City: Chester, VA
County: Chesterfield County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 37.38189840, -77.37675667
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on James River
12 runs (2 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
III-IV
Upstream from here (10.6 mi from take-out)
5. Lower James through Richmond
2.5 mi
I-II
Upstream from here (11.7 mi from take-out)
4. Upper James into Richmond
4.5 mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I-II
116 mi away
3. Snowdon (Route 501/130) to Six Mile
30.2 mi
II+(III)
140 mi away
2. Glasgow to Snowdon
4.8 mi
11 ft/mi
I-II
145 mi away
1.8. Alpine to Glasgow
10.0 mi
I(II)
154 mi away
1.6. Arcadia to Alpine
4.8 mi
I-II
156 mi away
1.4. Buchanan to Arcadia
6.2 mi
7 ft/mi
I
159 mi away
1.2. Springwood to Buchanan
4.8 mi
I-II
164 mi away
1. Eagle Rock (Route 43) to Springwood (Route 630)
17.0 mi
4 ft/mi
I-II
168 mi away
01. Iron Gate to Glen Wilton
4.1 mi
I-II
169 mi away
02. Glen Wilton to Gala
7.3 mi
I
169 mi away
03. Gala to Eagle Rock
3.9 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Dutch Gap provides convenient boat access to the James River in Chester, Virginia. The boat ramp is well-maintained and suitable for launching kayaks, canoes, and small motorized boats.
The James River is a major waterway, over 1,100 miles long, that drains a large watershed of over 10,000 square miles. With an average flow of 12,780 cubic feet per second and a moderate gradient of 2 feet per mile, the river offers diverse paddling and boating opportunities. After launching at Dutch Gap, boaters can explore the main stem of the James River or access smaller side channels and lagoons.
Additional public access points along the James River include Ancarrow's Landing/Manchester Docks, which has a concrete boat ramp suitable for larger motorized craft. Nearby recreation areas like Petersburg National Battlefield and Presquile National Wildlife Refuge provide opportunities for further exploration by land. Paddlers and boaters should check conditions and plan accordingly for this sizeable, navigable river system.
The James River is a major waterway, over 1,100 miles long, that drains a large watershed of over 10,000 square miles. With an average flow of 12,780 cubic feet per second and a moderate gradient of 2 feet per mile, the river offers diverse paddling and boating opportunities. After launching at Dutch Gap, boaters can explore the main stem of the James River or access smaller side channels and lagoons.
Additional public access points along the James River include Ancarrow's Landing/Manchester Docks, which has a concrete boat ramp suitable for larger motorized craft. Nearby recreation areas like Petersburg National Battlefield and Presquile National Wildlife Refuge provide opportunities for further exploration by land. Paddlers and boaters should check conditions and plan accordingly for this sizeable, navigable river system.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Petersburg National Battlefield
Located within
Presquile National Wildlife Refuge
Located within
Maggie L Walker National Historic Site
Located within
Richmond National Battlefield Park
Located within