Huguenot Flatwater

Richmond Times-Dispatch Archives
Published: September 2, 2008

MAP: James River

Slideshow
See the highlights of Huguenot Flatwater in western Richmond

Huguenot Flatwater is the most western outpost of the James River Park System and is a key launching spot for a variety of paddle trips.

The park is located in west Richmond on scenic Riverside Drive under the Huguenot Bridge in the calm waters along the southside of the James River. The park tends to be noisy during the peak of rush hour traffic on the bridge, but is otherwise peaceful and serene among the many expensive homes on each side of the river.

The park’s main function is its canoe launch, but the low-lying park has more to offer, including a popular spot where a rope swing hangs from the high hardwood trees along the shoreline over the river.

What can you do?
• Canoeing, kayaking, tubing: Put in at Huguenot Flatwater for a leisurely trip. Go upriver to Bosher Dam or down toward Pony Pasture Rapids and beyond, but beware of the Z-dam downriver at Williams Island. [See more about Paddling the Upper James]
• Fishing: The calm water makes it easy to relax and wait for the big one to come.  When the river is low, fisherman can walk out to many of the large boulders that become exposed.
• Walking, running: Try the well-shaded trails in the park or head out on Riverside Drive in either direction. Pony Pasture Rapids is just downriver from the park and the walk provides, one of the most beautiful vistas in Richmond.
• Swimming, wading: There are good places at the calm waters of Huguenot Flatwater, but not many rocks when the water level is up.
• Biking: There are two short dirt trails through Huguenot Flatwater. Stay on paths to minimize erosion.

The park has it’s main parking area at its western end, and there is a second parking lot along Riverside Drive.  Both tend to fill quickly on the weekends.

James River Park system:
www.richmondgov.com/departments/parks/james.aspx