Top picks · RIVER KAYAK TOURS IN THE USA

Top 15 River Kayak Tours in the USA

24 tours  ·  from $29 a head

Most trips have room for one morning on the water. These 15 river kayak tours in the USA justify it, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back to packing a dry bag.

Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip - The safety briefing before launch
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Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

1.Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,395 reviews · from $57Our pick

Launch from Saguaro Lake Ranch on a single sit-on-top kayak or paddleboard, then float about two hours down the Salt River to Foxtail. Expect desert scenery, birds, possible wild horses, and a few swift sections where you may get wet. No guide accompanies you, but a group safety briefing comes first.

“Awesome tour, they give great instructions. It’s nice that you don’t have a guided tour so you can go at your own pace. Beautiful scenery and we saw a couple wild horses. This is our second trip with the ranch in 3 years. We would definitely do it again!”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - November to March: the best window for manatees
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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

2.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Launch from Kings Bay Park for a two-hour small-group clear kayak tour with an English-speaking guide such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, or Cami. From April 1 to November 14, paddle to Three Sisters Springs and swim. From November 15 to March 31, focus on manatees in warm spring water, with no need to get in.

“Dmitri our guide was phenomenal! Despite the super cold weather, and limited sun, we still saw manatees! He was very knowlegable about the area, manatees and we learned so much while having a lot of fun! Highly recommend!”

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Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure - The Secret Falls trail is the demanding part
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Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure

3.Wailua River & Waterfalls Kayak Tour: Expert-Guided Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 790 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $145

Paddle a tandem kayak two miles each way on Kauai’s Wailua River, then hike through rainforest, four stream crossings, mud, and loose rock to 110-foot Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Thomas, Sierra, Ty, and Kay share local stories, plant knowledge, and practical trail help. Lunch, water, kayaks, paddles, back rests, and dry bags are included.

“Amazing views of the Wailua canyon and breathtaking experience of the waterfall. Be prepared for an adventurous hike! Wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty as the trail was very muddy. Such a fun experience and our tour guide, Sierra, was absolutely amazing!”

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Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch - The Wailua River paddle and its quiet rewards
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Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch

4.Wailua River Kayak and Sacred Falls Guided Hike with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 783 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $155

Pair a gentle tandem kayak trip on the Wailua River with a guided rainforest hike to a waterfall and natural pool. Guides such as Annie, Harrison, Lindsey, Anya, and Jay lead small groups of up to 12, provide walking sticks and dry bags, and serve lunch by the falls. Expect wet shoes, mud, rocks, and a moderate workout.

“My husband and I had a great time. Lindsey was an awesome tour guide. The trek was worth it, though I would say wear hiking sandles or some other sturdy shoe you can walk through water in. The tour company was great with the food and able to accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free dietary needs. Do bring a good size water container - you'll want it!”

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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River - Why the guides matter more than the boat
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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

5.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Paddle Crystal River in a stable, tandem clear kayak with a guide such as Jess, Kyle, RJ, or Cypress. The two-hour tour may reveal manatees, turtles, dolphins, otters, fish, and birds beneath your boat. Equipment is included, but plan for parking, launch fees, moderate paddling, and changing water clarity.

“It was a beautiful day and the experience was priceless. Our guide was very friendly and we got a few great photos from him.”

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Kayak Tour on the Verde River - Check-In in Cottonwood
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Kayak Tour on the Verde River

6.Kayak Tour on the Verde River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 591 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Meet in Cottonwood for a guided 3.1-mile paddle on the Verde River. You’ll learn the basics, ride Class I and II rapids, and choose a single or tandem high-water inflatable kayak. Guides such as Ken, Walt, Blaine, and Maverick add river knowledge, safety tips, and plenty of good humor.

“The guides were excellent. Gave instructions as needed, historical and environmental information and provided lots of encouragement.”

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Small-Group Emerald Cave Kayak Tour on Colorado River - Paddling the Colorado River through Black Canyon
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Small-Group Emerald Cave Kayak Tour on Colorado River

7.Small-Group Emerald Cave Kayak Tour on Colorado River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 516 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $110

Paddle calm Colorado River water from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave with a maximum of 10 people. Guides Blair, EJ, and Christine keep the pace friendly and safe, adding local history, wildlife spotting, swim breaks, snacks, and water. Hotel pickup is available, making this a fine half-day escape from the Las Vegas Strip.

“We spent a most amazing day kayaking the Colorado and visiting the Emerald Cave with VENTURE OUT VEGAS. Blair, our guide, was funny, shared much of the history of the area with us, and quickly became a part of our family. He made sure our experience was safe, fun, and left us with many great memories. Thank you for a wonderful day!”

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Small Group Guided Colorado River & Emerald Cave Kayak Tour - Paddling the first two miles upriver
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Small Group Guided Colorado River & Emerald Cave Kayak Tour

8.Small Group Guided Colorado River & Emerald Cave Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 500 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Drive to Willow Beach Marina for a 3.5-hour guided kayak trip with Brett or Griffin. Paddle four miles along the Colorado River, stop at Emerald Cove, swim in clear water, and watch for desert wildlife. Kayaks and life jackets are supplied. You need your own car, and the park entry fee is extra.

“Every year we plan a trip to laughlin with about 20 fam&friends. I booked us the 3hr cayaking tour. My husband was hesitant to do this but now can't stop talking w/family/ friends how much fun we had. Our tour guide Griff was excellent , both Griff & Bret very attentive with everyone in our group. It's great that you can bring snacks , camera 📷 to capture great moments. We will be doing this again next time with all our 20 members of our group, this will be epic :) thank you again .”

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Chassahowitzka River Clear Kayak Springs & Manatee Tours - Wildlife: Manatees, Alligators, Birds, and Fish
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Chassahowitzka River Clear Kayak Springs & Manatee Tours

9.Chassahowitzka River Clear Kayak Springs & Manatee Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Paddle a tandem clear kayak through the Chassahowitzka River system near Crystal River. You’ll visit Seven Sisters Springs, look for manatees, birds, fish, and alligators, and may reach Baird Creek or the Crack, depending on weather, water, crowds, and group ability. Guides such as Shaggy, Hunter, Izzy, and James add local insight.

“Isabel was an amazing guide! She was super friendly and told us what to expect. We stopped to see an alligator family and made sure we had breaks when we needed them.”

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Las Vegas: Colorado River to Emerald Cave Half-Day Kayak - From MGM Grand to Willow Beach
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Las Vegas: Colorado River to Emerald Cave Half-Day Kayak

10.Las Vegas: Colorado River to Emerald Cave Half-Day Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 241 reviews · 4 hours · from $119

Paddle from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave with guides such as Don, Paul, Isaac, and Johnny. Expect calm river water, cold swimming spots, desert wildlife, snacks, photos, and hotel-area shuttle service. The guided paddle lasts about 3.5 hours, but pickup to drop-off can take most of a day.

“Great experience! half day worth spent note pickup is MGM GRAND RIDESHARE (please update listing from mandalay bay address)”

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Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour and River Raft or Emerald Cave Kayak - The river float from Hoover Dam to Willow Beach
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Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour and River Raft or Emerald Cave Kayak

11.Grand Canyon Helicopter Tour and River Raft or Emerald Cave Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 241 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $699

Spend about 11 hours combining a 90-minute helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon West Rim with either a motorized Colorado River float or a four-mile kayak trip to Emerald Cave. Hotel transfers, water, and a boxed lunch are included with the float option. Expect small-aircraft seating and a full day outdoors.

“Awesome! Would do it again! The staff was well trained and I felt safe taking my grandsons on the Helicopter! My Son- In - Law said it was a well made Helicopter! He knows about planes and things!”

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Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co. - Rainbow Bridge and the private launch
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Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

12.Haleiwa River Paddle Board Rental with Blue Planet Adventure Co.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39

Rent a stand-up paddleboard or single kayak from Blue Planet Adventure Co. beside Haleiwa’s Rainbow Bridge. You get two hours on the Anahulu River and Haleiwa Bay, with optional instruction, life jackets, paddles, and leashes. Staff members including Julie, Elena, Cree, Max, and Tyler have helped beginners get started.

“Had a great experience. We (my kids and me) weren’t sure we could master the paddle boards, but we did! It was a nice low key paddle down the river and back even though we got caught in a passing downpour. Going out into the bay was a bit trickier with the waves from the ocean/boats. The girl (didn’t get her name) at the launch/dock was awesome! Great at getting us set up and launched twice.”

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Clear Kayak Three Sisters Springs & Manatee Tour Of Crystal River - Paddling from Pete’s Pier into Crystal River
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Clear Kayak Three Sisters Springs & Manatee Tour Of Crystal River

13.Clear Kayak Three Sisters Springs & Manatee Tour Of Crystal River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 197 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Paddle an all-clear tandem kayak from Pete’s Pier to Three Sisters Springs with a local guide such as Jax, Kyle, Monica, or Cypress. You may see manatees, turtles, birds, tarpon, dolphins, fish, or even an alligator. The tour lasts about two hours, does not allow swimming, and is best during cooler months for manatee sightings.

“I understood it was not prime manatee season, and opted to go anyway. Glad I did. Read about the season dates and be informed before you schedule your trip. Off season you can go into the springs and check them out, they’re amazing. In manatee season, you cannot actually go into the springs. Our guide Jax was wonderful. She would find us different wildlife to look at and explain things well and answer any questions. I loved seeing the clear springs and different fish and crabs in them. The beauty of the springs itself was amazing!! Even though it was off season, we did see a manatee and her calf…”

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Crystal River: Three Sisters Springs Eco Tour by Clear Kayak - Starting at Pete’s Pier Marina
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Crystal River: Three Sisters Springs Eco Tour by Clear Kayak

14.Crystal River: Three Sisters Springs Eco Tour by Clear Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · 2 hours · from $84

Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Pete’s Pier Marina with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than 10. From November 15 to March 31, focus on manatees in Crystal River. From April 1 to November 14, visit Three Sisters Springs, where manatees may still appear. Expect wildlife, clear water, and a little paddling work.

“Our guide, RJ, was fantastic! He was funny, personable, very knowledgeable, and just an overall great guy! We were able to see so many manatees up close on his tour! We were not rushed at all. We had plenty of time to enjoy our tour on the water.”

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Crystal River: Kayak Rental - Choosing two hours or a longer rental
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Crystal River: Kayak Rental

15.Crystal River: Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 148 reviews · 2 - 8 hours · from $40

Rent a single or tandem kayak from Paddles Outdoor Rentals and follow the map from Pete’s Pier Marina toward King’s Bay, Crystal River, and Three Sisters Springs. Choose 2 to 8 hours, watch the required wildlife video, and look for manatees, dolphins, turtles, fish, and birds without being tied to a guided group.

“Loved this. We saw lots of manatees, as well as rays and turtles. We did 2 hours. If you wanted to spend more time around three sisters spring just chilling you could do an extra hour! But 2 hours was enough for us to see everything we wanted to!”

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New in River Kayak Tours in the USA

★ 5.0From Las Vegas: Kayak Rental to Emerald Cave Colorado RiverFrom $9910 reviews
★ 3.9Crystal River: Paddle Board RentalFrom $368 reviews
★ 4.2Chicago: Moonlight Paddle Tour on the Chicago RiverFrom $589 reviews

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