Explore Nature with Canoe, kayak, and raft rentals in Ohio

DUE TO INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS WE CANNOT ALLOW DOGS. WE ALSO CANNOT TRANSPORT PRIVATELY OWNED WATERCRAFT.

RiversEdge Canoe and Kayak Outfitters offers an unforgettable outdoor adventure with canoe rentals, kayak rentals, and river raft rentals in Ohio. Located 3928 US 42, between Bellbrook and Waynesville, we are an hour or less of drive from Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. 

For over three decades, since 1984, our experienced canoeing and kayaking crews have been dedicated to providing you with a fun, safe, and memorable day on the tranquil waters of the Little Miami River. We treat every customer like family, ensuring a personalized experience that has garnered us countless positive reviews from satisfied adventurers.

Check out our exclusive trip rates and rentals below:

waynesville ohio rivers edge outfitters location image 2a
Blue Jacket's Best

Blue Jacket's Best

Our shortest and most popular trip is Blue Jacket’s Best. This trip covers about 3.5 miles of the Little Miami River, and takes between 90 minutes and three hours to complete.

Experience Level: Perfect for Beginners and those who are looking to fit their adventure into a nice afternoon day trip.

Dates and Times: Departs every hour from 10am to 4pm.

Ideal Watercrafts: Raft, Canoe, and Kayak Rentals. View Our Watercraft Rental Rates Here.

Learn More

Trip Pricing

Mondays - Fridays
$40/person*

Weekends & Holidays
$45/person*

*Reservations are REQUIRED. Pricing includes all necessary equipment rentals and transportation to your starting point.

Waiver Form:
Before going on a trip with RiversEdge Outfitters, every guest must sign a waiver form. Children must have their parents sign one for them. You can get a waiver form during the online checkout process, HERE.

Refund Policy:
Refunds require a 24 hour in advance notice.

Reservations are REQUIRED
Refunds require a 24 hour in advance notice

Kenton's Run

Kenton's Run

For those who are looking to see even more of the Little Miami River, Kenton’s Run is a 9-mile trip that takes about 3 to 5 hours to complete.

Experience Level: Mid-Level to Experienced. While Kenton’s Run isn’t much more difficult in terms of the features of the river itself (it’s still relatively calm and shallow), it is a longer trip, so make sure you’re prepared for a big day!

Dates and Times: Departs at 10am and 11am.

Ideal Watercrafts: Single Seated Kayaks Only. View Our Watercraft Rental Rates Here.

Learn More

Trip Pricing

Mondays - Fridays
$50/person*

Weekends & Holidays
$55/person*

*Reservations are REQUIRED. Pricing includes all necessary equipment rentals and transportation to your starting point.

Waiver Form:
Before going on a trip with RiversEdge Outfitters, every guest must sign a waiver form. Children must have their parents sign one for them. You can get a waiver form during the online checkout process, HERE.

Refund Policy:
Refunds require a 24 hour in advance notice.

Reservations are REQUIRED
Refunds require a 24 hour in advance notice

Your Fun Is Our Priority

We’re all about making sure you have a really fun time when you book a trip at RiversEdge Outfitters. Our trained and professional staff makes sure all of our equipment is maintained and that our facilities are clean which is why people from Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati continue to come back to RiversEdge year after year.

If you’re not familiar with the difference between these types of watercraft, here’s a quick breakdown.

pexels brooke lewis 3510098 2 (1)

KAYAK RENTALS

Kayak rentals are single-seat watercraft that have a sit on top and are easy for paddlers to climb into. Paddlers have a double-bladed paddle to navigate on both sides. These are usually for people who want to be individually in control of their own watercraft, though we do offer tandem kayaks as well. Some people consider kayak rentals easier to steer than canoe rentals, but that’s your choice to make!

KAYAK DESCRIPTION

RiversEdge offers sit-on-top recreational kayaks that are ideal for beginners and warm weather paddling. These kayaks are wide and stable, making them difficult to tip over, with an open cockpit design that allows easy entry and exit from the kayak. The sit-on-top style features a built-in backrest and footrests for comfort. The sit-on-top design is user-friendly for first-time paddlers and offers the ability to easily slide in and out of the kayak for swimming off the deck.

CANOE RENTALS

Canoe rentals are an open-top watercraft that typically have seating for two or sometimes more people. For a typical two-seat canoe rental, each paddler will have a single-bladed paddle to propel on one side at a time, in coordination with the other paddler. Canoe rentals are unavailable on our 9 mile Kenton’s Run trip.

chris montgomery scjDOJDp nA unsplash 2 (1)

CANOEING DESCRIPTION

RiversEdge canoes are designed for two people. We do offer special canoes with a third seat in the middle. Our canoes comfortably accommodate two moderate-weight adults, with a combined weight not exceeding 500 pounds. Alternatively, it’s suitable for one or two children to sit in the middle seat with two adults.

vince fleming bb2iXgjGpVg unsplash 2 (1)

RAFT RENTALS

Raft rentals are great for family outings, as they are easier to maneuver and have more seating. Kayak and canoe rentals are more designed for speed, so raft rentals will typically result in a slightly longer, more leisurely float down the river. Raft rentals are unavailable on our 9-mile Kenton’s Run trip.

RAFTING DESCRIPTION

RiversEdge offers raft rentals that are perfect for family outings and leisurely river adventures. Their rafts are specifically designed for a more relaxed and scenic float down the river, rather than focusing on speed like kayaks and canoes. The spacious rafts can comfortably accommodate larger groups, making them an ideal choice for families or friend groups looking to spend quality time together on the water.

ADDITIONAL FAQs

Don’t see the answer to your question? Visit our FAQs page for more details about RiversEdge Outfitters.

Due to insurance restrictions we cannot allow dogs on our property at RiversEdge.
  • Use of high quality canoes or kayaks, paddles and life jackets
  • Transportation to your starting point, so you can float back to your vehicle and not wait to get picked up after trip
  • Free use of picnic areas
  • The most remote and scenic section of the Little Miami River
  • RiversEdge Outfitters adjoins the 800 acre Spring Valley Wildlife Area
We highly discourage the consumption of alcohol on the river, and you need to know that you can be ticketed on any river in Ohio for an open container violation. Occasionally there are Water Craft Officers on the river that will ticket you for having an open container of alcohol. We also will refuse to rent to anyone who has rented watercraft from us previously and returned intoxicated and disorderly.
The minimum age is 3 years of age and/or 30 pounds. Our smallest life jacket will fit a child 30-50 pounds.
Yes, we accept Mastercard, Visa, and Discover. You can also make your reservation online, including making payment.
We close at 6:30 pm, our last trip is at 4:00 pm and we require that you return by the closing time of 6:30 pm. A late fee of $10.00 per boat, per half hour will be charged. Please keep in mind that our staff does this seven days a week, and would like to leave at normal closing time to spend time with their families and prepare for the next day.
You should leave all valuables in your vehicle or at home. Jewelry is highly discouraged because it can slip or come off if you enter the water and will be lost. You should have a good pair of water shoes because there is a possibility of stepping on sharp rocks while on your trip, we do have water shoes available to purchase. Coolers are okay if you want to take a lunch and have a picnic on one of the many beaches however, we ask that the cooler not be Styrofoam and be medium size to fit in most boats. Glass containers are not allowed. Car keys should not be taken on the river! We have a key rack you may leave your keys on while you are on the river.
The large raft can hold about 5-6 adults of moderate weight, a few more if some are children. The smaller raft is great for up to 4 adults or a family group of a few more with small children.
Most of our canoes are designed for two people. We do have special canoes with a third seat in the middle. This allows three moderate weight adults to comfortably fit in the same canoe – total weight of the three should not to exceed 500 pounds. The same 3rd seat canoe will work great for 1 or 2 children to sit in the middle of the canoe with 2 adults.
Most of our kayaks are designed for one person. We do have tandem kayaks that are designed for two people.
Due to insurance restrictions we are not allowed to transport privately owned watercraft on our vehicles, or allow any privately owned watercraft on the property. We cannot allow privately owned watercraft to exit at our takeout. We cannot allow the parking of any vehicles at RiversEdge that are transporting privately owned watercraft. We do want all boat owners to be able to experience to beauty of the Little Miami River by accessing the river at the many public access points. Just 1/3 of a mile above RiversEdge is a public access with a concrete boat ramp, and great parking. This is the access that you should use to float our section of river. It is the Spring Valley Wildlife Area river access located on Roxanna Road, just off of Route 42.
Yes, reservations are required because they allow us to limit the number of people on a give hour and offer the best service possible.
Every time that you float with RiversEdge you are helping conserve the Little Miami River! We donate $1 for each boat rented to the Little Miami Conservancy!

With 2 paying adults in a canoe or a small raft, children under 12 are no cost. Canoes, tandem kayaks and small raft all require 2 paid persons. A large raft requires 3 paid persons, and then children under 12 are no cost.

Why Choose RiversEdge Outfitters for your next Outdoor Activity?

Asset 4

Convenient and
Secluded

We are located on one of the most secluded bends of the Little Miami State and Nationally designated Scenic River, and strictly limit reservations to ensure everyone has a great experience. This is real unspoiled nature close to Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati!

Asset 1

35 Years on the Little Miami River

There’s no substitute for 3 decades of experience. This is our river, we love it, and we want to share it with you by being your destination for an awesome field trip in central Ohio!

Asset 3

Clean Facilities and High-Quality Equipment

Safety and cleanliness are our #1 concern. All of our equipment is safety tested and made from high-quality materials, and our scenic facilities are kept to the highest standards. This isn’t your typical campground outfitters.

COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATION

We donate $1 for each boat rented to the Little Miami Conservancy. Float with RiversEdge and help conserve the Little Miami river!

Great Reviews

We treat every customer like family! We’ve got 3 decades of reviews to prove it!

One of the Best Day Trips in Ohio

One of the best things about our special place along the Little Miami River is that it gives you a perfect little piece of secluded natural beauty, but it’s still a quick and easy trip from the city! So whether you’re thinking about kayaking in Dayton, canoeing in Cincinnati, or river rafting in Columbus, Ohio, a day trip of an hour or less is all that separates you and an amazing time at RiversEdge! Are you ready to take a trip back in time and discover the wild nature of the Little Miami River? Despite being so conveniently located, we are on the least crowded sections of this unspoiled national treasure, so you can discover nature’s wild wonders the way she intended and be home in time for a restful sleep in your own bed.

No Experience Necessary!

You don’t have to be a paddeling gold medalist to take your excursion in paradise. Pack a lunch, pack the kids, and drive to our facilities even if you’ve never been on the river before! We’ve got a safe, fun, and exciting excursion for boaters of ALL LEVELS.

With more than 35 years of experience, Rhett, Brandy, Sarah and Kate are committed to offering clean facilities, the best and safest equipment, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to groups looking for raft, kayak, and canoe rentals near Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

No Hassle, All Fun!

We want you to have a great time, whether you’re coming for river rafting from Columbus or from Cincinnati for kayak rentals. But how we make your trip easy is more than just being conveniently located.

We also take care of your equipment and logistics concerns – all you have to bring is yourself, maybe a lunch, and your sense of adventure!

We’ll outfit and shuttle you upriver where you’ll float lazily downstream right back to our facilities. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

If that sounds like the perfect trip to you, then you’re just like us! Come hang out for the day and see why we are the number one choice for canoe and kayak rental in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati!

Day Trips on the Little Miami River for All People and Occasions

Our experience has taught us that people of all skill levels deserve a day of fun! That’s why we offer everything from leisurely 1-2 hour floats downstream to 3-5 hour excursions for more advanced boaters. Whether you’re looking for a great family outing in Ohio or some corporate outing ideas in Columbus, we will deliver for you and your group with the best canoeing and kayak trips in Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati! If you’re looking for adventurous things to do in Ohio, RiversEdge has fun, safe, and affordable trips in paradise for the whole family, and you can be back home in your bed by evening! Just be prepared to be exhausted from a day of excitement in paradise. Reserve your tour today and remember to ask about our canoe rental pricing!

Contact Us

Address

3928 US 42, Waynesville, OH, 45068 (Search for RiversEdge in your GPS, do not use numerical address. We are NORTH of Waynesville)

Hours

Mon - Fri: 8 AM-4PM
Sat - Sun: 8 AM-4PM

Phone Number

937-903-6468

Facebook

7K Followers

Would you like to subscribe to our email newsletter - it's free, and we mainly just send it out during the season.
What Are You Interested In?
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Book Now
Skip to content