Summer is here, and it’s time to get out on the water and experience the wonders of the Northern Neck. Rappahannock Outdoor Adventures, Menokin’s partnership with the Town of Warsaw, makes it easy, providing kayak rentals and shuttle service from the Saddlery on Main Street in Warsaw. Opt to go at your own pace on a recommended route or, new this year, join Menokin’s Director of Education and Programs, Alice French, on a guided sunset paddle, which includes a historical interpretation of the waterways.
This partnership came to be, Juliana Grassia, Director of Visitor and Community Engagement at the Menokin Foundation, explained, when “the Town of Warsaw had an innovative vision for how to use and preserve the Saddlery while also bringing desirable amenities to Warsaw. At that point, Menokin had been doing kayak programming for a few years and it was growing.
A partnership with the Town of Warsaw to operate Rappahannock Outdoor Adventures made a lot of sense to us: it served our local community; it expanded our kayak offerings; and it also contributed to the town’s economic growth, particularly on Main Street. Our seasonal staff was from the Northern Neck, and we loved supporting the local economy with those jobs.” Kayakers from as far away as California took advantage of the 2021 inaugural season, and local residents from Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Westmoreland, King George and Richmond Counties, both last year and this year, receive a 50% discount.
Visit menokin.org/kayak for maps of suggested routes. The Dudley Route is great for beginners, a family group with children and those who want to take it slow. The Double Loop Route is about twice the length of the Dudley Route, and takes paddlers up and around some of the little islands in Cat Point Creek. The Newland Bridge Route, the longest route in terms of distance and time, is geared toward more experienced paddlers, as it includes a return upstream paddle. Keep an eye on the website, as new routes are being developed. You may also prefer to just paddle about and explore—be sure to bring binoculars for bird-watching and a waterproof camera for nature photography.
If your paddle hasn’t tired you out, you can take a guided walking tour from the Menokin Visitors Center, which includes stops at the Remembrance Structure, ruin and other points of interest. If the paddle has you worn out, you can take the tour via golf cart.
Reservations are not required for the tour but can be booked in advance with your kayak rental. Grassia adds, “We love building experiences for people, whether it’s a family looking for a day of fun or a church group that wants to schedule an outing for members. We have a lot of flexibility and are willing to work with you to plan the perfect day.”
Menokin’s kayak launch is free and open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paddlers can bring their own kayaks and canoes to launch on Cat Point Creek. For rental kayaks and shuttle rides, Rappahannock Outdoor Adventures operates Memorial Day to Labor Day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with shuttle rides to and from the Saddlery and the launch point. Rental kayaks are the sit-on-top style, so be prepared to get a bit wet, and be prepared to have an amazing adventure.
To learn more and to make reservations, visit menokin.org or call 804-333-1776.