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No reservation needed
Buffalo River Kayaking & Canoe Rentals
Just show up, pick your trip, and float. We keep canoe and kayak inventories large enough to meet supply and demand. This allows you to skip the hassle of reservations and time schedules
Rental price includes everything. No hidden fees.
- Canoe or kayak rental
- Life jackets
- Paddles
- Transportation to or from the river
- Parking
- Free boat insurance — if you accidentally damage a boat or lose a paddle or life jacket, you're covered, no charge. If you happen to find any of our paddles or jackets along your trip, however, we would greatly appreciate it if you would bring them back for us.
Please note: If you bring your own boat you are responsible for providing your own paddle and life jacket. We can not and will not rent or loan our equipment for personal boats. We sell a variety of life jackets (and paddles) in the camp store if you need to purchase one.
Pick your trip
Adventure awaits
One Day Trip
8-Mile Trip
8 Miles Average 4–5 hours
We shuttle you and your group up river to our private Topsy Bridge access, and you float back down to the office.
- Canoe (2 people)$50/boat + tax
- Single Kayak$40/boat + tax
- Tandem Kayak$75/boat + tax
- Your boat, our shuttle$25/boat + tax (single)$30/boat + tax (double)
PRIOR TO RENTING YOUR BOATS FOR THIS TRIP:
- Everyone in your group must be here
- Everyone in your group should be able to depart within 10-15 minutes
- Everyone in your group has to be on ONE FORM if you wish to ride the shuttle together
You can still pay separately.
One Day TripMost Popular
10-Mile Trip
10 Miles Average 5–6 hours
Launch from the office, we pick you up at the big painted blue rock anytime between 2pm and dark.
This is the only trip with the bluffs, rope swing, waterfall, and cave.
- Canoe (2 people)$50/boat + tax
- Single Kayak$40/boat + tax
- Tandem Kayak$75/boat + tax
- Your boat, our shuttle$25/boat + tax (single)$30/boat + tax (double)
Overnight Trip — Two Days, One Night
16-Mile Overnight
16 Miles Two days at your pace
We shuttle you and your group upriver to our private Trace Creek access, drop you off with all your camping gear, you float appx halfway, pick the undesignated primitive campsite of your choice, camp, and then finish your trip at Crazy Horse any time before dark the next day.
- Canoe (2 people)$75/boat + tax
- Single Kayak$65/boat + tax
- Tandem Kayak$110/boat + tax
- Extra nights+$25/boat/night + tax
- Your boat, our shuttle$30/boat + tax (single)$35/boat + tax (double)
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE DOING AN OVERNIGHT TRIP:
- You must come prepared. You will be in a primitive setting the entire time. Dry bags & waterproof items are highly recommended.
- Please be respectful of landowner signage & always leave it better than you found it.
- An overnight trip requires skill, knowledge, & preparation, so educate yourself. If you call 911, they will typically call us for assistance. Please note that if you call for a non-emergency (lost your shoes, too tired, sunburn, wet gear, etc) & we have to come pick you up, it will cost a minimum of $200. It is entirely too DANGEROUS for us to navigate the air boat with other boaters on the water or in the dark just because you are unprepared. Feel free to call & ask questions so we can help you better prepare for your trip. This has become a frequent issue that we must prevent.
Launch/Return Times
We do not have set launch times. Launch any time from opening until your trip's last-launch cutoff time which is listed on the float page.
| Trip | When | Last launch | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-Mile Trip | Daily | 2pm | before dark |
| 10-Mile Trip | Mon-Fri | 11am | before 6pm |
| 10-Mile Trip | Sat & Sun | 2pm | before dark |
| 16-Mile Overnight | Daily | 2pm | before dark, Day 2 |
On Saturdays we recommend being on the water by 10am or earlier to avoid long lines. It is especially important to arrive as early as possible on the Saturday's of Memorial Day & 4th of July weekends. We typically do not run out of boats, but since we operate on a first come first served basis, we still recommend arriving early.
Late fees Mon-Fri: $10/person after 6pm, plus $10/person for every hour thereafter.
Applies to the 10-mile trip on weekdays only.
Approximate float times
Approximate float times are based on leisure paddling with approximately 1 hour included for stops. You can do the trips faster or take much longer depending on how much you stop.
See more photos & videos in the gallery Print rental agreement
Feel free to complete for you and your group in advance so you can have it ready upon arrival.
Before you launch
Life jackets for every size
Life jackets (PFD's) are provided for all RENTAL boats. In addition to the standard orange PFD, we also offer the more comfortable vests for children, non-swimmers, or anyone who wishes to wear it. There is no extra charge for this. Please let us know, so we can get you fitted with the appropriate size. We have infant sizes & puddle jumpers up to XXXL. Our fitting room is sorted by weight -- under 50 lbs, 50-90 lbs, and 90 lbs and up -- so everyone in your group gets the right fit before you hit the water. You are also welcome to bring your own, but they must be USCG approved. ALL PERSONAL BOATS MUST PROVIDE THEIR OWN PFD'S AND PADDLES.
Tn State Law requires that everyone has to have a PFD (life jacket) with them in their boat. Children 12 and under are required to wear them at all times while in the boat — this is strictly enforced.
Safety on the water
The only OUTfitter in the area with airboat SERVICE
We're the only outfitter on the Buffalo River in Tennessee who offers airboat services to help ease your mind. If someone has a true emergency, or if a boat gets stuck miles downstream leaving you stranded, we don't wait-- we come to you. We also take the boats up and downstream routinely on weekends to assure everyone makes it off the water in a timely and safe manner. It's one of the most important things we offer to give you peace of mind while on the water.
Crazy Horse airboat traveling on the Buffalo River
What you'll find along the way
Adventure around every bend
Towering Bluffs
Waterfalls
Hidden Caves
Gravel Bars
Wildlife
Helpful tips & info
The questions we get every day — tap one to open it.