We decided to do a little kayaking at the last minute, and James River Runners was able to fit us in for a 3-mile paddle. We showed up for our 12pm float, signed our waivers and loaded up into their van. They load and unload the kayaks and paddles while you pick out your life vest. The owner ( i believe) drove us to the starting point and explained the features of the river to us. He told us that at the halfway point there is a beach area that many lunch at and that there were rapids at the end of the ride. He told us it's a fun little rapid that was nothing major but if we wanted to avoid it, just veer to the left. I went through it of course, but when I turned around, my buddy was laid over on his side. Apparently, he missed the narrow passageway because of a preteen in a tube was in the way. I laughed so hard I almost peed myself. Anyway, you can canoe, tube or kayak with distances of 9 or 3 miles. The 3-mile float took us about 90 minutes if I had to guess. Honestly wasn't paying attention. We really didn't paddle, just steered from time-to-time and let the current do its thing. My only complaint is their snack selection was limited. We drove up from Appomattox Court House and there wasn't a lot of places to stop along the way. Not their fault but having some beef jerky would have been swell. read more

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We pre booked a group of nine prior to arrival after calling directly to have a few questions answered. I'm unsure who we spoke with over the phone but they were pleasant. First hiccup was check-in when the parking attendant couldn't find our reservations because she confused the first and last name of our reservation. We were frustrated trying to locate our reservation confirmation with spotty cell service and calling a similarly named company to confirm we were at the right location. She was apologetic after the mistake but didn't provide much direction after our waivers were signed. We walked to the building to confirm our reservation again and had to request life jackets for the children in our group. Life jackets are provided free of cost. We waited for other groups to gather for a brief instruction which included information on an island that can be stopped at, some points of reference for the tube float and instructions for exiting/ time to return by. The gentleman instructing was kind and personable. Transportation is provided upriver. The bus left after confirming everyone had a tube with no further instruction and no staff stationed at the entry point. We had no instruction that there was a basket with rope at the side to rope tubes together. This was pointed out to us by others tubers that were present. We spent the extra $10 for a 'cooler tube' which was a regular tube with two pieces of rope tied on to form an X in the center. We had to add ropes to our cooler tube to ensure our backpack cooler stayed in the tube. The entry point was nothing more than a step sandy path directly into the river. Shoes are required and a necessity as the depth varied and there were a lot of large rocks/ fallen trees that were difficult to see underwater. Once settled we joined many others on the river as it was a hot July day. The float was enjoyable for the most part although one of the ropes that I used to attach my son's tube to mine broke (not came untied) in the river which was frustrating. We opted not to stop at any islands and there was no signage for our float other than where to exit. The exit itself had some small rapids and I felt that the current picked up close to exiting. There were staff at the exit but they offered to cut ropes and take tubes to shore not to offer any assistance to those exiting. Again the depth fluctuated and there were large submerged rocks at the exit which were difficult to see/ navigate underwater. While this was my first time tubing, I have canoed and kayaked (in another state) before and was not as pleased with this experience as I have been with prior river rental experiences. read more

Such a fun adventure. Definitely recommend. You drive through a little town and think you are there but you still have a little way to go. We drive down these windy skinny backroads and finally get to your destination. The staff helps you park and tells you to go to the office for your appointment. In the parking lot there are port a potties as well as changing rooms. Get yourself situated and head to the office for orientation. Make sure you apply a good amount of sun block. After the safety talk you get on a bus and head to the river. The bus was nice and bumpy and just the start of the adventure. When the bus parks you get your tubes and get into the river. There was a State Trooper sitting at the beginning so make sure you are following all the rules. You need to climb down a steep river bank and then get into the river. Make sure you are wearing water shoes. Plan on the adventure being a few hours long. The river wasn't too high so the water didn't move too fast. If we didn't stop it would have been about 2 hours long. Bring a lunch and hang out at the beach midway to extend your day. Get yourself a cooler tube. Bring a good size cooler. Look at the pictures. The one I brought was a little small. When we were looking for beers it was a little difficult because I had to more the food to get to them. It is tough to do when you are sitting in a tube. read more

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We have booked a large group float every year for the last few years, and usually the staff is helpful and friendly. Yesterday they were anything but. All 12 folks in our party booked a noon float separately, knowing we might not get bused to the river together. We were fine with this, since one group can simply wait for the remainder to arrive. We don't book a single reservation, because a couple of years back, ours was cancelled twice, and it took a month to get a refund, since they were using a third party booking service, and may still be. The staff proceeded to lecture us about booking separate reservations, and then had little to say when I told them why we don't book a single reservation. I told my wife ahead of time that they weren't going to get us on the first bus, and push us back just to spite, and low and behold I was right. Not a big deal if it just shook out that way, but it seemed a bit non-coincidental and frankly a little childish. I understand their staff can get frustrated with large groups who expect to get bused together, and then complain when it doesn't work out that way; however, none of us complained, not did we have any intention to. When you collectively pay around $500 for a float, you're not paying for a lecture, just because your staff is upset at another group. This will be our last year booking there. read more

Did a 2 hour river tube ride, which only took 90 minutes for me since I was by myself, didn't stop and didn't have any coolers weighing me down. Staff was nice, making sure I was ready to go, and it was good of them to hold care keys so those weren't going to get lost. The river is pretty easy paced, there are only two places where it really starts to pick up, though one of them is right at the end. And for $25, it's a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours. read more

I organized a large group tubing trip and we had a blast! They tell you to arrive 20 minutes early because they give a briefing beforehand and then you wait for the shuttle to arrive. FYI- They won't check your group in until everyone has arrived and turned in their signed waivers (understandable). Plan ahead of time because there's pretty minimal cell service there! They take you in a shuttle and drop you off upstream, and you finish right at the parking site so you don't even have to get in another shuttle. The water was pretty calm, and they were able to give us a pretty good estimate of how long the trip would take (2 hours) when we called the day before. There's a small beach area somewhere in the middle of the trip where you can take photos and reapply sunscreen. Overall, we had a great time. Our only critique is that the cooler tubes are quite rudimentary (some twine tied across a regular tube in an X) and one of the small coolers would've fallen through if we hadn't brought a second, larger cooler. One more thing- do NOT forget to bring water shoes or sandals with a heel strap! Someone in our group lost their birks. Luckily, they float and we found them later down the river. read more

James River Runners - Tubing - Tubing Near Me - Scottsville, Virginia

Haven't used river runner services in a few years, but i spoke with Paige about scheduling a trip out. She was delightful and very professional to speak with. Hoping the trip will be as good as the customer service. read more

This place is AWESOME! Best staff and service around. They have a great section of river and keep you well informed on conditions and what to expect on your trip. Friendly and easy to work with. Will definitely be back! Only bad reviews I've read seem to be from people who don't want to follow the policies. Ignore that. This place rocks! read more

Went today with the family. It was great! Everyone who worked there was very nice and helpful. Could not have asked for a better day. Also sincerely appreciated them having more buses running to give people some space. It was super affordable as well - 25 per person and then 8 for the cooler tube. It was a great time and we will certainly do it again! read more

Overall the trip was fun. Only three stars for the reservations and payment system. It is not friendly to the person booking the event if you are hosting a large group. Reservations is very easy to add but impossible to remove anyone, we had an unfortunate last person not come for unseen circumstances. When getting in I was told no problem, once the payment was made I was charged. The answer I got on the phone afterwards was we don't make last minute changes. I recommend making a small reservation and just add all coming the day before to avoid this. Payments is also very not friendly on a large group. We wanted to split into a couple credit cards but were told only one. Once it was done it was very hard to tell who owed who money, the receipts don't show tax split and gets messing when trying to collect money. I recommend everyone bring cash and all pay separately at the site to avoid this. Overall it was fun, the river is a blast. read more

Brought the kids and they had a great time. They had life vests if needed, workers were friendly and knowledgeable. From start to do finish, took about 3 hrs. We stopped and had lunch on an island though. Would definitely do this again in the future read more

The staff is very helpful and they have a beautiful spot on the James. We took the 2 hour tube trip on JULY 2, and it was very well attended. James River Runners' entry point into the river at this location is very treacherous. It's steep and slippery. We had a hard time getting down the muddy hill and saw numerous people fall. The young guys there were helpful but there is nothing to hold onto no steps, no ramp. Just be careful! read more

Today was the perfect day tubing on the river with my husband. Water was low - 2.8 feet so we had to watch our bottoms, but calm, gentle breeze, and great sun. Definitely recommend James River Runners tubing for a relaxing outing. read more

Love tubing with JRR! We try to go 4-5 times a year, always a blast! Definitely bring a waterproof phone case (they sell them too) so you can listen to music and take pictures. Employees are super-friendly. Highly recommend! read more

Extremely poor customer service and inconsistent information. The female owner is very rude and has a bad attitude. She is not friendly or easy to work with. Maybe dealing with someone else would have been a better experience? I would save yourself the trouble and simply choose a different company to work with to avoid the risk of a poor outcome. James River Reeling and Rafting will be my pick from now on. read more

Overpriced. Tubes are mid. Customer service is poor. Especially the big guy's a total jerk.

My fiancée and I do a yearly tubing trip on the James River with his college friends and we always use the James River Runners for our tubing needs. It's always a wonderful time! The tube rentals are fairly cheap-20 dollars a person and you can stay on the river all day if you so desire (and we often do!). That twenty dollar fee also includes transportation to the put in site. The staff has always been friendly and accommodating even though we often come with a large, overwhelming group. They have places where you can check in your bags and keys so you don't have to risk losing them on the river. The scenery here is absolutely gorgeous and I always look forward to the trip even though there are plenty of places much closer to me to go tubing. The James River is so clear that you can usually see through it and the rolling Virginia countryside adds to the beauty. This place is somewhat remote and not super easy to get to but even the drive is pretty. There are also a lot if sandbars and large rocks along the river where you can stop and enjoy a few 'sodas' ::ahem:: during your journey. Highly recommended for a summer outing! read more

We were fifteen minutes late to the canoe return. Manager did not nothing but complain to us about paying staff overtime. Not my fault the river was very low, and you are poor at delegating your employees. Wanted to fine us $40 on a $55 rental. Absolutely absurd. I doubt I go back, plenty of other options. Fifteen minutes. Really? read more

Staff is rude and not flexible with adjusting accommodations for number of campers and number of sites reserved. Not upfront about pricing. Would not return. read more

Son and I camped one night and did a 9 mile canoe down the river back to the outfitter. No complaints about the service or the river itself, but prices are outrageous. It seems that JRR have a monopoly on the best put in and take out spots and they have taken full advantage of it. Camping is $14 a person, and this gets you a spot in a grassy field with train tracks about 100 yards away running loud trains all night long, and noisy beer drinking college kids playing loud music throughout the night (despite quiet hours posted at 10 PM-- no one is there to enforce it). Only facilities is access to a port-a-potty. For the 10 person group we were with, this is $140 a night!! for a noisy unconfortable cramped campground. To rent a canoe it is $72 a canoe for 2 people. If you bring your own boat and have them transport it, it is basically the same price. The river is pretty, the staff are fine, but with a little bit of work you can find a way to put in/take out and have better camping elsewhere at a fraction of the price. read more