It finally happened, friends. Summer loosened its grip on Central Virginia. I wouldn’t say we’ve had a true crisp, autumn day yet, but cool nights mean it won’t be long.

Maybe you associate fall with firepits and flannel. Maybe it’s pumpkin spice and apple picking. These are great things. I endorse them. But fall is king of the seasons because it renews my craving for adventure. It puts a giddyup in my step not to be drenched in sweat just getting in the car or watching my neighbor do yard work.

When the weather turns, I want to be outside all the time. If that strikes a chord, you might enjoy these three adventure itineraries. None is more than an hour from Richmond. All are presented as overnight trips (because fall camping is the best) but can be modified and turned into day trips.

Paddle Powhatan 

Where: From Cartersville to Powhatan State Park to Maidens on the James River

Why: Because solitude, or something close to it, is guaranteed on the James in autumn

When: Paddling through a tunnel of color is an underrated way to peep leaves. And according to Richmonder meteorologist Sean Sublette, fall foliage will peak in the Charlottesville area around Nov. 1. 

How: Start at the Cartersville boat ramp in Cartersville, Va. From here it’s about 12.5 miles, as the boat floats, to Powhatan State Park. The James winds serenely through rolling hills in this section. Around 7 miles in, you’ll encounter some Class I riffles that you could almost sleep through safely. Smallmouth bass, redbreast sunfish and others lurk below you on this float, so consider bringing a rod for yourself or the kids.

At the end of Day 1, you’ll arrive at your boat-in campsite at the state park. There’s a real river romance to a campsite you can’t just drive to. Day 2 is a shorter (6-mile) paddle from Powhatan SP to Maidens. The paddling experience will be similar to Day 1 – almost entirely placid.

Modify: Don’t have the time for an overnighter? Give the folks at Maiden Voyage Outfitters a call. They’ll shuttle you from Maidens up to Powhatan State Park. Then you can spend the day floating, fishing and peeping leaves back to your car at the put-in.

Note: Experienced overnight paddlers know to leave enough time for shuttle logistics. You’ll need to get dropped off at Cartersville and picked up in Maidens or leave a vehicle at each place.

Hike Bear Creek Lake

Where: Bear Creek Lake State Park and the surrounding Cumberland State Forest

Why: Because you can hike for hours by yourself just 45 minutes from downtown RVA

When: Anytime the weather looks good, but wait 3-4 weeks and you’ll enjoy peak fall foliage

How: Bear Creek Lake SP is diminutive but deceptive. The state park is less than 350 acres, but it’s nestled within the 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest (for perspective, Pocahontas is Virginia’s largest state park at around 8,000 acres).

On Day 1, your hike start depends on where you’re camping. Want to glam it up in a cabin? That gives you easy access to the Lost Barr Loop Trail. If tent camping is more your speed, you’ll start from the Acorn Loop camping area and access the Channel Cat Loop Trail.

Each trail follows the shore on opposite sides of the lake and can be connected with the Lakeside Loop Trail. Put all three together for over 5 miles of eastern woodlands hiking.

After a night in either your cabin or a tent, lace up your hiking boots and head out of the park and into the Cumberland State Forest for Day 2.

Tap here for a trail map or pick up a paper copy at the park. The Willis River Trail and the Cumberland Multi-Use Trail are each over 15 miles but can be tackled in shorter sections. Even more so than Day 1, these trails, and all the shorter options off of them, will present you with profound solitude. If you see 10 people, ask for your money back!

Modify: If a single day is all you have, simply pick the above hike that sounds more promising to you. But get an earlier start and give yourself plenty of time to tackle the Willis River or Cumberland Multi-Use trails.

Bike the Virginia Capital Trail

Where: The Virginia Capital Trail runs just under 52 miles from Richmond to Jamestown (or vice versa)

Why: To introduce yourself to bikepacking

When: Right now (or at least before it gets too cold)

How: By now you’ve probably at least heard someone mention the Virginia Capital Trail, even if you’ve never set foot on it.

The paved, multi-use path runs through Richmond, Henrico, Charles City and James City counties. It is 9 years old this month.

Your two-day journey along the trail is designed to get you acquainted with overnight cycling, or bikepacking. Riverside Cycling and Journeyman’s Adventure Co. are good places for newbie bikepackers to start. Both are walking distance from the Richmond terminus of the Trail.

The interactive map put together by the Va. Capital Trail Foundation is an excellent resource. Consult it to find all the amenities – restaurants, bathrooms, etc. – along the trail. Once you’ve got your gear dialed in and research done, park at the trailhead at Great Shiplock Park and start rolling. Day 1 ends either at Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park on the James River in Charles City County (29 miles from RVA) or at Chickahominy Riverfront Park (45 miles from RVA) at the mouth of the Chickahominy River. Lawrence Lewis Park features only primitive campsites. Chickahominy’s offerings run the gamut from primitive to full-on glamping. Wake up on Day 2, point your bike in the direction you came, and head back to Richmond.

Modify: I get it. You’re so close, and you want to say you did the whole trail. Here are your options:

1) Ride to Jamestown and back to one of the above campsites in one day.

2) Ride to one of the above campsites on Day 1, then ride to Jamestown and all the way back to Richmond on Day 2.

3) Drop a vehicle at Jamestown so you can complete the entire trail in one day and drive back to Richmond at the end.