Located in Philly and the surrounding 'burbs, these five canoe and kayak rental companies allow the trepidatious outdoorsman to experience the great outdoors —without a prolonged sacrifice of working plumbing and Wi-Fi. (Unless, of course, that's your thing, in which case, you should click on through to our roundup of the 9 best campgrounds near Philadelphia.)
Nestled deep in bucolic Chester County, this enduring rental outfit equips the general public with canoes, kayaks and tubes, all of which serve as vessels for leisurely, self-guided floats down the meandering Brandywine River. Trips span one to 6.5 hours, with participants shuttled to a launch site at various spots along the river. Note that kids as young as 2 may accompany their caregivers in a canoe or kayak.
Address: 1810 Beagle Road, West Chester, Pa.
Phone:Â (610) 793-2279
Season: May–Oct.More »
Knowledgeable guides chaperone the kayak tours at Hidden River Outfitters. Offering a new vantage point from which to view Philly landmarks and the city skyline, tours travel down the Schuylkill River and include 30 minutes of professional kayak instruction before getting in the water.
Sporting a pair of trustworthy sea legs? Consider partaking in one of Hidden River's stand-up paddleboard lessons.
Address: Departing from the Walnut Street dock (Walnut Street and the Schuykill River) and the Manayunk Brewing Co. (4120 Main St., Manayunk)
Phone: Schuylkill Banks tours: (215) 222-6030;Â Manayunk Tours: (215) 482-8220
Season: June–Sept.More »
The calm and slow-moving waters of the east branch of the Brandywine River keep this Coatesville tour company in business. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for self-guided cruises downriver, with the 2.5-hour "Embreeville Tour" being the most popular. It begins at launch site in the town of Mortonville and concludes at (you guessed it) Embreeville.
Pro tip: Purchase exclusive access to the privately owned, 26-acre Picnic Park, and you can enjoy eight hours of one-on-one time with Mother Nature.
Address:Â 2096 Strasburg Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
Phone:Â (610) 486-6141
Season: April–Sept.More »
There are a few perks that come with renting a tube, kayak or canoe from Port Providence Paddle. First, this tour company is located in Phoenixville, on the banks of the Schuylkill River, so you won't have to venture far to get your oars wet. Second, tours depart from the American eatery Fitzwater Station, making post-float brews and bites super convenient.
Third, Port Providence Paddle's popular, 2.5-mile-long "The Loop" tour has the same start and end point. Read: no shuttle required.
Address: 264 Canal St, Port Providence, PA 19460Â
Phone: (610) 933-1421Â
Season: Year-round, weather permitting More »
Marsh Creek Lake, the 535-acre gem in the crown of Chester County's Marsh Creek State Park, serves as the foundation for kayak tours with this Downington tour company.
Held after nightfall during the summer, Marsh Creek Watersports' 90-minute Night Tours are a must-do. Take in the tail end of a summer sunset as you paddle through the quiet waters.
Address:Â 675 Park Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: (610) 458-5040
Season: April–Oct.More »
1. Northbrook Canoe Company
Nestled deep in bucolic Chester County, this enduring rental outfit equips the general public with canoes, kayaks and tubes, all of which serve as vessels for leisurely, self-guided floats down the meandering Brandywine River. Trips span one to 6.5 hours, with participants shuttled to a launch site at various spots along the river. Note that kids as young as 2 may accompany their caregivers in a canoe or kayak.
Address: 1810 Beagle Road, West Chester, Pa.
Phone:Â (610) 793-2279
Season: May–Oct.More »
2. Hidden River Outfitters
Knowledgeable guides chaperone the kayak tours at Hidden River Outfitters. Offering a new vantage point from which to view Philly landmarks and the city skyline, tours travel down the Schuylkill River and include 30 minutes of professional kayak instruction before getting in the water.
Sporting a pair of trustworthy sea legs? Consider partaking in one of Hidden River's stand-up paddleboard lessons.
Address: Departing from the Walnut Street dock (Walnut Street and the Schuykill River) and the Manayunk Brewing Co. (4120 Main St., Manayunk)
Phone: Schuylkill Banks tours: (215) 222-6030;Â Manayunk Tours: (215) 482-8220
Season: June–Sept.More »
3. Brandywine Outfitters
The calm and slow-moving waters of the east branch of the Brandywine River keep this Coatesville tour company in business. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for self-guided cruises downriver, with the 2.5-hour "Embreeville Tour" being the most popular. It begins at launch site in the town of Mortonville and concludes at (you guessed it) Embreeville.
Pro tip: Purchase exclusive access to the privately owned, 26-acre Picnic Park, and you can enjoy eight hours of one-on-one time with Mother Nature.
Address:Â 2096 Strasburg Road, Coatesville, PA 19320
Phone:Â (610) 486-6141
Season: April–Sept.More »
4. Port Providence Paddle
There are a few perks that come with renting a tube, kayak or canoe from Port Providence Paddle. First, this tour company is located in Phoenixville, on the banks of the Schuylkill River, so you won't have to venture far to get your oars wet. Second, tours depart from the American eatery Fitzwater Station, making post-float brews and bites super convenient.
Third, Port Providence Paddle's popular, 2.5-mile-long "The Loop" tour has the same start and end point. Read: no shuttle required.
Address: 264 Canal St, Port Providence, PA 19460Â
Phone: (610) 933-1421Â
Season: Year-round, weather permitting More »
5. Marsh Creek Watersports
Marsh Creek Lake, the 535-acre gem in the crown of Chester County's Marsh Creek State Park, serves as the foundation for kayak tours with this Downington tour company.
Held after nightfall during the summer, Marsh Creek Watersports' 90-minute Night Tours are a must-do. Take in the tail end of a summer sunset as you paddle through the quiet waters.
Address:Â 675 Park Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: (610) 458-5040
Season: April–Oct.More »
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