I have run many races, from 5k parkruns to half marathons, that start at Fletcher's Boathouse or go past. The Canal Tow Path is terrific: flat, smooth, straight, soft, and scenic. I am writing for three reasons. I have revised this review, because my description of the parking was only partly accurate. That is due to my stupidity, looking primarily in the summer -- I was able to perceive more clearly when the leaves were off the trees, in the winter. I just came back from the venue moments ago. So I can be much more clear. First, there are two parking lots. There is a tiny one right there. I would not count on it. The one time, I flew on a redeye flight just as the pandemic was ending, to run a half marathon. I am not in the shape needed to do that anymore. I arrived maybe 6am. That meant I could find a space and take a quick nap. But fifty feet down the dirt road is a tunnel. It is so cramped you might not believe your car will fit. But that is what it is for. A sedan will do fine; an oversize SUV, maybe not. It's also two way with room for only one car width. This passage leads across the canal. There is a much bigger parking lot. I have had good luck. I would bet it fills up on busy days later in the morning, but in the 7am range it's half empty. Usually, I Uber to this destination or I park in the neighborhood, and walk the remaining half mile. Second, the turn into the parking lot is tight. I cannot describe it. It'd be easier to draw a diagram. It's more than two roads meeting; the angles also are oblique. People don't understand how the intersection works. That is aggravating. I try not to be judgmental. Probably there will be an accident sometime, and that will lead to reform. My wife refuses to drive down here. The narrowness of the sidewalk renders it dangerous for pedestrians. Please, be careful. Third, they have restrooms. They are kept clean. This is a huge boon. I am always on the lookout for public restrooms of high quality. I share for the benefit of all. read more

Fletcher's Cove is just a few miles from downtown, yet it feels miles further away with its peaceful water and forested banks. Even with my paddleboard exploding when inflating, it was a wonderful trip. The park entrance is fee-free, and there is plenty of parking just a few feet away from kayak launches, a small dock with rental kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. Cramming myself and my friend into our single remaining inflatable kayak worked out great. The Potomac has a lazy flow at the fastest, and there is a large area with little movement that makes lazy drifting easy and perfect for kids and those looking for more relaxation than paddling. Absolutely great spot to go after work or with the family on weekends! read more

If you enjoy fishing, this is a popular spot for the annual shad run which can start in March and last through April. Shad are relatively small, silver coated fish which come in huge numbers from West Virginia. I took my son to Fletcher's Boat House in mid-March and April 2022. It's a convenient location as they sell bait and licenses if you need them. On a Sunday afternoon it was crowded with lots of people fishing, kayaking or paddle boarding. On the plus side, I like the easy flat access to the Potomac River (in most locations, river access involves a tedious walk down a steep incline). Also, there is quite a bit of parking as well on the river side of the C&O canal. On the minus side, it can be difficult to drive into the Fletcher's Boat House area from Canal Road, because you have to take a one-lane road down. if you are driving from the Chain Bridge (points north), it's not possible to make a super-sharp right. Instead, it's easier to make a slight left at the traffic light (go up the hill on Reservoir Road), do a U-turn, and then come back down Reservoir Road to access the one-lane road. In summary, it's worth visiting to enjoy the scenery and easy access to the river! read more

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A truly hidden gem for kayaking or paddle-boarding in the area. Fletcher's Cove is a beautiful outdoor space that's tucked away (and a little difficult to access) along the river, with scenic views that would have you believing you're a lot further outside of a city than you really are. The 1-lane road down to the boat house is far from intuitive for a first visit, but once you're there it's so worth the drive. read more

It's very beautiful here. Has such a camp feel. There's picnic tables and benches to have a picnic and eat lunch. Great for pictures and a relaxing afternoon. There are bike paths that take you to Georgetown and up to cabin John. You are also able to rent the lock houses for a night or two! The parking lot can be a struggle to get in. I suggest going left up the road next to the entrance to turn around and go back down the hill to the entrance. Be very careful it's hard! read more

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We booked reservations for Fletcher's a few hours in advance for a Saturday afternoon kayaking trip. Staff members were friendly and helpful, and prices were affordable (hourly rates are $18 for a single kayak/$22 for a double). The process was smooth and easy, from checking in to getting our boats. Some general tips (that mainly apply to boating): - Water shoes are not necessary - most people were wearing regular shoes and your feet stay mostly dry - Phones/cameras are safe to bring - I left my phone to avoid getting water into it, but it would definitely be fine in a shirt/pant pocket Overall, this was a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend checking Fletcher's out! read more

Such a hidden gem in DC - I wish I discovered this sooner! There weren't many people for a Saturday afternoon which is surprising. There is a cute little shop to get more information and snacks. The kayaks were comfy and the water was calm! It was sort of difficult to get to, so make sure you're using google maps (not Waze) and really paying attention when you get close. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Great place with lots of parking available. Weekends get busy so if it's beautiful out it's best to make a reservation online. We got lucky and they had a two person kayak available for us. One hour was $30 . Best part is- dog friendly! They provided us with all the equipment and life vests even a cute pink life vest for my dog. I can't wait to go again! read more

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THIS PLACE WAS AWESOME!! Fletcher is fab (I actually don't know who he is lol). But do yourself a favor and come here. We went paddle boarding and I think the pics speak for themselves, we could not stop smiling! The staff was super friendly. We booked online (don't forget to sign your waivers online to speed up the process, you can do it in person too). We did a 1-hour slot and we could've maybe done a bit more, but for us that day it was perfect. Can't recommend it enough. You get a view of the Washington Monument too (just head left out of the docks)!! This may be a boat house, but with its fit for anyone from the White House. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Paddle Boarding! - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I love this place I've been fishing over there for many many years. I love the people working there so friendly and convenience.

Idyllic setting, plenty of picnic table/benches. Affordable kayaks or rowboats for rentals. Public Restrooms Highly recommend! read more

I took my brand new bicycle on its inaugural ride along the Capital Crescent Trail and stopped at the Boat House for an ice cream sandwich. It was $1, which seemed fair. There are picnic tables here should you need to take a load off. Fletcher's Boat House is open from early March through the Fall, and offers rental boats, canoes and bicycles, and sale of bait, tackle and refreshments like hot dogs, Gatorade, and ice cream novelties. I should warn you, though, the bathrooms here are nasty. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Starting a morning with a two hour kayak ride is invigorating and therapeutic. Fletcher's Boat House is the place to do it early in the morning because they open 7AM. The guardian of the place (Dan) is as kind as possible a human can be. Every morning he will welcome you with a smile. People like Dan make companies look really good. What is amazing to me is that the stretch of river between Key bridge and Chain bridge is DC proper, but when you see the pictures you cannot tell where it is. The abundant wilderness and fish jumping out of water everywhere around you make you believe that you are in a jungle somewhere far away. The connection with the nature is a big plus for this boathouse, owned (as all others are) by the Guest Services as a part of boatingindc.com You can feel good, make a difference, and pick up few floating plastic bottles from a river and stick it in the rental kayak and the host will gladly dispose it for you - as we all need to protect our natural resources. Fletcher's Boat House is not for the folks who have never kayaked because the river current is noticeable. read more

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So I've come to appreciate the joy of kayaking relatively late in life - one of my favorite excursions is going to Thompson Boat Center and renting a kayak and paddle around the Kennedy Center etc. imagine my joy to find Fletcher's, where you can also rent a kayak but have a more secluded and nature-infused experience! Great place for a date or more active outing with friends. read more

Super friendly staff here! From renting the boat to getting life jackets to getting the boat of your choice... Everything here is well organized and well run. There's plenty of parking although the turn in can be a little nerve racking if you're never done it before... either crossing traffic or a hairpin turn... just be careful! There are restroom facilities here with running eater near the tow path. Great place to spend the afternoon! Or morning Or all day... read more

Easy reservations, excellent service as well as bathrooms. Don't recall if there were snacks but definitely water and sodas for sale. The canoes and kayaks were fine, and life jackets are color-coded so you get one that fits. Love this place! read more

Canoe and kayak rentals. I'm not sure if they had anything else for rent. Snacks and beverages, and some misc items available for purchase. We kayaked the river in DC for some nature and wildlife for a little over an hour. It was a pretty easy kayak trip, and got to see the bridge and the Washington Monument. Employee assisted us in getting into the kayaks, but were not available upon our return. Thankfully we knew what we were doing, but they should probably keep a better eye on the customers returning to avoid any safety issues. The location is difficult to get to, especially during rush hour. It is a very small 2-way street to get down into the boathouse, but the main street it is off from is only one -way during certain hours of the day. We missed it and had to go up and around again to return. Nonetheless, great little, quaint area once you're there. At the parking area, you have to go past the bathrooms, onto the wooden bridge, and then down over the little hill and then you will see the rental station. It is not visible at all from the parking area. We saw birds, deer, and turtles throughout. And plenty of amazing trees and airplanes straight through that portion of the river about every four minutes. It was a great 1.5 hours spent kayaking. I would go again. read more

If you are looking for a spot to gather with friends and grill under the shade of big trees right by the river then this is the spot for you. The boathouse has affordable kayak, canoe, rowboat and bike rental which just ads to the outdoor fun. Bear in mind though that if you are going by car, you will need to do your homework on directions and expect some very hidden and counter intuitive turns off canal road to get there. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A great alternative to Georgetown Boats and the Harbor location which is entirely too busy for kayaking.

Decided last minute to go to Fletchers Labor Day morning. I called at 1030 and was told the kayaks were first come first serve and it costs around $14 for an hour. Driving there is interesting- we crossed over and took a left on m st. Then there is a tiny one way road you go down, easy to pass, we did and u turning is not easy on this road. Once we were there we got two kayaks, life vests and oars. It was a beautiful day and the two guys running the dock told us the best ways to go and how long it traditionally takes. Perfect way to spend the weekend- 100% recommend it. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Chesapeake and Ohio canal - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Every summer I come to Fletcher's boat house to kayak. This side of the Potomac is less crowded than the Key Bridge side, and you will experience more nature. This time, we brought our dog, who enjoyed seeing other kayakers or just taking a nap under the shade. read more

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I came here for a colleagues birthday kayaking day out and it was such a wonderful experience. She had explained that this location is better than going out in Georgetown because it tends to get a little busy which makes sense (so many boat shoe wearing patrons, so little water, I get it). We came here and it was first off, beautiful and clearly in a historic area, second off, there was ample parking and not many people on this gorgeous Sunday morning. We were assisted in getting life jackets and kayaking equipment and were out on the water in no time. The paddling varied from pretty difficult, to just easy, even ending on some really cool white water areas which I couldn't do but looked cool. I will definitely be back as we had such a nice relaxing time. read more

Everyone goes to the boat house in Key Bridge, but silly, avoid that mess, come here and get a kayak a lot faster. Also, you can go upriver and explore stuff like the waterfall that's just right off the river before Chain Bridge. At least I think it's before Chain Bridge. I guess you just have to go explore and find it on your own, the good ol fashioned way. You can take the capital crescent trail from Georgetown if you're on your bike, otherwise they have a huge parking lot you can hit up. I work in McPherson Square, so sometimes for a workout/ride I go there to the boathouse, grab a gatorade, turn around and come back to DC. It's beyond great to have this place so close to DC, yet when you go there, you feel you're away from it. Go here to getaway, especially when you need to be able to quickly get back, nawmean? read more

I absolutely love this place. It is a place, if I may, of quiet contradiction. You head into the city, you turn right, park get out and wow, countryside, river, canal, bbq pits, boats, canoes, kayaks. You could be in the middle of nowhere and you 're less than a mile from Georgetown. A wonderfully harmonious discordance. We came here yesterday to ealk the dog and mooch around, The canal is pretty dry now, in parts you can walk across it, the last time we were here in late summer and rented boats. I completed an ambition I have had for over 15 years now and which until yesterday went unfulfilled. I found a smokin piece of driftwood, about 8 feet long with one end that looks almost like a set of antlers. Well, if you are drunk or on drugs it looks like a set of antlers. Got Thing 1 and Thing 2 to lug it to the car, which was a comedy of errors in itself, and now it sits on the front porch, where for the rest of the year I will drink and smoke and admire my hunting trophy. read more

Great little get away from the city! The season rental pass is also a great deal for someone like myself who can't fit a few kayaks in my tiny apartment. read more

Fletcher's Boat House - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Very beautiful and suggest you get there early. A little tricky to get into the parking area. The 2 suggestions I have for this company is 1) get walkie-talkies to communicate from the check-in hut to the docks and 2) have a separate line for the check-out. We were done and ready to leave but had to get into a long line of people filling out release forms and what not which added to our time. Fourthly they didn't charge us for the line time but seems like things could be a little smother if it was separated. Had a great time though! read more

Fletcher's Boat House - First time for my husband - Boating Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Listen up guys: This is a great date idea!!! It's cheap, its fun, its interactive and it gets you plenty of creative points. There is nothing like spending the day with your honey rowing along the Potomac shores or even renting a bike and peddling your way along the C&O Towpath into the sunset. Either way, you are going to have great scenery and a blast. One cautionary tale if you do choose to make Fletchers a date spot- make sure to alert your date that you will be going on an active date... you don't want them to show up in inappropriate clothing. Happy rowing!! read more

Coming here with the boy has proven one thing...I'm not a very good team player and I have no sense of direction. Instead of grabbing two kayaks I thought it would be "fun" to get a double. The boy in the front and me in the back. I tried to paddle the same time as the boy and steer but I think my right side got more push than my left. We ended up going in circles for about half an hour :p in the end I was banned from rowing and just to steer. Minus the shenanigans this place is great fun for couples or just a mini adventure away from the jungle city but I recommend getting two separate kayaks to prevent drama. Unlike Thompson's boat house this part of the river is more secluded and doesn't really show signs of a city too near by. The staff here are really friendly but be sure to keep track of time they will charge you for overtime (although both times I came they gave us an extra 15 or so minutes for us to get ready to set sail). read more

I've been here twice before, both times to rent a bike to bike on their trail. The first time I went was probably a 2-3 years ago and they actually rented out mountain bikes. It was a fun ride with my buds. Seeing as how I had a great time, I decided to go back there with my girlfriend this time, only to find out they no longer have mountain bikes for rent. They only have these one speed retro-looking bikes. I guess that was fine until the chain on my bike decided to bust out when I was going uphill on a ramp. After finagling with it for awhile, I managed to get it back on and was able to go on for a little bit more. Then there's another uphill ramp, and low and behold, it comes undone yet again. At this point, I was like dude.. WTF? The problem with one speed bikes is that once the chain becomes undone, you can't pedal but the worst thing is, that you can't BRAKE! It's quite dangerous because there are no brake handles as it relies on the biker to actually step on the pedals backwards to apply the brake. The chains became undone several more times after that on flat ground and I basically had it. I ended up walking the bike back to the shop and asked for my money back which they were nice enough to credit back both rentals. I still like this place because I think the trail is nice and if the chain didn't break on me, it would've been a great bike ride. The people over there were also helpful and understanding. They also have kayaks for rent so it's not just bike renting. You should check it out, but just be careful with the bikes. read more

I think it's pretty incredible that one can kayak on the Potomac River. So naturally, I had to try it before the kayaking ends this month and doesn't resume until next April. Fletcher's is kind of hidden. As you're driving down Canal Road, you want to veer towards your left at a fork and drive down the ramp towards a small dock. The boat house is over a bridge and across a creek. We got there at about 4:45pm, which left us with not much time to kayak. Kayaks must be in by 6pm. Luckily, the guy helping us didn't charge us for the extra 15 minutes-- that was very generous of him. Took us about 5 minutes to get us situated into the kayak and off we went. Unlike Thompson's or Jack's, this location is further upstream so it's a bit more country. No views of Georgetown or the Capitol. Just nature: mallards, a stork, and deer. Beautiful weather. Slight breeze. No glaring sun. Perfect kayaking weather. And, the lady and I both had an amazing time. All in all, this is a great activity to do. Can't wait to do this next Spring! read more

I have been coming here to go kayaking for several years now. We have always had good service and been pleased. I like the location and the fact that you can rent a kayak, canoe, row boat (the cheapest) or a bicycle. I have not had any problems or seen anyone be rude. We went yesterday and everything was kosher! read more

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This is a lovely place to paddle-board/canoe/kayak. All those options are available for rent. It is kind of tricky to get to if you're driving. If you are really adventurous, you can get here by jogging or biking on the Capital Crescent Trail. This place is less crowded than nearby Key Bridge Boathouse that is in Georgetown. Lovely outdoor activity for all ages in the warmer DC days. I have heard that prices have dramatically increased this year. read more

staff are very friendly. they made it easy and it was not crowded at all. they also have a lot of options on what u can use(kayaks, canoes, etc.) read more

If you're looking for someone to help you sort out your fishing gear, ask for Campo Ca read more

As noted, Fletcher's is not easy to find. But, once you can locate it, everything is easy and fun! Here, you can rent kayaks and canoes. We rented a double kayak for a very reasonable rate of $17/hour. The weather was absolutely fantastic for this experience, so I was very thankful. They close at 6 P.M., so from experience, I'd suggest getting there by 3 P.M. at the latest if you want to take your time. There isn't too much to see and that's why I would recommend Thompson's, which I believe would give you a Georgetown view. Regardless, I had a fantastic time. I would recommend bringing a change of clothes. I did not and regretted it, but luckily, I did dry off in time for dinner in the city. I can't wait to do this again. read more

You can rent different types of boats (kayaks, canoes, row boats) and bikes, by the hour or for the day. All in pretty good condition though the life vests haven't been washed in a while. People are friendly and laid back. Please be aware that no one will show you how to paddle. I went with someone who never canoed before and no one would even check which paddle she should choose. You're pretty much on your own. Bring some cash to tip the guys who help you onto the boat. There's a picnic area and some grills. Free parking is awesome! read more

Great activity spot in Washington DC. The staff is very competent, laid back, and attentive. The price is reasonable, and the equipment provided is great. The only issue is the entrance driveway, which is in an akward spot of the main road, and makes it a pain to drive there (while avoiding speeding cars). read more

Fletcher's Cove Boathouse staff are unsafe and unprepared for emergencies. There should be a protocol in place for kayakers/paddlers in distress. When I called--lost and in distress on the water--their number goes to a call center as the company Boating in DC has multiple locations. I was transferred to Fletcher's Boathouse. The line rang and rang then I got the error message "the person you are trying to reach has a voicemail box that is not set up yet." This happened twice. When I finally got someone on the phone, I was told they would send someone out and they would also call me back. Meanwhile I am still lost and in distress. I managed to find the dock on my own after 30 minutes--no call back and no one came to help. Please update your protocol for faster response. The number on the sticker on the kayak needs to be a direct line to a person at the dock where the kayak was rented. And emergency response needs to be faster. When customers bring issues to your attention, we are not looking for excuses. Corrective and immediate action needs to be taken. Train your staff and update your protocols. read more

Renting the row boat fishing was a lot of fun but rowing it was not easy if you haven't done it before :) we caught a lot of blue catfish and small bass on this trip. The bass were all too small but the catfish offered a lot of fighting fun on light tackle with 8-10 pounds line. The driveway from Canal Rd is very narrow, be careful, only one car at a time. read more

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Fletcher's Boat House is like a life long friend. When I was young a great date was renting a canoe and paddling down the canal to Georgetown or on the Potomac to go swimming off the the Three Sister Islands. More recently I enjoyed renting kayaks to paddle up the Potomac to Chain Bridge. With guidance from the knowledgeable staff, I learned enough to buy fishing rods and took my son fishing from the banks of the Potomac. So many wonderful memories. read more

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