Whether you’re into kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding, Louisville and the surrounding area is full of parks, rivers and lakes where you can get out on the water!
We’ve put together a list of spots where you can enjoy your favorite outdoor activity, from companies that provide rental equipment, to clubs that do group rowing, to access points at some of the best hidden gems in Louisville.
Take a look at some of your best options before you dip your toe in the water.
Nachand Canoe & Kayak Rentals
7001 River Road | Prospect, Kentucky
Take a scenic drive down River Road to find this hidden gem along Harrods Creek. Nachand offers 8-hour and 4-hour rentals of kayaks (single and double size), 3-person canoes, and stand-up paddle boards. Paddle upstream for shaded forest views, and downstream towards the Ohio River if you’re interested in getting a drink at places like Cunningham’s or Captain’s Quarters.Blue Moon Canoe and Kayak of Kentucky
947 W. River Road | Taylorsville, Kentucky
Take a ride down the Salt River with Blue Moon Canoe and Kayak. This outfit offers half day rentals (1-4 hours) and full day rentals (4-8 hours) for canoes that seat two, and single & tandem kayaks. There is also a shuttle service that will drop you off and pick you up when you’re done.Endless Summer Paddle And Coffee
Ohio River and Taylorsville Lake
This paddleboard centric outfit has rentals and classes for anyone interested in this relaxing watersport. The classes and rentals are offered for both the Ohio River and Taylorsville Lake area (see website for more details). And if you want to support the sport even when you’re out of the water, head to the Endless Summer Coffee Shop where Frankfort Avenue meets the river.Old Mill Canoe Rental
5 U.S. Highway 150 | Fredericksburg, Indiana
Paddle along the Blue River in an Old Mill Canoe. This canoe livery has been around for over 50 years, and according to their website, is a “a quieter, less crowded atmosphere on the river with more opportunity for peace, natural scenic beauty, and wildlife encounters all season long.” They also have a primitive campground, and reservations are required for the weekend.Louisville Community Boathouse
1325 River Road | Waterfront Park
The Louisville Community Boathouse is a hub for waterfront activities. You can store your canoe, kayak, or paddleboards there, and the boathouse also offers instructional classes and other activities throughout the year. The boathouse is also home to the Louisville Rowing Club and The River City Paddle Sport.Louisville Rowing Club
1325 River Road | Louisville Community Boathouse
Add some socializing to your water sports with the Louisville Rowing Club. The club meets at two locations (Waterfront Park and Harrods Creek), and offers adult classes during the summer. No previous rowing experience required.River City Paddle Sports
1325 River Road | Louisville Community Boathouse
The mission of River City Paddlesport is to “expand community access to all paddle sports in the Greater Louisville area through education, outreach, and competition.” While the group doesn’t have rentals, it does host a number of events including Mindful Mondays and the paddling component of the Mayor’s Hike, Bike, And Paddle. During the Mayor’s annual event, you can take your kayak or canoe through the Ohio River’s lock and dam.Canoe Kentucky
7323 Peaks Mill Road | Frankfort, Kentucky
Book a guided trip with this outfit and see all the aquatic sights Frankfort and Central Kentucky have to offer. They also offer a “Bourbon Paddle Tour” complete with a tour of Buffalo Trace Distillery, complimentary tasting, and a trip down the Kentucky River that passes through an operational lock and dam.Caveland Kayak & Canoe
856 Old Mammoth Cave Road | Cave City, Kentucky
The name says it all, Caveland offers a number of different rental options for anyone interested in paddling the area around Mammoth Cave. This means plenty of rock formations to see as you make your way from three possible locations. There is also a convenient shuttle service available after your trip.Kayak On A River
Taylorsville Lake and Long Run Park
Rent a kayak from this outfit at two different locations. During the weekends, you can find Kayak On A River at the Van Buren Boat Ramp on Taylorsville Lake. And on the weekdays you can find them at the Long Run Park Lake. They also offer reasonable group rates for those looking to get boats for groups of 2-4, 5-8, and 9-12.Cave Country Canoes
Milltown, Indiana
Deep in Indiana’s “cave country,” this outfit lets you rent a kayak or a canoe and ride down the mighty Blue River. Half day trips last 2-4 hours, full days are 5-7 hours, and two day trips include camping.Waverly Park Lake
3507 Hardwood Forest Drive
This lake is part of Jefferson Memorial Forest and is secluded at the top of a large hill. Surrounded by forest, this scenic lake is perfect for calm kayaking or paddle boarding. Not very large, but worth exploring.Deam Lake State Recreation Area
Borden, Indiana
This decent-sized lake is located north of Louisville, just past Clark County in Indiana. The lake uniquely has a sand beach that you can use to relax or put in your boat or board.McNeely Lake Park
10500 Cedar Creek Road
McNeely Lake Park is one of the largest parks in the Metro Parks system. The scenic 46-acre lake is accessible via boat ramp and has plenty of room for decently paddling.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Louisville (multiple locations)
The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a series of parks connected by the Floyd’s Fork river. This is a goldmine for paddlers, but since there are so many places to access the river, we split them up individually for the rest of the slideshow.Parklands of Floyds Fork
North Beckley Paddling Access
The North Beckley Paddling Access is the northernmost paddling access in the Parklands. Located across from the William F. Miles Lakes in the bottomland off Beckley Creek Parkway, North Beckley has its own parking area.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Creekside Paddling Access
Nearby the Gheens Foundation Lodge, the Creekside Paddling Access shares parking with the facilities in the Robert W. Rounsavall, Jr. Family Foundation Creekside Center. Visitors can use a small road for boat drop-offs.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Fisherville Paddling Access
The Fisherville Paddling Access has its own parking lot, and paddlers will need to carry their boats along a paved path for a stretch before they reach the put-in.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Cane Run Paddling Access
Located off Echo Trail Road in the Strand, this access is not visible from the banks of Floyds Fork. Turtles and birds abound along the three-mile stretch from Cane Run to Seaton Valley.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Seaton Valley Paddling Access
The Seaton Valley Paddling Access is located near the juncture of Turkey Run Parkway and Seatonville Road. Downriver from Seaton Valley, Floyds Fork splits around Mary’s Island — one of The Parklands’ conservation areas, barred to the public.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Broad Run Valley Access to Cliffside
This is the second to last access point along the Floyds Fork. The final access in Parklands is the Cliffside Paddling Access. After that, it’s nearly 20 miles to the next access point.Parklands of Floyds Fork
Cliffside Paddling Access
You’ll find this access point near the southernmost stretch of land in The Parklands, a short distance from its Bardstown Road entryway. This is the last paddling access in The Parklands and should be used only as a take-out, unless you plan to paddle upstream to Broad Run Valley. If you continue downstream, the next designated landing is nearly 20 miles away.
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