Please remember these important points:
- Much of the land adjacent to the waterways is private property.
- City and state ordinances are enforced at each site. Please abide by any trespassing signs and posted rules and regulations.
- The Virginia Beach Waterway System traverses a unique and varied environment. Please pack out your trash.
- Snakes may be observed and insect populations may be large. Poison ivy, poison oak and sumac are common along some banks.
- The City of Virginia Beach assumes no liability for injury or property damage due to your use of any part of the Waterway System
While we make every effort to keep this information up to date, please call the site prior to making your trip to make sure information is still current.
Please refer to the following key for the sites below:
C: canoe access
K: kayak access
M: motorized boat access
Back Bay Access
Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (C/K)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
4005 Sandpiper Rd.; Phone: (757) 721-2412
Site info: Refuge entry fee. Annual passes are available. Restroom facilities. Open year round from dawn to dusk.
Back Bay Landing (M/C/K)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Mill Landing Rd.; Phone: (804) 367-9587
Site info: Open year round, 24 hours a day.
False Cape State Park: Barbour Hill, False Cape Landing & Wash Woods (M/C/K)
Virginia's Department of Conservation & Recreation
Phone: (757) 426-7128
Site info: Primarily docking facilities for access to park. Open from dawn to dusk. Restroom facilities.
Little Island Park (C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
3820 Sandpiper Rd.; Phone: (757) 426-0013
Site info: Parking fee beginning the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Restroom facilities. Open year round from dawn to dusk. From the parking area you will need to transport your canoe/kayak approximately 50 yds. to access either the Atlantic Ocean or Back Bay.
Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area (M/C/K)
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
Back Bay Landing Rd; Phone: (804) 367-9587
Site info: Open year round, 24 hours a day. Please abide by posted management area rules and regulations.
Broad Bay Access
64th Street-First Landing State Park (M/C/K)
Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation
Phone: (757) 412-2300
Site info: Park entry fee and launch fee; use of the ramp is free for non-motorized craft. Restroom facilities. Open year round from dawn to dusk.
Elizabeth River Access
Elizabeth River at Carolanne Farm Park (C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
375 Challedon Dr; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Parking available along the street. You will need to transport your canoe/kayak to the launch facility approximately 300 yds. Open year round from dawn to dusk.
Lake Smith Access
Lake Smith Fishing Station (M/C/K)
As of July 1, 2006, the land is owned and maintained by Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation. The City of Norfolk owns the lake; all boating permits and codes are still in place.
Shell Rd; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Motorized boats up to 12 hp permitted. Restroom facilities. Open year round dawn to dusk.
Lynnhaven River Access
Lynnhaven Boat and Beach Facility (M/C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
3576 Piedmont Circle; Phone: (757) 460-7590
Site info: There is a fee for parking and launching (no fee to launch non-motorized craft). Restroom facilities. The ramp is open year round from dawn to dusk.
Hutton Circle Launch (C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Hutton Circle; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Open year round from dawn to dusk.
North Bay Access
Lotus Garden Park
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
Sandbridge Road; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Open year round from dawn to dusk.
North Landing River & Tributaries
The North Landing River is a part of the Intracoastal Waterway System and covers 22 miles from the North Carolina line to the locks at Great Bridge in Chesapeake, Virginia. The river south of North Landing Road is from 300 feet to a mile wide. The water depth of the headwaters and tributaries is 2-5 feet and it is as deep as 12 feet in the Intracoastal Waterway channel. Canoes and kayaks most safely travel this widest section of the river by hugging the shoreline.
Munden Point Park (M/C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
2001 Pefley Rd; Phone: (757) 426-5296
Site info: Restroom facilities. Open year round from dawn to dusk. Canoe rentals are available from April through October.
Blackwater Trading Post (M/C/K)
5605 Blackwater Rd; Phone: (757) 421-2803
Site info: There is a fee for parking & launching. Restroom facilities. Open 7 am to 9 pm; Sunday 7 am to 8 pm.
Rudee Inlet Access
Owl Creek Boat Ramp (M/C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
717 General Booth Blvd; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Open year round, 24 hours a day.
Stumpy Lake Access
Stumpy Lake Launch (C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation
4797 Indian River Rd; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Open year round dawn to dusk.
West Neck Creek Access
Launch at Dozier's Bridge (C/K)
Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation
Princess Anne Rd; Phone: (757) 385-1100
Site info: Open year round dawn to dusk.
West Neck Marina (M/C/K)
3985 West Neck Road. Phone: (757) 426-6735
Site info: There is a fee for parking and launching. Restroom facilities. Open 6 am to 6 pm.