Milton Landing

Located just south of the City of Charlottesville, Milton Landing opens the door to the Rivanna River’s east bank. Perfect for putting in a canoe or going for a walk along the banks, there are also hopes of linking this area with the Rivanna Trail that rings Charlottesville and eventually leads all the way to the Fluvanna Heritage trail near Palmyra.

A stop at Milton Landing could turn up a variety of woodland and riverine species such as, wood ducks and belted kingfishers, which frequently travel up and downstream. Eastern phoebes are more sedate and can usually be spotted perched unobtrusively along the banks; their wagging tails often giving their presence away. Once the temperature dips and fall is in the air, large flocks of American robins blanket the treetops with fewer cedar waxwings scattered among them. Look for dragonflies and damselflies along the river in warmer months, especially the numerous American rubyspots which perch on low-lying branches close to the water and, at times, the very edge of the boat ramp itself.