Kayaking in DC

Memorial Day weekend is upon us, marking the official start of the summer season and a sign that it’s time to get in the water again. We might forget that DC is actually a rather nautical city, surrounded by rivers and located near several large bodies of water.

One of the best views of DC is from a kayak on the Potomac. If you haven’t taken the time to kayak in our waters, now is a good time.

It is relatively cheap and simple to rent a kayak for a few hours. Here is a listing of some great local spots to rent and ride a kayak…

1. Thompson Boat Center: You’ve probably see this boat house located right off the boardwalk along the Potomac in Georgetown. It is technically located at the corner of Rock Creek Parkway and Virginia Ave. Kayaks are available for $8/hour, which is a perfect amount of time to kayak around Roosevelt Island and back. You might even get to see some deer on the Island like I did once.
2. Fletcher’s Boat House: Who knew it was possible to kayak along the C&O Canal that runs through Georgetown to Great Falls, VA? Stop by Fletcher’s Boat House at 4940 Canal Rd. to rent a kayak at $8/hour. For a true outdoor experience, ride your bike to Fletcher’s using the Capital Crescent Trail.
3. Jack’s Boathouse: Jack’s is the boat house located under the Key Bridge at 3500 K St. Prices start at $10/hour per person, but like Fletcher’s, this boat house offers BBQ areas and parking. Jack’s is now offering tours of the Potomac along Roosevelt Island for $25/person. The first tour starts this Sunday. If you’re looking for a place with more varied offerings, Jack’s is a good one.

There is a lot of great information on kayaking and hiking in the DC metro-area on TrailVoice.com. Definitely a site worth checking out!

Photo Credit: Flickr CC User runneralan2004