We rented canoes. Our mentors, mentees and family had a great time on the water. Many of our mentee's were nervous, this being the first time they were on canoe's. Marcus was our guide. He was patient, attentive and friendly to all of us. Thank you for the opportunity. read more

We had a great time! The water level was perfect, the staff was so friendly and helpful. They were very accommodating for us to change our start time earlier. Marcus was very nice to take our pictures TY! read more

The kayake trip was amazing The staff was very helpful freindly and explained everything to us A1 hospitality read more

Super friendly staff and very accommodating! Book your trip and they pretty much take care of the rest! Beautiful stretch of elkhorn creek you really can't beat it. Highly recommended booking a float. read more

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Went here as a party of two recently and had a great time out on the water for a few hours. We were about 30 minutes late as we had first gone to the wrong location, but staff was incredibly flexible. Would definitely recommend! read more

Great experience on Elkhorn Creek. We rented a canoe and a kayak. The staff were friendly and helpful. The rental process was very simple. The creek was absolutely beautiful. We will return! read more

I went kayaking today for the first time and went to Canoe Kentucky because it was recommended by a friend. I did the Fun Float, which is 5 miles on the creek. Our shuttle bus driver, Lou was precious--he told Dad Jokes the whole way over. The equipment was fine--the $50 fee includes the time on the creek (we were on the water for about two hours), life jacket, kayak, and paddle. I would have liked a little more instruction since it was my first time, but I figured it out on my own. read more

Canoe Kentucky - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

Went stand up paddle boarding on Kentucky River. Kali is a great instructor for SUP - patient, clear, gives a lot of helpful information that I hadn't heard elsewhere. She takes away any apprehension and makes sure you'll have a good time! Everyone is accommodating, professional, and cheerful. They are careful to keep you safe while allowing you room to have fun and challenge yourself. read more

The staff is friendly and helpful. Elkhorn Creek is beautiful and peaceful. Having them shuttle us to the drop off point is so convenient and easy that I felt like I was cheating. Someone was there waiting for us when we paddled up at the end, so we could hop out and be on our way. The creek was fairly high when we went, but I didn't feel like any of the currents were something that a beginner couldn't handle. Plus, if we had tipped over, we could have easily stood up, including my friend's 11 year old. read more

I'm so grateful my job brought us here for World Emoji Day! Thanks to Canoe Kentucky, I got the chance to ride a tandem kayak for the first time, and it was amazing!! They offer you several vessels, kayaks, canoes, etc and for 2-3 hours, you get to ride down a slow moving river with your pals. There are a couple fast water spots along the way, so make sure to stay alert! They provided us all with life jackets and instructions, and there are spots along the way if you need to "pull over" and give your group time to catch up. No need to rush this experience at all, definitely take as much time as you'd like to enjoy nature and be prepared to come across as many turtles as possible!! Overall, such a wonderful experience compared to what I'm usually used to doing with my friends, and I would absolutely love the opportunity to try this again! read more

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Definitely a 20 out of 10! I highly recommend doing the kayaking and bourbon tasting trip with Canoe Kentucky! Our guides were awesome, lunch was delicious and we had a wonderful private tour and tasting at Buffalo Trace. #canoeky read more

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My fiancé and I made a trip to Canoe Kentucky for my birthday. It's only 45 minutes away from Lexington so it's a very easy day trip to make. Due to COVID, there really wasn't many people there, which made parking very easy. The parking areas are in neighboring houses yards, which sounds complicated, but the employees direct you to which lot to park in so it's very simple. Make sure to check in before you park. Prior to visiting, make a reservation on their website. It's very simple to do. The easy float is the first half of the ceek, which takes between 2.5-3 hours to paddle, depending on how fast you go and if you make any stops. The all day includes the second half of the creek, so you'll spend around 4-5 hours out on the water. The easy float is $45 per person for a kayak and $55 for the all day. You can bring your own kayaks or you can rent like we did. The employees are very helpful and they have a crash training course prior to getting on the water. This is just a creek so nothing to be concerned over, but they go over safety tips. Obviously, wear old shoes/sandals and old clothes or swimming suits because you will be in the water. This is a wonderful activity to do with the family. If you're looking for a fun trip during coronavirus, I highly recommend Canoe Kentucky. read more

Canoe Kentucky - On the creek - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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Yes to the Fun Float! Four of us rented two canoes (two adults, two kids aged 5 and 7), and had a wonderful day on the Elkhorn. The staff are great, especially the EMT shuttle driver, and if you are considering a canoe trip with young kids new to canoeing, this is the perfect start. The river is gentle and shallow, and easy for beginners. We began at around 11, but took our time by stopping frequently to play in the river, jump off a rope swing, and take a break to eat lunch, and finished around 2:30. Had we not stopped, it would have taken 2 hrs or less. Here are a few tips for your trip: pack a lunch (putting it in a plastic grocery bag is fine, you can stop on the banks of the river to eat), canoe KY will hold your car keys at the store, bring a waist pack (yeah, a fanny pack) to keep your phone from floating away, there is a restroom at the back of the store to use right before departure. There was a food truck and a snack truck in the parking lot in the afternoon, which would have been a fun post trip stop. CanoeKY is an excellent outfitter, I highly recommend them if you are in the area! read more

This past weekend was my family's second canoe trip through Canoe KY, and overall we had a really nice and relaxing day on Elkhorn Creek! The registration process is pretty straightforward (register online ahead of time), and sign in & fill out a waiver when checking in. CKY offers canoe and kayak options to use on the river. There is a short informational video before you're given your life vest (mandatory to wear for those under 13). Afterward, there is a Canoe KY bus that takes the group a few miles up the creek with the canoes & kayaks in tow. My family opted for the "All Day Adventure" which is about 5-7 hours, depending on how you paddle. When you reach the Canoe KY building you're required to check in and tell the front desk what time your group will be ready to be picked up at the end. CKY offers a pick up once an hour, on the half hour (1:30, 2:30, etc). We told the staff that we would be ready at 3:30 or possibly 4:30 if for some reason we got held up. We were ready and waiting to be picked up at 3:20, however it wasn't until my sister called that the bus came to pick us up at 4. The driver said he didn't have anyone registered to be picked up at 3:30, so we aren't sure what happened. (There were other groups waiting to be picked up at 3:30 as well) Willing to let the bus incident slide because we had such a great day! read more

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Our group had a great outing with this outfitter. They were able to process our need pretty quickly and overall the distancing measures felt safe. The route was a bit more challenging than I expected, but that may have been because of recent rain? read more

I've been twice now for the fun float, which is a 2 hour trip down the elkhorn creek. The scenery is beautiful. I really enjoyed the trip, it is so much fun! First you watch a safety video before they take you out to the launch site. Then they drive you about 10 minutes up the road and put your canoe in the water and off you go! The trip can take 2-3 hours depending on how fast you want to paddle/float and how the river is running. We've been once when the river was very low and once when it was considered perfect conditions and both times were enjoyable and we were able to float quite a bit without paddling. We saw tons of turtles and fish, a few deer (some dead), and birds. Great times! read more

I wanted to write this review because I hope to maybe change the atmosphere or goals of Canoe Ky. I have kayaked in Alaska, Captiva FL, The Everglades, Red River Gorge, Ky River Otters (Palisades) and many more. Everywhere I have kayaked, I have felt cared for and educated. When I first started kayaking I was so impressed with the community and their love for the environment and their craft. I have used Canoe Ky 3 times in the last 2 years and every time I use them I feel like I am at Walmart. It is very impersonal, they are running a business. Now don't get me wrong, I know they are running a business BUT you can still create an atmosphere of kindness, education and support for your customers. I feel like Canoe Ky knows they have a monopoly and therefore have decreased their customer service because they can. After saying all that, I have enjoyed the kayak trips, the area is so beautiful and we have seen so much wild life. I am always happy when in nature! I wish for all to have a great experience when enjoying the beautiful Elkhorn Creek. read more

Clara, Sterling, and Connor (Conner?) we're all so fantastic on this trip. Very helpful and informative. I didn't fall out of the kayak so that's a win. 10/10 would recommend and will come back! read more

Perfect day on the water! Hubby and I are still novice canoers. This past Sunday we had a great time on the Elkhorn Creek. The weather was perfectly balmy. The creek was calm with just a few gentle rapids to remind us why we must keep the life jackets on. The Elkhorn is a lot wider than Floyds Fork. We were not worried about being swept into the roots and branches of trees. The creek was only about 2-3ft deep on this Sunday. It is just what we want as novice paddlers. There were a few places where we knew we have to carry the canoe rather than getting stuck on the rocks. The guy did mention that we should get out at a place called "The Claw", survey the water and proceed with caution. We followed his advice and chose a route wisely. We did not flip over once! Although I don't think it will be so bad if we did fall in the water. The temperature was warmer than I had thought. I saw a few people, including little kids swimming in the creek. There are many nice locations to stop and have a picnic or fish on the banks. Everyone we encountered on the creek were friendly and courteous. We finished the Fun Float in just over 2 hr. Hubby and I both agreed that it was worth the drive and we will be back! read more

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This was by far the most fun I have had on a Kayak trip! We had a group of five with only one of us needing to rent a kayak from them. The rental was $45 and included the life jacket and paddle. The lady at the front desk did a great job of instructing us where we should put in our kayaks and then take out as well as the different location the person who rented would have to take out/put in. She even gave us a small nap with the locations circled on it. The water levels were awesome and water temperature cool from all the rain we have had lately. There are so many places to stop for a swim or picnic and many friendly paddlers floating around to talk to. We will definitely be going back soon! The Canoe KY shop was awesome as well with many things for a kayak or canoe trip available to purchase before heading out. read more

We've been here a couple of times now for a canoe trip down the Elkhorn Creek, and it's always a blast. The trip itself is really beautiful and serene, and you can get to Canoe Kentucky in about an hour from Louisville. On our most recent trip, we got a canoe and even brought our dog along for the ride! It was $55 for the two (or, I guess, three) of us to do the float trip, which lasted about three hours with a few stops. They also have kayaks, but that seems like too much work for us. :) There are several good spots to stop and have lunch or swim or whatever, and you can bring coolers and whatever else you need. The Elkhorn does get shallow in some spots, so you may have to get out and push once or twice. But for a fun, peaceful afternoon, this is a great activity. read more

Canoe Kentucky - Sailing down the Elkhorn in the K-9 canoe - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

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What a great adventure! We were a little bummed at first as we were informed that our canoe trip would be cancelled due to the river being flooded out. However, we were then offered a raft to take on the water and it ended up being an even better experience! The staff were friendly and knowledgable, explained safety procedures to us and gave us advice on how to steer clear of any dangerous obstacles we might encounter. I'm glad to know that they take safety seriously and put us first! read more

Really enjoyed our kayaking trip. The staff was friendly and answered our questions. Great place for a kayaking or canoeing outing!

Had a great time and will be back. We did the fun float on kayaks and it was the perfect little day trip to soak up the sunshine and the great outdoors. My only complaint is that the creek is very shallow in many places so getting stuck on the rocks is inevitable (for a novice such as myself) and that gets a bit frustrating after a while but not enough to prevent me from going again. read more

We hired kayaks and did the 6 mile ride back to their shop The good: * the creek/river is very scenic and peaceful * there are some very gentle rapids which make it interesting without getting dangerous * the guy giving the initial talk was engaging The bad: * we'd have preferred sit in kayaks but they only had the sit on board ones. The ones they had are safer/easier for beginners, but less maneuverable and slower. * assuming we're beginners (which their range of boats does!) they should check we set off OK. The van driver drove off while we were still getting off the shore. We were fine, but everywhere else I've kayaked they make sure you're floating down the river before they leave. * $80 for two for a paddle downstream wasn't cheap. Nearby red-river-adventures charges less, has better yelp reviews, appears to rent sit-in kayaks and has a more challenging course, next time I'm in Kentucky I'd try them. read more

The staff here is really easy going and friendly, and very helpful. Very good for beginners, especially rafting. Our waters were supposed to be a little bit choppy, but in all honesty the ride was pretty boring and we probably could have survived canoeing instead. Anyways, the canoes and kayaks can be sent out with a guide alongside you, which is recommended if you aren't familiar with how to do it. Overall, a really great time in KY. I'd come again! read more

I was pleasantly surprised in the level of enjoyment of my trip down Elkhorn Creek. The shop is really neat, and I liked how they offer a safety video before you venture out on the river. I feel it's informative for paddlers with less experience. The river was very shallow, but I enjoyed the challenge of picking the right route to not get hung up on the rocks. The river is very quiet and peaceful. A few other river trips I've been on were next to roads, pretty noisy. All in all, I will be back again soon. Hopefully bring a bigger group and the water level will be up a bit. PS - BRING YOUR PETS! They're cool with it. read more

This place is fine. There are a couple of kayaking or canoeing options. It's not too expensive. Beautiful and serene, however, there are a couple of spots that are difficult to navigate, like you should get out of whatever you're in and walk over the land a bit, or, you know, tip over into the creek, whichever you prefer. Some people like to get soaked, it's natural and such. Anyway, if you need a place to paddle, this is a fine spot. read more

Great staff and very nice set up.... Lots of locals on the river that runs along roads which kind of kills the out in the wilderness feeling at times. Not that long of a ride on the river. Only takes about 2 hours to get back to the dock from drop off. If you do the long trip you can go another 1 or so. Took us 4 hours to do the "long ride" and we got out twice and took pictures and stopped for lunch. Cost a bit more than comparable companies. Just don't go in with high expectations. read more

Canoe Kentucky - Great weather! - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officers stand on the bank targeting and ticketing Canoe Kentucky customers who are fishing or drinking an adult drink. If you are doing anything but paddling expect to get questioned and possibly ticketed. I spoke to the co-owner after the we were back to the property. Thinking I was doing a good deed. He was very rude and even raised his voice to me. He told me that he wanted the KFW officers out there. read more

I had a great time on Elkhorn Creek getting some canoing instruction from Chris Howard for an upcoming trip I'm taking. Chris is a great teacher and very patient, explaining everything about the water I didn't realize was important. The creek itself is really pretty with enough tiny rapids and obstructions to provide teachable moments in a safe environment (I guess this depends on the water level). Mid-August was perfect, many people out enjoying the day and the three hours on the water was just about right. The drive from Lex is pretty - make sure you know the way home because no GPS for awhile on your way out down country roads. Tip for arriving on busy weekends: Park in the lot across the road (which is on the right if coming from Lexington and a little before the shop) and walk over to the shop Otherwise you might end up having to back out from a crowded parking lot in front of their shop onto a country road which seemed a little difficult with big SUVs parked there. The shop had a lot of nice things but inventory was low due to the end of season and pandemic. Next time I'd like to get a canoe kentucky t-shirt. There was a good barbeque going on where you could purchase food, which I appreciated because I was pretty hungry after. That may only be on the weekends. Overall A+. Thanks! read more

We had heard of people floating the Elkhorn River. My wife and I both love being on the water. Decided to take a trip to Frankfort and check out Canoe Ky. Absolutely loved every minute of it except for the post sunburn care. The staff at Canoe Ky were very helpful. A short safety video made us aware of what to do and be cautious of on the river. We chose the all day float. My wife and I had a tandem kayak. I thought the boat was very stable. The river is not deep. I would say 90% of places on the river are less than 3 foot deep. I did have to get out and push us off the shoals a couple of times. Not a big deal. The river conditions were normal besides all the rain which occurred the week before. We were asked to check in at the shop before continuing on to the Hwy 127 take out point. I went in a informed the staff I was checking in and then continued on. My guess is the all day trip took us about 4.5 hours. Anything less would have been too short of a trip. Once we loaded up to come back to the shop we changed clothes and headed home. It would have been nice if there were showers. They don't have a lot of real estate space along the river. Their neighbors put signs up In the yard asking people to stay off their property. I'm sure this is a necessity since they do a lot business. One more thing. I noticed there were inflatable river boats at the put in point. That would have sucked floating down in one of these things. Not exactly a white water adventure river. This river is best described as a laid back enjoying the sunshine type of float. https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g39426-d649005-r391329680-Canoe_Kentucky-Frankfort_Kentucky.html# read more

Great Kayaking experience. Unfortunately can't say the same for the staff. Getting information from them was like pulling teeth and the information we got was in error. When confronted, they gave us attitude. Gave bad directions for where to park. When we went back the third time asking where to go, we were asked by staff and management for an apology or they were going to prevent us from going out. Even received attitude from the manager who tried to protect his staff. Arrived and asked where the life jackets were. She pointed to the back wall. Once my friend arrived, he told me that they told him life jackets are provided. I immediately asked for a refund of my $90. I then proceeded to put on one of their life jackets that smelled like it had never been washed. When we were done we had to wait for the shuttle to pick us up for a half hour. Turns out we got lucky because the driver told us they only come 2-3 times for pickups on weekdays. Thank you Canoe Kentucky for making us feel like idiots. read more

We make the trip to canoe ketucky and was worth the hour and forty minute drive. The staff was so helpful and friendly! Recommend the help to anyone looking to learn more about the river. We will be back to test our skills in the future! read more

I went on a Fun Run last summer when the water was really low, but still had a great time. I rented a kayak and the route was great. Canoe Ky were very friendly and had a good selection of things to buy. This trip led me to spend $1000.00 on my own kayak I bought and love to kayak now. Here's my only question with Canoe Ky. The shuttle expenses are really high. I was told when I called that it was $20.00 for a shuttle to my car that is at a drop off approx. 2 1/2 miles away if that far. I mean I understand a fee and gas prices as well as a driver, but $20.00 to shuttle down the street that would take 2 minutes is a bit high. This led me to not take their route that day. read more

This is a great place to take the family! The staff was very helpful with getting our trip set up and answering any questions we had and the equipment they had was top of the line. Definately bring a fishing pole for the smallmouth bass! read more