James River

Batteau Festival

The 40th Annual James River Batteau Festival is now in the books!!! By all accounts the festival was a great success, thanks to everyone who worked to make it possible, and to all who participated.

Several days of rain early in the week, and then higher than desired water levels thereafter could not dampen the enthusiasm of participants in Batteaux, Canoes, and Kayaks.

Congratulations to ALL!!

As we look forward to 2026, we need more river and history enthusiasts to build a Batteau and join in the adventure. Get started by reviewing the “Building a Batteau” section of this website. Complete the “Contact Us” information and we’ll start communication on what comes next in Batteau construction.

The James River Batteau Festival is an eight-day event featuring authentic replicas of the sleek, shallow-draft merchant boats upon which the Old Dominion rode to its first era of economic prosperity. Beginning on the waterfront of Lynchburg the festival moves along a 200-year-old route, stopping each day in the historic towns and communities along the way. Each evening is a celebration of the cultural heritage of this legendary river basin in music, song, dance and storytelling, plus lots of plain old-time Virginia socializing.

Your Guide to the

40 th Annual JRBF

Valuable Participant Information on Site Locations, Maps, Meals, and other Relevant Info

Pay Camping & Boat Fees

JRBF Fees

Join us on the River!

Have you ever thought about taking a canoe or kayak down a river and then been confronted with questions and obstacles? The James River Batteau Festival can provide answers-and a truly unique experience for anyone who enjoys the river.

Participating in the James River Batteau Festival will provide answers to the above questions and many more. We are anxious to find individuals who get the "Batteau Bug" and want to build a bateau. But many festival participants do so in kayaks and canoes and they are welcomed as part of the group.

Evervone must make their own decision on what level of river rapids is safe. There are some rapids in the stretches of the James the festival covers. And yes, we do see some canoes capsize, but by and large, given normal water levels, someone with moderate abilities will do fine with the festival.
There are hundreds of canoes and kayaks with the festival during the first weekend and then the number tapers down to a few dozen by week's end. It's a big river and if you want solitude that certainly is possible, but if you prefer to stay within sight of others that, too, is possible.
The Festival strives to have the length of days be such that it's a worthwhile day but not a burden to make it to camp. Of course water levels dictate a lot in terms of ease of making the distances covered of 13-21 miles each day.
We have permission from landowners to camp at all Batteau Festival stops and ask a modest fee to cover expenses.
Dinner meals are available for purchase at all stops, water and ice are provided or are available close by at all stops, and of course, portable toilets are provided at all sites.
The absolute best way to learn about the river and know your location while on the river is to purchase a James River Batteau Festival Trail Atlas. The atlas has been created by the VCNS to help individuals on the river and is available on the Virginia Canal and Navigations Society online store here!