James River State Park - Memorial Day Weekend camping and river tripping

UPDATE 4/13/2025
Sent info to all the recent signer uppers about how to pay.
Let me know if you did not get an email from meetup.
It is time to start thinking about planning group meals. See chat below...

!! On March 15th I will be moving those that are not paid off the going list and will make room for those on the waitlist.
As of today - cleared the decks and everyone moved from waitlist to "going" - but you still need to pay to go ;).

I am sending emails from meetup as reminders. It seems folks might not have settings ok or meetup does not work as it used to.... !!

May 23rd - 26th three nights @ the Canoe Landing Campground Group Site
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and beautiful views, as well as 3 miles of shoreline along the James River. Visitors can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, fish or tent camp. James River received the International Dark Sky Park designation in 2019 and is ideal for stargazing.

Group site @ Canoe Landing No tent pads. NO anchoring ability for hammocks.

BIG REMINDER
I checked out the site today. This is a PRIMITIVE site. check out the pics posted.
Have to walk a bit to the drop in toilets (2) and water, and up the hill to the HorseShoe campground for showers. I sent an email for folks on the attendee list for how to pay up. There is a rather large area for parking that can also be used to accommodate more folks once I get a final tent count. Also there is much more hiking available in the park than on the website.
....
These are primitive restrooms and drinking water is unavailable in the primitive campgrounds, but potable water is available at four of the five picnic shelters. Please note that primitive sites do not have electricity.

Options:
8 mile loop hike in the park ( 22 miles of trails)
Kayaking and tubing in the park
10 mile hike from the James River Footbridge ( 1 hr away Big Rocky Row)
7 mile Otter Creek Hike ( 1 hr away James River Visitors Center)
Bike riding or hiking on the Blue Ridge Railway Trail (see below info)

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/james-river-livery
currently the livery is not available
- I do not know if they will open for the season.

several wineries on 29
stargazing
group dinners

$15 per tent

7 miles
This trail is open for hiking, biking and horseback riding year round. The main trailhead is in Piney River on SR 151, Patrick Henry Hwy. It has ample parking for cars and horse trailers. A smaller trail head (at milepost 1.7) in Roses Mill on SR 674, Roses Mill Rd can accommodate only cars. Restroom facilities are available at both trail heads. The mainly crushed stone trail follows a scenic route along the Piney and Tye Rivers, where wildflowers bloom from spring through summer and wildlife abounds. The trail dead ends at the 7 mile point, there is no eastern access at Tye River Depot, so you must retrace your steps to your vehicle.

TRACKER (in order of attendees)
Name PAID Number Tents
DM YES 1
SM YES 1
MM YES 1
KA Yes 1
AS Yes 1
WB YES 1 (the 'A')
RS YES 1
WB YES 1
SM YES 1
KA2 YES 1
LB YES 1