Top 15 River Kayak Tours in the USA

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 unguided for about two hours to Foxtail. Expect calm water, a few swift sections, desert scenery, and possible wild-horse sightings. A group safety briefing, equipment, shuttle, water, and towels are provided.

“We had a great experience it was so much fun, beautiful scenery. Take sun screen! We learned our lesson we were sunburned later…”

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2.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,948 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Cruise the Mississippi aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen for about 2.5 hours, with lively narration on New Orleans history and a guided stop at Chalmette Battlefield. Guides such as Charles, Dr. Lauren, and Dr. Tarantino have led recent departures. Lunch and drinks are available for purchase onboard.

“This was a great tour of the Mississippi River and the battleground of the Battle of New Orleans. Charles is a great storyteller and made all the information about the battle and city of New Orleans very digestible.”

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

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

Choose a scenic Three Sisters Springs trip from April 1 to November 14, with time to swim, or a manatee-season tour from November 15 to March 31. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami lead groups of up to 10 from Kings Bay Park in stable, clear-bottom kayaks.

“For some reason the people never did show up when we were there 15 minutes earlier as requested. When we called they said they did not know where the tour leader was. They did offer us a refund which I have not received as yet. However the kisosk next to them allowed us to rent a paddleboard and a kayak so we did have fun. Hope the tour guide is ok but do want the refund as we received no service thank you”

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

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

You’ll paddle a tandem kayak four miles on the Wailua River, then hike 3 miles through rainforest and four river crossings to 110-foot Secret Falls. Guides such as Thomas, Sierra, Ty, and Kay share local plant, animal, cultural, and geological knowledge. Lunch and dry bags are included.

“Great experience Thomas was an excellent guide and knew everything about the local plant life you come in contact with on the trail”

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

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

Paddle roughly 2.5 to 3 miles upstream on Kauai’s gentle Wailua River, then hike about a mile through muddy rainforest to Sacred Falls. Guides such as Annie, Harrison, Lindsey, Anya, and Jay lead small groups of up to 12, with lunch, gear, and swimming time included.

“Amazing hike in and guide was very informative and friendly with people and nature. Gave us plenty of time to see and very attentive to our safety.”

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6.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

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

Spend about two hours in a stable tandem clear kayak on Crystal River with a local guide such as Jess, Kyle, or RJ. Look beneath you for manatees and fish, while learning about Kings Bay, nearby canals, and the local ecosystem. Groups are capped at 10.

“Good guide very informative really enjoyed it. Very friendly and helpful staff. Times and equipment good.”

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7.Kayak Tour on the Verde River

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

Join guides such as Ken, Walt, Craig, or Blaine for a small-group paddle on the Verde River near Sedona. You’ll learn basic strokes, handle Class I and II rapids, float past Arizona scenery, and return by shuttle after about 2.5 hours. Tandem kayaks, safety gear, and transport are included.

“Blaine was our guide and he was amazing. He was fun, informative and made the trip worthwhile. The staff that checked us in and picked us up after the excursion were amazing as well. I would recommend this to anyone visiting the Sedona area.”

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

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

Leave the Strip for a 6.5-hour guided kayak trip from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave. Blair, EJ, or Christine leads a group of no more than 10 through Black Canyon, with calm water, canyon views, wildlife sightings, snacks, and time to swim.

“Fabulous trip with Christine and Blair. Colorado river by Kayak was an incredible experience. Would recommend as a nice wee escape from the insanity of Las Vegas!”

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9.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 paddle with Brett or Griffin from Veteran Kayaks. You’ll kayak four miles through canyon country to Emerald Cove, stop to swim, and learn about local wildlife and geology. Gear and life jackets are provided, but transport and the $25 park fee are extra.

“A perfect day! The scenery was beautiful and Brett, our tour guide, was amazing. So friendly and knowledgable. I highly recommend this tour. We will be back.”

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10.Chassahowitzka River Clear Kayak Springs & Manatee Tours

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

Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Seven Sisters Campground to Seven Sisters Springs and Baird Creek near Crystal River. Your guide may point out manatees, birds, fish, alligators, and native plants. Guides such as Shaggy, Hunter, Izzy, James, and Ryan are praised for humor and local insight.

“We knew we were a bit late for the manatees in early-March and didn't have much expectation of seeing any, so we were thrilled to encounter three of them in a quiet cove. Our guide let us linger there for about 30 minutes, while the manatees played around our kayaks. We also saw lots of birds, and one alligator (another surprise!)”

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11.Colorado River to Emerald Cave Half-Day Kayak

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

Join Oneness Adventures for a guided paddle from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave. Guides such as Paul, Isaac, Don, and Johnny provide river stories, snacks, photos, and steady support. Expect about 3.5 hours on the water, cold clear water, wildlife, swimming, and a Las Vegas shuttle.

“Had a fantastic day kayaking on the River. Paul our guide was amazing. Picked us up from our hotel, very informative about local information and what we were seeing on the river. Paul brought water, snacks and really looked after us. Can’t thank him enough. Kayaking was amazing, peaceful and calm and would highly recommend this activity”

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12.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 Grand Canyon West Rim helicopter flight with either a gentle Colorado River float or a four-mile kayak trip to Emerald Cave. Hotel transfers, water, and a boxed lunch are included with the raft option. Expect shared seating and a full day outdoors.

“Pilot was great. The staff were great. Cockpit was a little cramped especially with hefty person right next to you but once the flight took off we were all wowed. Totally worth the time and effort.”

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13.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’ll receive basic instruction on request, launch from a private dock, and paddle the Anahulu River or Haleiwa Bay at your own pace. Turtles, fish, and birds are common sights.

“Amazing spot, great people. Saw lot of turtles and very beautiful scenery. The shop owners are very easy going and accommodating”

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

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

Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Crystal River to Three Sisters Springs with a local guide such as Jax, Kyle, or Monica. Look for manatees, turtles, birds, tarpon, dolphins, and fish. The tour lasts about two hours, but swimming is not allowed.

“Jax was THE BEST!!! I took the early tour. We saw A LOT of birds, even a dolphin...yes a dolphin. I went off season so no luck with a manatee but the kayaking to Crystal River is a great workout. I could not believe how crystal clear the water was (No pun intended).”

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15.Crystal River: Kayak Rental

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

Rent a single or tandem kayak from Paddles Outdoor Rentals in Crystal River for 2 to 8 hours. After a short safety video and equipment briefing, follow the map toward King’s Bay and Three Sisters Springs while looking for manatees, turtles, rays, fish, birds, and dolphins.

“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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