Flights & Floats – From Hot Air Balloons to River Floats

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Kayaking South River

Imagine soaring high above the trees in a hot air balloon or trailing your fingers in the water as your inner tube drifts down a lazy river. Whether your summer dreams include working up an adrenaline-fueled sweat or a relaxing afternoon designed to let your cares drift away, you’ll find your perfect summer flight or float along the Beerwerks Trail. Here’s our guide to hot air balloon flights, ziplines, guided paddling trips, and everything in between. Don’t forget to stop at a  Beerwerks brewery at the end of the day. Share photos and stories over an icy craft beer. Better yet, celebrate summer and your recent flight or float with a tasting flight of different brews.

Flights

Don’t leave the best views to the birds. Here’s how to see the Valley from the sky!

Hot Air Balloon Adventures

Book a scenic flight over the Valley in a hot air balloon with Bridgewater’s Star Ballooning. This family-owned business offers safe, customized tours for up to six people, with extras like champagne toasts and in-flight photos. Have a special question you’re hoping to pop? We hear that the chances of getting a yes rise in direct proportion to altitude, so schedule a sunrise proposal flight today!

Balloons Over Rockbridge

Every year over the 4th of July holiday, Balloons Over Rockbridge gives fans the chance to see, photograph, and ride in hot air balloons. The event also has live music, refreshments, activities for kids, and chances to meet the pilots. Start making plans to attend this popular festival in 2027. You can reserve your ride ahead of time or grab a  first-come, first-served spot on a shorter, tethered flight. And if you want to learn even more about ballooning, sign up for a volunteer slot!

Learn to Fly 

If learning to fly a plane is on your bucket list, consider signing up for the “holistic and fundamentals-first approach to aviation instruction” you’ll receive in the Flight School at Eagle’s Nest. Instructors work with individual students to customize their learning paths and help them gain a variety of endorsements. And if you’re not sure you want to commit to a series of lessons at this point, you can test the water by taking a 30-60-minute discovery flight.

Gliders

Shenandoah Valley Soaring is a glider club based out of the Rockfish Gliderport in Nellysford. Planes tow the motorless gliders into the air, where they can stay aloft from 20 minutes to hours, depending on air conditions. If you’re interested in soaring, you can sign up for an introductory membership, which includes a demonstration flight with the option to follow up with lessons with certified flight instructors.

Massanutten’s Ziplines & More

Thrill seekers riding Massanutten Resort’s Mega Zip zipline can hit speeds of 30 miles per hour while they rocket for 800’ down the mountain. And make sure you try Virginia’s first alpine coaster, the new 3,380-foot Mountain Mayhem coaster, which allows riders to control the speed as they roll down the slopes. If you want a slower pace, take one of two ski lifts for a spin and amazing views of the mountains and Shenandoah Valley. Visitors who prefer waves to wind will love Massanutten Waterpark’s indoor and outdoor attractions, including slides like the twisting double-tube Peak Plunge, a wave pool, a lazy river and more! 

Floats

The area’s rivers and lakes provide lots of calm water and rapids to explore! Check out these river floats and guided adventures along the Beerwerks Trail!

Waynesboro Water Trail

The 4-mile stretch of the South River making up the Waynesboro Water Trail connects several city parks, including Ridgeview, North, and Basic. Each park provides launch facilities and water access for canoes, kayaks, and tubes. The smooth water is perfect for beginners, and because of the trail’s urban setting, visitors can beach their boats and easily enjoy park and downtown amenities. Paddlers can also plan longer floats to downstream destinations like Crimora Park (7.5 miles), Grand Caverns Park (17.5 miles), Grottoes Town Park (19.5 miles), Port Republic/S. Fork Shenandoah River (19.5 miles). 

Upper James River Water Trail

The Upper James River Water Trail stretches for 74 scenic miles along parts of the James and Maury Rivers as they flow through Rockbridge and Boutetourte Counties. Look for smooth, family-friendly stretches and areas of whitewater for those seeking to practice technical skills. The trail includes public access points, riverside camping, stocked fishing waters, and extensive opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, and rafting adventures. Beerwerks Trail visitors will want to start with the Glen Maury Park to Glasgow section (15 miles with class I and II rapids) and the Alpine to Glasgow (10 miles with class I and II rapids). 

Goshen Pass

When the Maury River cut 6-mile Goshen Pass through Little North Mountain, it made both a beautiful gorge and the site of one of the most popular whitewater adventures in Virginia. Depending on water level, paddlers can expect some serious class II, class III, and even class IV rapids at Devil’s Kitchen and Corner Rapid. Need to slow your racing heart? Tie up your kayak and lounge on the rocks to view the dramatic scenery.

Middle River from Westview to Verona 

The Middle River runs north through the Shenandoah Valley and merges with the South River to become the South fork of the Shenandoah River. Stretch your arms on a relatively gentle section of the Middle River in Augusta County running from Westview to Verona. The rapids along this 25-mile float top out at class II. Enjoy the lovely country scenery and the easily accessed put in and put out spots.

Outdoor Adventure Experiences Inc.

Outdoor Adventure Experiences Inc. will get you on the water with a range of guided trips, including rafting, paddleboarding, tubing, water caving, and river play trips where participants can play and bounce on a giant communal tube. This company also offers full and half-day kayaking trips from April to November.

Massanutten Adventures

Massanutten Adventures leads guided canoe, kayak, and tube excursions along the Shenandoah River as it runs parallel to Shenandoah National Park. The canoe/kayak season runs from April to October and the tubing season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. What better way to see the Shenandoah Valley than from the perspective of its namesake river?

Scuba Diving

If you’re itching to breathe (and see the Valley from) underwater, or if you are already an experienced scuba diver looking for additional certifications, equipment, or information about diving spots in the area, Scuba Buddies (Harrisonburg) can set you up. Courses range from the basics, to advanced and professional-level instruction. You can even study underwater photography and underwater navigation!

Whether you’re in the mood to fly, glide, slide, or ride the rapids, we have the perfect place to live your best life this summer. Remember to toast your adventure with a cold craft beer at a nearby Beerwerks Trail brewery.