Greater Cincinnati is home to a wealth of rivers — the Little Miami, the Whitewater, the Great Miami — all perfect for floating a Sunday away while perched in a canoe or kayak. Here are five favorites.
Check with each business about reservations, specific rental fees and what you can and can’t bring with you. (We’re looking at you, ca-brewers.) Hours and availability are always subject to change based on river conditions, and most rentals want you to reserve space online in advance.
Loveland Canoe & Kayak
Loveland Canoe offers a 2- to 4-hour paddling party down the Little Miami River and past Historic Loveland Castle. Trips are kid-friendly (for those 5 and older), but not dog-friendly. Single and tandem kayaks are available. Pricing starts at $35 per person, and Loveland Canoe also offers season passes and five-pack passes. 174 Karl Brown Way, Loveland, lovelandcanoe.com.
Morgan’s Outdoor Adventures
The third-generation, family-run Morgan's has spots in Ft. Ancient on the Little Miami River, in Brookville on the Whitewater River and even in Costa Rica. Local trips run between 3 and 7 miles long. Reservations are $25-$65; single kayaks are $25. You can also rent rafts for the Whitewater River for 4-10 people or single-person tubes for a 5-mile float. 5701 OH-350, Oregonia; 7040 Whitewater River Lane, Brookville, morganscanoe.com.
Green Acres in Harrison is located on the Whitewater River and offers 3-, 5- or 8-mile trips. This rental company stopped taking reservations in advance and only offers in-person rental, but assures they have thousands of kayaks available. Kids 12 and older are allowed to kayak; dogs are not. Rental fees are $29.95 per person and $36.95 on weekends and holidays. 10465 Suspension Bridge Road, Harrison, greenacrescanoe.com.
Tippecanoe and Kayaks Too
This 7.5-mile canoe and kayak trip takes paddlers down the Great Miami. Dogs are allowed and Tippecanoe offers rentable floating coolers. Children older than 7 can partake in the fun. Rentals are $30 per person. Blue Bell Beach, 7958 Harrison Ave., Cleves, tippecanoeandkayakstoo.com.
Scenic River Canoe Excursions
Select from either a 6-mile or 8.5-mile float down the Little Miami River. Children must be at least 5-years-old to participate. Dogs are not allowed. Single-person kayaks, tandem kayaks and canoes are available for rent (depending on your route). Rates for the Remington's Run 8.5-mile adventure run $35-$40. The 6-mile Fletcher's Mid Trip run $35-$80. 4575 Mt. Carmel Road, Milford, scenicrivercanoe.com.
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