Canoe Kentucky, the Bluegrass States Premier Paddlesports Shop, is open and ready to get YOU on the water. Located in two locations in Frankfort, Kentucky, Canoe Kentucky has been satisfying paddlers needs for 39 plus years.
The flagship store is located on the banks of the Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky’s most popular paddling stream. With Class 1 and 2 moving water, it is the perfect waterway for beginners, novices and advanced paddlers. The Elkhorn also boasts as being one of the top smallmouth bass fishing streams in the southeast.
Canoe Kentucky can get folks on the creek through their outfitter business, the largest in the state of Kentucky. Rentals on the creek are offered in canoes, kayaks and tandem kayaks, as well as family rafts.
For those that are already an enthusiast of paddling, or those looking at stepping up into their own craft, the Canoe Kentucky shop is the place to go, carrying kayaks from Jackson Kayak, Native Watercraft, NuCanoe, Hurricane Kayaks, Liquid Logic Kayaks, and Bonafide Kayaks, as well as canoes from Wenonah Canoes and Stand Up Paddleboards from Bic, SOL and NRS. And every accessory need can be met as a wide selection of paddling gear is plentiful, from paddles to pfd’s, and from fishing accessories to whitewater must haves.
The Kentucky River location, located in Riverview Park in downtown Frankfort, is the base of operations for numerous guided and unguided offerings. It is a great place to flat water kayak for the first time, or maybe try out a stand up paddleboard. The Kentucky River, being dammed up, is a very flat paddling experience, very similar to being on a lake. And you can paddle right into downtown, stop and have a bite to eat at a riverside restaurant, then continue n your way.
Rick’s White Light Cajun Diner 
River View
Numerous guided trips are offered out of the Kentucky River location as well. The most popular guided trip is one that captures to boom of the bourbon industry, and that is the “Buffalo Trace Bourbon Paddle Tour.” This trip is offered in partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery, located directly on the Kentucky River banks. The trip is a four to five hour experience which includes paddling through an operation lock and dam, one that has operated since 1840, taking out at the distillery where you are served lunch and a private, behind the scenes tour of the operational distillery, a complimentary tasting followed by a return paddle trip to the starting location, again, through the operational lock chamber. These trips are offered every other Sunday through the fall, and they do have limited availability, so early reservations are recommended.
Canoe Kentucky attests its long career in paddlesports to its fundamental principle of offering the safest ad most customer service friendly experience possible. Offerings like free “Try Before You Buy” demos 7 days a week, instructional classes from flat water to advanced whitewater paddling, and free lifetime shuttle service with all new boat purchases, help make customers feel more like family. And the expert staff and team is second to none, with enthusiasts in all paddlesports disciplines on staff, and numerous certifications from the American Canoe Association, American Camp Association, Wilderness Medical Associates, NOLS, WEA and more, prove that they take their outdoor lives and jobs very seriously.
Canoe Kentucky is not just rental and retail sales, but they also run the largest and most successfully outdoor camp in the state. Serving over 250 youth most years, camps are offered from 5-day traditional day camps, to overnight paddling experiences and fishing specific camps. These camps travel all over the Bluegrass region and the state of Kentucky to immerse kids in the wonders of the state. And Canoe Kentucky’s outreach goes to more than just the young, as programs are offered like Kentucky River Jam, Canoe Kentucky’s community led music and craft festival offered once a month, adult outdoor education workshops offered every two weeks and guided partnership trips with local businesses, like local breweries Sig Luscher, West Sixth and Goodwood.
Canoe Kentucky is open seven days a week. Reservations for all rental trips are required, as well as for guided tours. Hours during the week are 9 to 5 at the Elkhorn Creek locations, and 8 to 7 on weekends and holidays. The Kentucky River location is open by reservation only.
Canoe Kentucky can be reached numerous different ways: on Facebook and Instagram at @canoeky; online at www.canoeky.com; by phone at 888 CANOE KY or 502 227 4492; and by email at [email protected]
The staff and team at Canoe Kentucky want to welcome you out to the great paddling and outdoor opportunities we have in central Kentucky. If they can help make all your outdoor wishes, dreams and experiences become reality, they will do that in any way possible! Don’t believe it… just ask!
