100% perfect. We will definitely be back!

Charlie Knight

2023-05

This is a very well run outfit and the owners and staff are super friendly and welcoming.

Artemus Kipp

2019-05

Awesome experience. Staff is amazing. Girlfriend and I showed up unannounced needing help with a trip down the river. We had 2 kayaks and only 1 truck. Drive up to one of their launches, via the scenic route, got on the river, and our truck was waiting for us at the end. Wonderful experience 10/10!

Customer Service

2023-05

Super fun experience! Took my 3 kids (9,10,13) tubing. The owner was helpful and have great instructions. Would definitely recommend!

Alayna Vucco

2016-05

Absolutely loved it ! Very exciting and it's affordable for what you get. They were a really awesome staff. We bought a pocket knife and they mailed it to us overnight for no charge. Such nice people. We would go back again & again !

Corey Schmidt

2021-05

Great campsite on the river. Plenty of space so you actually feel like your camping and not packed in on top of strangers. Couldnt have been happier with the peacefulness of the space. Would've liked to use the rental and shuttle service but Covid isnt allowing that this year. Looking forward to taking advantage of all the services in the future.

McKenna Coalson

2019-05

Had a reservation for this morning, had texted the owner the day before to confirm. Drove over an hour just to be told that the owner canceled our reservation. rented through this company four times last summer and the owner said that we ruined one of his brand new kayaks last year by putting a hole in the bottom. He was very rude and unprofessional. offered to show us the kayak that had the hole, only to say no he wasn’t going to drag it out and show us after we asked to see it. we were given a rental kayak last year that was taking on water for the entire float and we got the blame for it and our plans got canceled because of it. don’t waste your time or your money. the staff is unprofessional and rude

Marina Nelson

2020-05

Staff extemely nice. The owner nicely gave us his own personal cooler of water to use bc we forgot to bring ours.It's a 3 1/2 hour kayak trip down a straight river if you dont stop over at all. Lots of little places to pull over at during the trip if you have extra time to relax on the way. Overall amazing.

Patrick Hawkins

2021-05

Great campsites, great boats for rent, great staff, and great location.Have camped, rented from, and been shuttled at/from/with WCC and would recommend the experience to anyone. Beautiful seclusion in one of the most awesome parts of the James River.Check ‘em out!!!

Jocelyn Hildebrand

2019-05

Short version: overpriced, rental/drop off only, not for you if you don’t know safety (like foot entrapment & toes up), nice folks/equipmentLong version: If you expect to receive a guided tour, you will be disappointed. This is purely a rental and drop off service with a brief explanation of where to get out of the river. Coming from trips on the Sacramento River with companies that provide paddling instruction and safety tutorials, place guides along the shore during tricky rapids to indicate the way, and have even more reps in boats to help folks recover from spills and to catch runaway paddles, I expected similar from Wilderness Canoe Company. Now, what they did, they did well. They were polite, the crafts were in great shape, the entry and exit points were easy to use and they provided a portapotty and changing tent. But given that they only had to give us our gear and drop us off up river (nobody greets you at the end, so they don’t have to pay folks to stick around), I felt it was overpriced. If you aren’t experienced in how to pull a kid back into your canoe by the shoulder of their life jacket, don’t understand foot entrapment or aren’t confident that you and your possy can survive going down a rapid with your toes up and your limbs in working condition, then I would highly recommend not using this service. We had to save a family of four from a big dump on the first class 1 rapid, and they had used canoes in the past, but they still lost their insulin down river. Remember, safety first! (And tie everything to your boat! Carabiners are your friends.)

T-Rav G.

2020-05

Awesome place to camp on the river and pretty sure they offer shuttle services. Ended a 40 miler here this past summer and had a great time. Fire pits in the sites and you can canoe right up to your site.

April Vasser

2015-05

My family and I are novices when it comes to canoeing. Our experience had been limited to small, quiet ponds. We wanted to try something other than hiking on our visit to the mountains, but we were nervous about the rapids. We opted to do a five mile canoe trip, and we had a blast. We actually preferred the areas of the river with rapids. The rapids did all of the work, and we just had to guide the boat. Next time, we plan to do the full 10 mile trip.

Laura Houle

2019-05

Excellent to deal with, and had us set up and ready to go in no time!

Chuck Atkins

2024-03

Great place to unwind and enjoy the river

Karen Bedgar

2018-05

Tried to make reservations for 1 night and told there is a two night minimum. Offered to pay for the two nights,but told no. Have stayed at this camp ground on numerous ocassions. Probably will never go there again!

Patrick Van Luven

2017-05

Beautiful section of the James and terrific staff. We did the 9.5 mile float and our only complaint was that it wasn't longer. Hope to do it again, soon.

Mark Manning

2023-05

This place is awesome and this was one of the nicest trips down the James River. Highly recommend!!

Timothy Wood

2023-05

Fantastic staff. Great water route. Perfect for the family

Wayne Barrows

2018-05

Awesome guys, awesome trip down the river, they drop you off and tell to have fun, with good instructions of course

JASON TOMLIN

2018-05

These people will take you on different trip drop you off and pick you up and they are reasonable on there prices

Yvonne Jack

2018-05

2nd year in a row we've been. Plan on making it a yearly thing. The people are awesome!

David Sabin

2017-05

Quiet camping ground right on the James River with canoe and kayak rentals and shuttle service.

Lisa Presnell

2019-05

Charlie does a great job taking care of his clients and campers

Anon

2020-05

Called and asked about a rental and the guy on the phone was super sarcastic and short. No thanks.

Thomas Bryant

2022-05

Great company to help with your float trip.