Updated on July 9, 2024 by Julie McCool
Northern Virginia boating and paddling spots offer a range of experiences on the beautiful lakes, rivers, and bays of the Washington DC region. Whether you want a casual float, an active paddle, or great fishing, you'll find launch sites and boat rentals in Northern Virginia perfect for outdoor fun.
The 2024 boat rental season offers a great selection of places to paddle and safely enjoy the outdoors. Sites on the Potomac River, Occoquan River, estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay, and several lakes offer Northern Virginia boating. If you have your own watercraft, many parks have public boat launches for a modest fee.
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Follow the links for details on marina hours, prices, and age restrictions at Northern Virginia county, regional, and state parks. Most boat rentals are seasonal and some are restricted to weekend hours.
Northern Virginia Boating with Rentals and Tours
Boating is a favorite summer activity, but many of us don't own a boat. Fortunately, there are lots of nice parks and lakes that offer boat rentals and tours.
Alexandria Waterfront Cruises, Alexandria
There are several ways to tour and travel on the Potomac River from the waterfront in Old Town Alexandria. In March and April, Potomac cruises are a fun way to see the cherry blossoms in DC without the crowds.
On weekends year-round, the Potomac Water Taxi ferries visitors to National Harbor and the DC Wharf. Other cruises let you check out the monuments, enjoy a sunset, or simply relax as you cruise the river.
Cruise or tour the historic Tall Ship Providence, a replica of the first ship authorized to serve in the Continental Navy and John Paul Jones’ first American command. Sail the Providence and learn about the ship's history, visit the Captain's cabin, and enjoy the view.
Belle Haven Marina, Alexandria
At Belle Haven Marina, rent from a fleet of quality craft including Sailfish, canoes, kayaks, and row boats. Head out on the Potomac River or enjoy the peace and quiet of paddling a canoe or kayak through Dyke Marsh. The marina also rents 19′ Flying Scots to experienced sailors. Boat rentals open for the season in April.
Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station
Burke Lake Park offers boat rentals, scenic boat tours, and a public boat launch. Visitors can rent canoes, fishing kayaks, rowboats, and jon boats or launch their own boats. Burke Lake offers some of the best fishing in Northern Virginia and the lake is stocked with largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, and perch.
Plus, the whole family can enjoy a guided tour of the lake on the park's pontoon boat. However, swimming, paddle boarding, and wind-surfing are not allowed. The Burke Lake Marina is open for boat rentals from April to early September.
Fountainhead Regional Park, Clifton
Explore the Occoquan Reservoir at Fountainhead Regional Park in southern Fairfax County. The Fountainhead Park Marina rents 3 or 4-person jon boats (engines available), single or double kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards from March to mid-November. SUP rentals are by the hour while other craft rentals are for one hour or 4 hours.
A public boat launch is available for kayaks, canoes, jon boats, and gasoline-powered boats. Purchase a daily launch pass or an annual pass. The park also hosts regular paddle tours throughout the summer.
After your time on the reservoir, visit the quaint town of Clifton for a meal or a treat. Or tackle the southern end of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail on foot or mountain bike.
Lake Accotink Park, Springfield
Rent a kayak or sparkly pedal boat at the Lake Accotink Marina, or launch your own boat. The boat launch can accommodate small boats powered by electric motors, sailboats under 15 feet, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. The marina is open from late May through early September.
See Lake Accotink from shore when you hike or bike the trail that circles the lake.
Lake Anne, Reston
Enjoy a quiet paddle around Lake Anne on a beautiful summer day. Reston Association offers kayak, pedal boat, and SUP rentals from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend (Friday – Sunday). Book your rental at the Lake Anne boat dock for $20/hour, cash only.
Be sure to visit and paddle under the beautiful Van Gogh Bridge. Lake Anne also has a public boat launch area for Reston residents. And if you prefer to stay on land, enjoy a relaxing walk on the trail around Lake Anne.
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston
Rent a pedal boat or kayak at the Lake Fairfax Marina to tour the 18-acre lake. (The former tour boat no longer operates.) The marine is open on weekends from Memorial Day to Labor Day. There is also a private boat launch but no motor-powered boats, sailboats, or paddleboards are permitted on the lake.
Lake Fairfax Park also has a big network of hiking and biking trails, a large picnic area, one of the most popular waterparks in Northern Virginia, and more. Rent a spot in the pretty campground to allow time for all the park has to offer.
Lake Ridge Park and Marina, Woodbridge
The Lake Ridge Park Marina offers three-season boat rentals, with a Universal Access Boat Launch and dock access. Canoes, pedal boats, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and jon boats are available for rent from April to mid-October.
Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge
Rent canoes, single and tandem kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards from the Leesylvania State Park Breakwater Marina store. Rental boats, including SUPS, are available for an hour or 4 hours.
The park also has a popular boat ramp area with sailboat hoists and parking for cars and trailers. Motorboats are allowed and there is no horsepower limit. A cartop launch on Powell's Creek is great for canoes and kayaks.
Returning in 2024, paddlers at Virginia State Parks can earn prizes and gear in the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest. Follow the link for details.
If time allows, take a pretty Leesylvania State Park Hike and learn about the park's interesting history.
Mason Neck State Park, Mason Neck
Rent a kayak, canoe, or SUP for an hour or 4 hours at Mason Neck State Park. Boaters can explore Belmont Bay and Kane's Creek, home to eagles and other native birds. Cartop boat launch facilities are available but there are no facilities for trailer launching.
Allow time for a hike to explore nature at Mason Neck State Park.
Occoquan Regional Park, Lorton
Occoquan Regional Park kayak and SUP rentals for exploring the Occoquan River. Rent single or double kayaks for an hour or a 4-hour block. Hourly SUP rentals are also available. The park also offers a boat launch, paddle tours, and access to the Occoquan Water Trail.
After your paddle, enjoy outdoor dining with a view of the river at Brickmakers Cafe and explore Occoquan Regional Park trails and history.
Pohick Bay Regional Park, Mason Neck
Explore the beautiful environment of Pohick Bay in your own or a rented boat. Pohick Bay rental boats include jon boats, single and double kayaks, canoes, pedal boats, and stand up paddleboards (SUPs). Rent canoes and kayaks by the hour or for a 4-hour block. Paddle boats and SUPS are available for one-hour rentals.
There is also a public boat launch, including an area for boats launched from trailers, and shore access for kayaks and canoes.
Riverbend Park, Great Falls
Riverbend Park offers weekend canoe, kayak, and rowboat rentals in the summer for exploring this shallow rocky section of the Potomac River. Boat rentals at Riverbend usually open in early June. A public boat launch is also available. Water skiing, jet skis, big boats, and tubes are not permitted.
We enjoyed kayaking with our teens at Riverbend and we also saw families in canoes and rowboats. Just be aware that the Potomac River current is strong. Add a hike to your outing on the Riverbend Park River Trail.
Northern Virginia Boating: More Places to Launch Your Own Boat
In addition to the places to rent boats in Northern VA listed above, several area parks offer self-launch boat access.
Algonkian Regional Park, Sterling
Algonkian’s boat launch is an excellent entry point to explore the Potomac River. The launch accommodates nearly any kind of boat including kayaks, canoes, and jon boats, as well as powered boats launched from trailers.
Bull Run Marina, Clifton
Bull Run Marina offers a boat launch for powerboats and cartop-launch boats from March to November. The launch is situated between a pair of wooden docks and offers easy access to the Occoquan Reservoir. To use the launch, purchase a season pass and gate key at Fountainhead Regional Park.
Extend your fun with a visit to the Charming Town of Clifton. And add a hike to your outing on the Bull Run Occoquan Trail: Fountainhead to Bull Run Marina.
Bazil Newman Riverfront Park, Landsdowne
Bazil Newman Riverfront Park, formerly Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park, offers boat launch access to the Potomac River and Goose Creek. Canoes and kayaks must be carried to the non-motorized boat landing at Kephart Bridge.
Great Falls Park, McLean
Likely the most intense place for kayaking in Northern Virginia, the waterfalls at Great Falls Park are only for experts. Still, watching kayakers navigate the falls in the summer is one of our favorite things to do at Great Falls. In fact, the park hosts the Extreme Kayak National Championship every August.
Less intense kayaking is popular below the falls in Mather Gorge, and you'll see kayaks, SUPs, and rafts navigating the river in summer. Most boaters launch from the Maryland side of Great Falls.
Keep Loudoun Beautiful Park, Sterling
This park, adjacent to the historic Goose Creek truss bridge, offers a canoe and kayak launch to Goose Creek, a designated State Scenic River.
Piscataway Crossing Regional Park, Leesburg
Piscataway Crossing offers easy boating access to the Potomac River, with access to Mason and Harrison Islands in the Potomac. The boat launch accommodates boats carried on car tops. Trailers, motorized boats, and jet skis are not permitted.
Explore the Occoquan Water Trail
The Occoquan Water Trail is part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. The 40-mile water trail is in two sections, separated midway by the Occoquan River Dam. Paddlers can travel the entire trail and the lower portion is also accessible to motor craft.
The trail begins on narrow Bull Run and continues to the tidal estuaries of the Potomac River. The changing landscape traces 13,000 years of human history and includes areas once visited by Captain John Smith and long occupied by Native Americans.
Public parking and boat access to the Occoquan Water Trail are available at Occoquan, Fountainhead, and Bull Run Regional Parks.
Whether your goal is a short paddle with the family, a day of relaxed fishing, or an epic adventure on historic waterways, Northern Virginia boating has an option for you. Grab a rental or bring your own boat to explore the beautiful lakes, rivers, and bays just outside Washington DC.
And when you tire of being on the water, jump in the water at Northern Virginia waterparks (some of which are right next to these boating areas).
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