Top 10 Recreational Rivers to Buy Property On

Posted by abreitenbach on June 29, 2021

Rivers connect humans to one another while also reconnecting us with the beauty of nature and the great outdoors. Rivers bring life, growth and beauty to the world that surrounds us. Rivers are loved and appreciated differently than lakes and oceans. Rivers tend to come alive, but they don’t overwhelm us. Most rivers you can see the other side and you can see the currents that speed up or slow down. Rivers have massive rapids that remind you of the immense power of nature, but they also have calm parts that let you engulf yourself in the intense beauty and calmness around you. Riverfront properties allow people to be surrounded by nature, while also still living their lives in society. You get the best of both worlds owning a waterfront property that invites people to enjoy the peace and calmness alone but also with family, friends and loved ones.

North Fork River in Missouri

The North Fork of the White River encompasses an area of about 1,830 miles square miles in both Missouri and Arkansas and its length is around 110 miles long. The river begins in Wright County, Mo. near the growing town of Mountain Grove, which is only about an hour away from Springfield, Mo.. From Wright County, the river flows through Douglas and Ozark Countieswith the end portion ending in Baxter County, Ark.. The North Fork is located next to the famous Mark Twain National Forest, known for its very rich and lush greenery. The water quality of this river is excellent due to the very healthy, natural environment that engulfs the area. The water flow is crisp and clean due to the fact that the river is fed by many springs. North Fork River has a variety of wildlife, which is why it’s nationally known as one of the finest wildly reproducing rainbow trout rivers in the U.S. The river also has a variety of bass, sunfish and other fish species for anglers. Along the river are beautiful properties with acreage, along with stairs or pathways that lead down to the water, allowing easy access to canoe, kayak, camp, or even cooking out for the day. There are also many tourist places to stay by the North Fork like Dawt Mill, which has an open outside bar, a shop, lodging and an indoor restaurant. The North Fork River offers idyllic views and many activities for anyone looking to buy a waterfront home, cabin or lot.

Eleven Point River in Missouri

Eleven Point River begins in the heart of the Ozarks in Howell County, Mo. and ends in a rural, remote area of Randolph County, north of Pocahontas. Eleven Point River is known for its canoeists, smallmouth bass, trout and stream-running walleye are found usually between Dalton and U.S. 62, both in Randolph County. Eleven Point River is spring fed (by some of the nicest wild springs in the state) so it’s a river that can be floated on year round. This river, much like the Current River, boasts approximately 20 miles of productive trout waters, starting at the mouth of Greer Spring Branch and continuing down to highway 160 near Riverton. Also like the Current River, it includes different types of trout management areas. Greer Spring Branch is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, making the spring itself accessible via the Greer Spring Trail. The Spring is the second largest spring in the state and is the tenth largest freshwater spring in the world. The stream has a steep gradient and a great flow, and fly fishermen stare at it with longing. Unfortunately, no fishing is allowed. The river is beautiful, full of wildlife and breathtaking scenery so you are sure to have a good time outdoors.

Current River in Missouri

The Current River was the first river in America to become a National River way. The Current River’s headwaters are formed by two main springs: Montauk Spring and Welch Spring. Both springs combined pump out millions of gallons of cold, clear water every day. The river flows from Montauk to Welch Spring, which nearly doubles its flow, and then all the way to Black River in Arkansas–a distance of around 184 miles. Black River eventually joins up with the widely known Mississippi River. The second largest tributary of the Current is Big Spring, one of the largest springs (by volume) in the entire world. This spring alone is worth a visit. Due to the spring water, the Current River has crystal clear, swift and ice cold waters year round. The views that surround this river are beautiful and breathtaking, making it the perfect river to float down with family and friends. Current River also offers great fishing opportunities, and has a variety of wildlife, including smallmouth bass and brown and rainbow trout. This river is great for a relaxing float, whether it’s in a tube, kayak, or canoe, it has very scenic views and is easy to navigate. There are multiple recreational activities people can do at the Current River, it’s a great spot to hang with friends and family, and cool off from those hot, humid Missouri summer days.

Cahaba River in Alabama

The Cahaba River is recognized as a special river in a state that has a wide variety of river use. It is the longest free-flowing river in Alabama and has a wide diversity of plants and fish due to the variety of its physical habitats and ecology. The World Wildlife Fund and the Nature Conservancy recognized the Cahaba River as being one of only eight Hotspots of Biodiversity in the world. Flowing through the Birmingham area in the heart of Alabama, the river attracts many canoeists and kayakers. The Cahaba River also offers recreational opportunities in the form of fishing, rafting, kayaking, floating and bird watching for many outdoor enthusiasts. One hundred thirty-five fish species are known to live in the Cahaba River and its tributaries. Several rare fish found in the Cahaba River have been assigned special conservation status. This group includes the Alabama sturgeon, Cahaba shiner, crystal darter, freckled darter, goldline darter, and frecklebelly madtom. In addition to rare fish species, the Cahaba River supports many popular native sportfish species such as largemouth bass and spotted bass, bluegill, longear sunfish, crappie, chain pickerel and many others. There are two subspecies of spotted bass. The spotted bass in the Cahaba River are called Alabama spotted bass. Alabama spotted bass grow much larger than their northern cousins do. Channel catfish, flathead catfish and blue catfish are among the most popular non-game fish caught in the Cahaba River. The Cahaba River has been an important source of recreational opportunities for the people of Alabama for many years. It receives the heaviest recreational use of any free-flowing river in the state. A fun fact about the Cahaba River is that from mid-May to mid-June, lilies bloom on the banks and islands of the river, making it one of the more unusually picturesque floats in the country. If you’re looking for a great way to get outdoors and spend time in nature, whether it’s floating the day away or catching fish for dinner, Cahaba River is a great go-to!

Niobrara River in Nebraska

Looking for your next lazy river destination? The Niobrara River in Nebraska is the one you are searching for. The Niobrara is designated a National Scenic River, so you’re in for idyllic views, waterfalls and diverse wildlife when you float down a 76-mile stretch of the waterway. The nearby campground in Smith Falls State Park is a great home base if you want to spend a few days camping out in nature during your kayaking, canoeing or fishing experience. Niobrara River also has a unique tradition called tanking, which involves floating down a river in a cattle tank, a vessel typically used to supply drinking water to livestock or horses. They are made of steel and are watertight, which makes them ideal for floating down a river. If you are not from Nebraska, you are probably wondering why in the world is this a thing? Well, according to the Nebraska Beef Council, more than six million cattle live in Nebraska. Fun fact: There are more cattle than people in the state. So, it only makes sense that this was made a tradition because of the unique circumstances in the state of Nebraska. When on the river, the beautiful scenic views of waterfalls, high cliffs, wildflowers and plant species that bend over towards the river, and an abundance of wildlife species creates the most perfect nature atmosphere for anyone looking to adventure and take in breathtaking views. The Niobrara River is perfect for family, children and friends. You can decide how you want to make the trip, but we are sure that no matter the speed or how you choose to travel in the waters, you will have a great time!

Rainbow River in Florida

The Rainbow River is a first magnitude spring with an outflow of about 400-600 million gallons of cool water (72 degrees year round to be exact) per day. Rainbow River is ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge and is truly a treasure of the Nature Coast. Now known as the Rainbow River, this crystal clear water has also been previously called Wekiwa Creek, Blue Run and Blue Spring. Today, the Rainbow River is proudly recognized as a Natural Trademark, an Aquatic Preserve and an outstanding Florida Waterway. While floating, kayaking or canoeing, there will be an abundance of wildlife you can encounter like: fish and turtles, amphibians, a wide variety of birds, playful river otters and potentially some alligators as well (alligators usually are not aggressive and like to lay out in the sun during the day, so they don’t cause immediate danger. Many bird species also call the Rainbow River home, which include Blue Heron, Cormorants, Osprey, Anhinga, Bald Eagles, White Ibis, Wood Ducks and lots more. There are many fish species that inhabit these waters, but you are likely to see Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, and Gar if you snorkel, fish or even swim. The river is true to its name, Rainbow, because of the aqua-colored water and beautiful different colored plant species around the river’s edge. This river is perfect for anybody looking to enjoy the outdoors and participate in recreational activities.

James River in Virginia

The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state. It begins in the mountains at the confluence of the cow pasture and Jackson Rivers in Botetourt County and ends at the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton Roads. The James is Virginia’s largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. It is 340 miles long and is fed by 15,000 miles of tributaries, which makes it one of the longest rivers in America that begins and ends in the same state. The James River watershed encompasses approximately 10,000 square miles, which makes up almost 25 percent of the state. It is home to one-third of all Virginians who live in its 39 counties and 19 cities and towns, and touches the lives of more Virginians than any other feature in the landscape. The watershed comprises three sections. The Upper James Watershed begins in Alleghany County and travels through the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains until Lynchburg. The Middle James runs from Lynchburg to the Fall Line in Richmond, while the Lower James stretches from the fall line in Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay. The James River has an abundance of wildlife species, from fish and to birds, to land mammals. Some of the most recognizable animal species are bald eagles, eastern box turtles, coyotes, grey and red foxes, white-tailed deer, otters, beavers, muskrats, great blue heron and so many more. The fish species consists of blueback herring, fairy shrimp, Atlantic sturgeon, and various other species. The James River offers breathtaking scenery and many areas designated for floating on kayaks, canoes and tubes. There are also places to camp along the shore of the river. It is also a very popular place to catch fish. Anything that someone is craving from the outdoors, the James River in Virginia offers just that.

Truckee River in Nevada

The Truckee River is western Nevada’s largest river. From its headwaters high in California’s Sierra Nevada, the Truckee River flows into and through Lake Tahoe, continuing down the Truckee River canyon to the Reno metropolitan area and then across miles of Nevada high desert before flowing into Pyramid Lake, 40 miles northeast of Reno.

The river’s 145-mile course takes it from alpine forests to high desert sagebrush. (The portion of the Truckee that begins in California in the Sierra Nevada and flows into Lake Tahoe is called the Upper Truckee River). Along its route, the Truckee River provides valuable drinking water for residents and businesses in the Reno area, generates hydropower, supplies irrigation water to farms along its banks and in the adjacent Carson River Basin, which offers varied recreational opportunities and serves as a vital ecosystem for fish and wildlife. The Truckee River is also in an endorheic basin, one that is closed and has no natural outlet to rivers or oceans. Instead, water leaves the basin through evaporation or seepage. While 63 tributaries fill Lake Tahoe, it only has one outlet — the Truckee River. The fish species you will find in these waters are rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and whitefish. This river is also known for the amazing floating activities it has. There are several different websites that offer party boats, kayaks, canoes, and tubes for a day drinking on these scenic, calm rivers.

Guadalupe River in Texas

The Guadalupe River has headwaters near Kerrville, Texas, and flows all the way to the San Antonio Bay in the Gulf of Mexico. The lower Guadalupe River begins at the Canyon Lake Dam and winds through the Texas Hill Country to New Braunfels. The Guadalupe River is 230 miles long, but the miles weaving through New Braunfels are the epicenter for summer river tubing in Texas! While the Comal River is known for its shorter float time and the famous tube chute, a float down the Guadalupe River offers scenic nature views and plenty of time to soak it all in. Tubing is the most popular activity on the Guadalupe River, but many adventure seekers also enjoy rafting, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding, and even camping. The Guadalupe River is also one of the nation’s hot spots for year-round fly fishing. Every winter, thousands of rainbow trout are released in locations across Texas, including in New Braunfels! This river running through Southeast Texas draws tubers and fishermen from all over the country. Drinking is perfectly legal while you’re floating and the folks who live along the route have been known to join the party, handing beers to tubers or just pranking them with rubber spiders and fake alligators. There’s a healthy abundance of wildlife species who call in and around the Guadalupe River home. The fish species include the well-known rainbow trout, big striped bass, small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass and Guadalupe Bass, the State Fish of Texas. There are carp, crappie, catfish, alligator gar, perch and, cichlids and sunfish, too. There’s also a lot of mammals that live near the river, like doves, opossums, several species of skunks, coyotes, raccoons, bobcats, weasels, white-tailed deer and many more. These species usually do not interfere with river goers and only live in the woodlands near it. If you are looking for a fun place to day drink on calm river waters with scenic views, and looking to meet new people? This is the river you are searching for!

Shenandoah River

The Main Stem Shenandoah River is formed when the North Fork and South Fork converge at Front Royal, Virginia. The Shenandoah flows for 57 miles until it empties into the Potomac River at Harpers Ferry,W.V.. The section of the Shenandoah which will be discussed is the 35 miles of river that lies within the state of Virginia. The section of the Shenandoah flowing through Clarke County is designated as a state scenic river. The Main Stem Shenandoah is a sixth order stream and averages around 150 feet in width. The river has a total of 21 tributaries, 12 in Virginia and nine in West Virginia. The word “Shenandoah” has Native American origins and it means “Daughter of the Stars.” Shenandoah River and its tributaries are a popular destination for water sports. Visitors and enthusiasts take part in activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking, canoeing and river tubing. Fishing is also very common in the river and is carried out as a recreational activity and for commercial purposes as well. Several species of fish live in the river such as the Largemouth Bass fish, Muskellunge, Sunfish, Crappie, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, American eel, Northern Hogsucker, White Sucker, Redhorse and Yellow Bullhead Fish. The river is also mentioned in a famous song, “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” by John Denver, which is also the state song of West Virginia. If you are looking for a place to go in the hot summer heat to relax, lay back and open up a couple of beers, or to take your family out fishing to catch tonight’s dinner? The Shenandoah River is the place you are looking for.

Riverfront Properties for Sale is a destination real estate website for clients interested in sale or purchase of river homes, lots located on the river, river view property as well as lake view homes for sale in locations throughout rural America. With thousands of lake and river homes and river access recreational listings, United Country Real Estate is your largest source for purchase or sale of waterfront properties nationwide. We can help you find vacation getaway, waterfront real estate, lake view or lake access homes, cabins and cottages located on a lake and lake timeshares, lakeside condos and more. United Country Real Estate can help you find properties located on the most desired rivers in the country.

Cited sources:

https://theoutdoorsist.com/plan-your-trip-to-current-river-missouri/

https://www.family-outdoors.com/current-river-trout-fishing