Scenic River Canoe Excursions in Cincinnati
Categories
Location on the map
Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio, US
Site: http://www.scenicrivercanoe.com/
- Monday:10AM–3PM
- Tuesday:10AM–3PM
- Wednesday:10AM–3PM
- Thursday:10AM–3PM
- Friday:10AM–3PM
- Saturday:9AM–3PM
- Sunday:9AM–3PM
Such a great company, all the employees are always friendly. Did the tandum kayak! It was so easy to manipulate..
I have been kayaking here multiple times. Both trips are great. Kayaks and canoes are a little beat up, but still above average compared to other places around Cincinnati. They also sell necessities like sunglasses and water shoes at reasonable prices.
What a wonderful time! They made it so easy, too. If I lived closer I would be visiting regularly and taking it nice and slow!
The staff was super friendly as always and explained the route very well! Everyone asked how everything was at the end, said goodbye to us. Just overall very accommodating and very nice staff. Will return year after year
Great river, great fun.The check in process between signing the waiver and getting on the bus is a bit confusing if youve never been here. Otherwise we had a fantastic time!
Always a good time a scenic river!! Owner is a great guy! Supply’s a lot of summer jobs to kids in and out of highschool! Great business I’ll always support if you wanna go kayaking this is the place!
Very young staff was harassing myself and my 9y old daughter to the point that she said How Rude We still had fun even with their silly comments and mean looks from the Brewery. Been on this river over 20 years and i will never paddle that stretch again. Also, someone allowed construction on the river so in my opinion it is not scenic any longer.
This was our 4th time renting from this company, and it has always been a great experience. As much as I travel for a living I know I can book with confidence as they also have a very customer friendly cancellation/reschedule policy.
Always a good time. For the most part it is child friendly, most people who kayak or canoe have a few drinks so if you dont wont your child around alcohol at all i wouldnt suggest it. Most people contain themselves and i have never had a problem with anyone. Theres a nice pizza place you can stop at and grab a bite. Good staff at the end to help you out of the water and carry your kayak up for you.
Very pleased with the covid measures. River was a little low due to the lack of rain recently, but the Facebook page seems like a great source to time a visit if you have flexibility. We did the 6.5 route and stopped for a beer and food along the way at the brewery. Very peaceful and saw a good bit of wildlife. This could easily be a full day activity with stops on the bank along the way. Took us about four hours; Im not sure we would have wanted to go any faster (but could have easily gone slower). Will definitely be going again!
My friends and I are constantly going on the river during the summer! Scenic is organized and everyone working is friendly and helpful! The owner Ryan Merkle is the best!
Great place to go out and spend the day on the water. The young man helping launch kayaks for the 8 mile trip was very helpful.
Such a fun day with friends! The staff was very friendly and accommodating. Will definitely return many more times!
This was our first time at Scenic River. The check in was easy, the staff are polite and helpful and the river was beautiful!
I think this is the best local canoe and kayak rental. Ive gone at least once for a few summers now, although I havent had an opportunity yet in 2022.
Was a good kayak rental experience but they charged an additional 25 processing fee to do the rental reservation online which is the only way to do it, that seems awful high for a processing fee maybe just blend it in with the rental cost if you have to charge that?
We always have a great time kayaking here. Easy to book your trip online, very friendly and helpful staff!
Had a great day on the Little Miami River! We did the kayaks for 6 miles. It took us about 4.5 hours. Not too rough but enough for a little excitement. You start with a bus ride to the launch and end back at the parking/office area. They help you launch and pull your kayak back you.You can bring your own coolers and snacks. There is a spot at the back of most of the kayaks for you to store a bag or cooler.The kayaks and paddles are in good shape. Plenty of life jackets. They also have tandem kayaks and canoes.The river is great. Wide enough for groups. Pretty calm. Enough little rapids for some excitement. Good water temperature. Lots of spots to pull out and relax.
It was clean, and the river was nice! Bus ride wasn’t long. I’d go back for sure!
This was a great place to go Kayaking, the staff is friendly and there is not need for reservations for the low and mid tiers. Little busy on the weekends but overall great experience nonetheless
Great time and the staff is awesome. This is a great idea if youre looking for a group outing, or just an afternoon of kayaking. It was better than I expected. I will go back. You can use your own kayak and receive a discount or you can rent a canoe, tube or kayak.
Definitely my favorite stretch of the Little Miami and you can stop at the brewery for a beverage!
Fun ride! Just dont get stuck like i did AND lost my prescription glasses but the rapids r fun!! Definitely recommend! 😀
We had a wonderful time! We were able to make a same day reservation online and it was so easy! The bus ride is about 15-20 minutes to the start of the Mid trip which wasn’t bad. We did unfortunately get a kayak that had a crack in it which meant my boyfriends kayak kept filling up with water and the back end would sink. We stopped at islands to empty it, which may have slowed us down a bit but we had beautiful weather and when we returned they graciously refunded the cost of his ticket! 10/10 will return again thanks to the wonderful customer service and the beautiful river scenery!
Excellent service from beginning to end. Fantastic river run with the best in business. Wouldnt go anywhere else, this is the best livery around period!!!
Easy to book with plenty of boats, gear, and buses that make for a smooth operation and experience.
First class service from beginning to end. I have used several canoe rental services and none were this organized and friendly. We brought 2 of our own kayaks, and also rented 2. When we pulled in they told us where to park where 2 of their employees unloaded our kayaks. After a beautiful day on the river, when we approached the landing there were folks to pull us in, and then 2 more employees took our kayaks up from the river to the parking lot where I could put them back in the truck. From beginning to end this was great, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Very relaxing and good place to have fun
Such a fun trip for a girls day! The weather was perfect and the staff was super friendly.
Had a great experience on the 4th of July. The staff was friendly and our family will definitely be back!!!
When we got there they canceled our reservation. We were all very disappointed then it took a few days to get the refund . Sucked
Great experience and easy to follow procedures/directions. I like how you can make the reservation online, read the info, follow instructions, arrive, hop on a bus and we on the river with little fuss. The 8 mile Remingtons run was long (5 hours total with 45 minute brewery stop for food and a beer) and required a lot more—near constant—paddling than most folks in our group thought they had signed up for. This is not a Disney lazy river ride!
We did the mid trip, 6 miles, and it was awesome it was mine n a friends first time and they helped us get on the water. pretty stretch of river got to see a few ducks and 2 cranes on the water which was pretty awesome not to mention rope swings at a few locations and the brewery is right on route to stop in for lunch! Looking forward to our next trip for sure
Great place with easy on/off points. Plenty of boats, nice ride.I’m a frequent flyer.
I’ve gone a couple times now with my mom. We love it! We do the tandem kayak. The employees help with just about everything except paddling the kayak! No need to carry it to the river or back up when you are finished. Highly recommend them.
6 friends and I went Kayaking 11:00am-5pm 8-15-21 and loved it. We really liked the type of Kayaks they had. The staff was very helpful & helped us quickly get into the water. We are actually already planning another trip in 2 weeks, lol I am not kidding.
Its a nice stretch of the river. They charge a little to much to haul your own boats but still worth it. They where very helpful and attentive.
Favorite place to go and spend a day in the river!! Fun Rapids, and great swimming spots!
Fun little place. Easy to get to the entry point, and when you finish you are right there at the parking lot, so no need to wait for a bus. Also, right after the bridge (about 30 minutes from end) is an adorable little brewery with lots of outdoor seating. Lots of people were pulling their kayaks and canoes up on the hillside to go have a drink/bite.One of our canoes tipped over near the end and when the staff saw us stopping and fishing stuff out of the water, one of the guys came over in a kayak to make sure we were ok and to help us.
A little pricier than other liveries, but definitely a good time. This stretch of the Little Miami is gorgeous. It could stand a river clean up day, but thats not the liveries fault. People just suck. They do have a changing room on site, so thats a plus. Also convenient to check in and get squared away.
We had a great time, some of us used kayaks and others canoes. It was very affordable and we all had a great time. It had some very small rapids due to the river level which made for even more fun. Cant wait to go back.
I went here with a company outing a few weeks ago and honestly I am hooked. I had never been kayaking before and didnt know what to expect. The shorter trail is perfect for 2-3 hours of hanging out, there are plenty of areas to stop at along the river as well.The best part was that there were canoes for people too if you dont want to do a single person kayak.
A friend and I took out 9yo girls out (used 2 tandem kayaks) and had a great time! The river was gorgeous and the staff were so kind and helpful. What an amazing way to spend an afternoon with the kids!
Had a blast!!! First time visiting today and did the 6 mil kayak trip. The staff was super friendly, the equipment, bus, kayaks and PFDs were good working condition not run down. The river offers a fun and quiet trail with some small rapids and some nice places to pull off on a beach or pull off and fish. I highly reccomend SRCE and will be back.
Cost to go out on the river as definitely gone up alot over the years but this is a pretty good stretch of river. The ride to the drop off is pretty quick in one of there busses. It gets pretty hot waiting for the busses bc they dont have any cover area in the loading zone but the kayaks we got were all good and was a fun day for our group
Awesome trip on the river yesterday, June 18th. Friendly staff. Excellent equipment. Only thing I suggest is some mulch down at the spot you set off. The storm that rolled in before we set off made the mud very slippery and we wiped out several times getting down the slope into the river.
Had a great float! Scenic River easily checked us in and had us cruising the Little Miami in no time. Courteous staff and the rentals were new and in great shape. The 6 mile was perfect for the time I could dedicate to the excursion, but I will definitely be back to do the 9 mile!
Great service, really have their act together. Lots of fun.
Always a great trip. Great staff, great equipment, Awesome river. Best part of the little Miami river. Thanks Scenic River Excursions for always making it easy to get on the river and enjoy the great outdoors ❤️🛶❤️
Had a great experience with Scenic River Canoe Excursions. Super easy to make reservations online and when I needed help editing my reservation Brian took care of it! Check in is great and theyre limiting number of people in the bus to the river entry for social distancing. The river was working against us when we went and it took about 6 hours (!) for the shorter route. Overall had a great time! Would definitely recommend and will for sure be doing this again. Hopefully before the end of the season.
Easy to reserve. Professional and friendly staff. Beautiful trip down the river with fun rapids. Stopped under the Milford bridge and got a drink bite at Little Miami Brewing Co.
Lovely river adventure! Fairly beginner friendly (I am one!) They drive you up and you ride down the river back to your car. Gorgeous river, but dont forget to bring fluids!
Exercise caution. Wear your PFD (life jacket). Avoid weekends.
We had an absolutely great time on the river. The staff at the starting point were kind and efficient, the transport bus was clean with a lot of ventilation, and the exit staff were ready and waiting! 5 stars
Decent prices, easy to access/sign up, nice staff. Basic kayak and canoe rental close to Cincinnati.Check out the Little Miami Brewing Co. if you have the time to stop.
Great ride! Very simple – book a canoe, park, sign in, take bus up river, then spend the next 2+ hours flowing downstream right back to your car. The shortest excursion available is still a little much for a 6 year old, so next time well fit in a picnic mid-trip. The staff was great – knowledgeable and helpful. Thanks for a great time!
We try to come here a few times every summer! We did the 8.5 mile this time and although the river was a little low it was very enjoyable. We had a large group and were the only ones on the bus, so the driver took our song requests. Great experience overall and we definitely return next summer!
Had a great trip on 06/02/2020. Everyone working at Scenic clearly loved their job and were so happy to be back. The bus ride to the drop off location was clean and safe and the kayaks were in great condition. It was my first time every kayaking and the staff was really reassuring and helped me get going. The 8+ mile route was beautiful with plenty of places to pull off and rest. Well definitely be back!
We did the 8.4 mile kayak trip, and it was very fun but be warned, 8 miles with a weak current will take you 5-6 HOURS if you are taking breaks for lunch/swimming. My group loved that you get bussed at the beginning of the trip; being able to simply drop off your kayak and head to your car at the end is very convenient after an afternoon out in the sun. Remember to reapply sunscreen and bring extra water! Overall a great experience and a good socially distant summer activity.
Excellent experience as always. Staff was great.
We had so much fun doing the 8 mile kayak route. There was a group of 7 of us total and it was all in all, a great experience. I would personally do the shorter (6 mile) route next time, because on a hot day, 8 miles can take an eternity - but no complaints! We got through it and enjoyed the gorgeous scenery ever paddle of the way. (:
We had a great experience and the staff was nice and informative. We did the 8.5 miles run which was a blast, however, if you have not canoed or kayaked in a while, I suggest doing the shorter run! Your body will thank you later;) The river was very low as well, so we had a rocky ride at times. Overall, we had a great time and will be booking another day later this summer!
SRCE is a fairly big operation with lots of staff, canoes and kayaks. We were there on the Monday after July 4 and the place was packed. Even with an exceptionally large crowd, the staff was friendly, accommodating and efficient. Surprised to learn that SRCE no longer transports your own kayak... you have to use theirs.
Ive been going here since they were just a single shack on the river. Now they have a huge operation! Its always such a great experience. The river route is mostly clean, the restroom and changing area there are neat and clean, and the equipment is always top notch!
Wonderful time kayaking. Beautiful river. The staff was very kind and answered all our questions. Nice facilities. I like that you are dropped off at the beginning and end at the facility. The kayaks were great. Easy to find. Very chill experience. Definitely doing it again. Maybe the 6 mile next time. 8 mile was a little ambitious for a first timer kayaking :)
Well we picked about the hottest day of the year to go kayaking but thanks to Scenic River we had a blast out on the Little Miami! They set us up with everything we needed to enjoy our experience to the fullest. The staff made it fast and easy to get on the water and did a great job!
Great route, place is clean. The people who are there to help you get/collect kayaks could be a bit more proactive. We and our 4 kids weren’t sure anyone was there to help us launch. I would not say they were rude, seems more the ignorance of youth - a bit of training advice by company to help people vs watch would make this a 5-star. Would certainly go back
We had such a great day kayaking! They have it so organized that all we had to do was show up and enjoy ourselves. Everyone was very helpful and friendly. The brewery and food truck was an awesome addition to the day.
Our first canoe trip and it was an absolute blast. River was so beautiful, the staff was friendly and knowledgeable of the river. Couldn’t have asked for a better time. We will be back to kayak later in the summer. Thanks for the great time!
The staff was very friendly and the river was gorgeous. We took the 6 milentrip with our kids. Had we known in advance that The Little Miami Brewing company was a little more than half way we would have planned to stop and eat lunch. Next time I think we will leave the kids at home and have an adult time on the river and definitely make a stop there.
Absolutely impressed and will 100% recommend. Im 68 and weigh ~300lbs. I called every single livery, canoe/kayak rental place in town and not a single one had a kayak that could accommodate my weight. I explained my weight and problem finding a kayak to rent in town, to which the SRCE folks just said no problem! We can convert a tandem to a single! I was sold just on that. I cant believe no one else in town even suggested this. Until I buy my own, we (family and friends) will always launch from SRCE. Great work guys!
8/10 for the river and equipment3/10 for pandemic policy enforcementWhile the website was very clear on their distancing policies our experience was far from it. People were left to self-regulate distancing, there were no 6 guides for maintaining space from other customers. Almost no employees were wearing their bandanas as masks, just around their necks.The bus was filled at 1/2 capacity but only about 50% of riders were wearing a mask. The driver was not. There was 0 enforcement of masks anywhere.Once on the river, it was crowded but we were easily able to keep distance from other groups and have a great time. A little shallow in spots, but some fun rapids in others. Overall, a really nice section of river.If not for the pandemic, this would be somewhere Id go back to. With a little stricter commitment to taking public health during a pandemic seriously, I would recommend this place again and again.
Wonderful, quiet and relaxing. I went during the week. Due to recent rains north of us, the river was the highest Ive been on. And it was August 27th. The staff was friendly. The equipment was clean. A very relaxing time.
I did the 8.5 mile single kayak on 8/10/20. It was a lot of fun. The river was LOW which meant the rapids were really rocks that I got stuck on and had to get out of the kayak to get past. It was STILL FUN! If I knew at the beginning about the brewery, I would have done the 6 mile trip and planned a stop to eat, have a drink, and sit in the Adirondack Chairs watching the river! Its only about 20-30 minutes fro the end from the brewery. A day on the river is always better than a day not on the river.
Ive been to Scenic twice now. Both times were great. The staff is very friendly. The first time, the water was really high and the current was flowing. We were told this prior to departure which was helpful. The second time, the water was really shallow with rocks everywhere so people were getting stuck more. This is something that shouldve been mentioned beforehand. Other than that, it was an awesome experience! Theres a brewery on the water that you can stop at to eat/drink. There are also plenty of places to pull off to get in the water. Theyre fairly rocky or muddy though. There arent any sandy areas to beach off so I recommend wearing water shoes.
This was a fun family experience! We rented 2 canoes and 3 kayaks for our group of 7 and it worked out perfectly! We all got turns in the kayaks and had a blast!
Best stretch of the LM River Ive been on. Beautiful and so much fun!
Scenic River Canoe Excursions is our favorite places to canoe & kayak. The staff is very friendly & knowledgeable and the canoes and kayaks are in top shape for whichever excursion you choose. Our trip was seamless from beginning to end!! Highly recommend!!!
My ONLY complaint was that since there was three of us I had to get two tandem kayaks and pay for four people for just the three of us to go. But other than that, The whole thing was great. They are very professional, have a great streamlined checkin process. Staff was friendly, easy to deal with. Busses were running about every 15 minutes. As soon as we got to the launch point all of our boats were right at the water ready to go. directions were clear. The young men and women working the launch and take out were good at their jobs and friendly and courteous. We had a great day even though the water was pretty low and there was lots of scraping, but obviously they have no control over that. Took us longer than the allotted time, but we had a large group all together with slow paddlers and we spent time swimming and playing. It was a GREAT day! I loved that it is close to Newtown and milford!
Wonderful experience! River was beautiful and clean. Lots of little rapids along the way! A couple of waterfalls and lots of beautiful greenery.Process to reserve a place was simple and easy online. Cannot wait for my return trip!
River conditions were not at all adequate for kayaking on the day that I went. No current, and the water level was so low, I was basically pushing my kayak over rock bed for half of the 8 mile trip. Would have been nice for the company to give a heads up on that--likely would have rescheduled--but I guess theyd rather just take your money at the expense of your enjoyment.
Great experience with staff and had a great time. Water level was low but no major issues at all staff told us routes to take to not get stuck. The only complaint I have is I feel there should be one or two emergency pull offs where if your in distress or having some type of issue the bus could pick you up at a destination alone the route. I seen a woman begging ppl to help her get off the river because she had been in it all day but there was no way to get her off and get her kayak back to the company without her in it and it was almost 7pm and she was exhausted and crying in Pain. I feel some ppl dont understand how challenging a river can be on your body so I feel like the company should have check points to check on or give ppl the opportunity to get off the river. Otherwise had great experience.
We had a great time. But at the end had some trouble getting out of the river and the staff just stood there watching without helping. I was with somebody that was legally blind and we couldnt get any help. It was extremely frustrating.
We LOVE this place!!! I am so excited that summer is almost here. This place is the best, better than all the others! We will spend every weekend we have free here, during the summer. My 4 kids are able to ride solo in kayak, my youngest is 12, started riding solo last summer at 11. I find this to be pretty safe for good family fun!
First time kayaking in my life and Im hooked! Great people and great staff. Been back 2 times and going again before end of sept 2019, woohoo. Beautiful landscapes, clean, exciting mini Rapids during route, all manageable to get through. Great ride for the reasonable price.
Have a blast every time we go!!
Had a great first time experience even though the water was a bit on the low end but I would definitely do it again! The entire reservation process was super easy and accommodating. Staff were helpful and friendly. Even while taking extra precautions due to Covid, Everyone had good vibes!!
We were told when we arrived that the water was a little low which impassable would be a much better description we had to push canoe for a good portion of six mile excursion. That would be nice to know before hand. No option for a refund the day of or chance to reschedule the trip. I feel like I lost $130 for a trip that was not enjoyable to anyone
Went with a group and had a blast. My only complaint is not about the company but the water when we went was extremely shallow. Maybe attempt to plan on going when water levels are higher. None the less we met new people and had a blast, I would definitely do this again.
UPDATE: This time I organized a group of 4 families to go kayaking, and even with COVID, we were able to stay distant from the other families. Scenic River did a great job of making us all feel safe, and we were able to enjoy a normal activity and forget about COVID for just a little while!We go kayaking at least once every summer with Scenic River Canoe Excursions. We werent quite sure what to expect during COVID, but we decided to try it anyway.They did a great job of keeping all the groups socially distant, and all staff wore masks. We had to wear masks, as well, until we reached our kayaks, and each group stood waiting for the bus separate from others. They marked bus seats that we couldnt sit in to keep us apart. The canoes/kayaks were already lined up at the waters edge and ready to go.My family loved it so much that we went twice in one week! So nice to feel safe while doing something normal during this time.
Friday was my first time using Scenic Rivers rental service and WOW!First of all, this particular stretch of the Little Miami is absolutely breathtaking. I cant think of many places Id rather be than on that bit of river, enjoying the good life.In addition to the stunning landscape, this area is just teeming with wildlife! From frogs, to blue herons, to bald eagles, there is something for everyone! Not only that, but there seemed to be plenty of fish raring to be caught, so dont forget those poles!As if these things alone werent already enough, the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. I really appreciated the owner taking a personal hand in ensuring each of his guests felt welcomed and safe.I also loved that I could choose a canoe or a kayak. I chose a kayak as I wanted to try something new. We had so much fun we came back the next day for a good old fashioned canoe trip!
Awesome, scenic, and relatively inexpensive. They have 3 different options re how long of a trip you want to take. The longest takes about 8 hrs if you take your time. You can choose between a canoe or kayak. (Get the kayak) It gets pretty busy, but youll meet lots of nice, fun loving people. Theres a couple of rope swings and jump rocks on the shore, so its great for young, adventurous people. Staff is really nice and helpful!
Had a great float on the river. Staff was friendly and very helpful. Price was very competitive, especially for the time on the water. Kids are varing ages and skill levels and all had a blast. Just wish we could take some tubes on the longer trip so the kids could tube while we paddle. It didn’t stop them from floating though!Scenic views and lots of wildlife to view as you pass the time in the river.We will be back for sure!
Very respectful staff. We had a great time. Spent about 5 hours cruising down the river and we were able to stop at the Little Miami Brewing Company for a drink.
We had an awesome day on the River. Scenic was great about accommodating our large group!The Online reservation process was a little bit confusing due to Covid-19, but once we worked around that it was easy and convenient!
Great way to get away from everything. It’s the perfect time of year for some kayaking. I was curious how they would get around the COVID 19 situation. I can honestly say that I felt safe and clean thought the entire day. If you are on the fence, go for it!
The staff was helpful in figuring out the safest, most economical way for my family to spend the day on the river. We had so much fun, thought they would complain for 6 miles, but they had a blast. We came back to see people hanging out playing corn hole and volleyball. Such a fun laid back place!
Ive canoed all over Ohio. This stretch of the Little Miami is absolutely beautiful and it quickly has gone to the top of my list. I spotted 2 bald eagles along the way which was breathtaking. Along with the many little rapids that kept it interesting the whole trip, I just couldnt get enough of the beauty. I was sad to see the trip end.As for the experience off the river, I was greeted by friendly and appreciative staff from start to finish. The owner was at the forefront and very willing to help with anything. The rest of his staff was beyond pleasant and should be commended, as well. This is and was a highly recommended experience! Go see Ryan and his crew!
Great company and a great stretch of river when its not too low. The boat I had I was pleasantly surprised that It had straps and bungees whereas most other rental places do not, Im an experienced paddler and the boat was pretty tippy with little secondary support but sufficient given the application.
I love this place! Ive gone canoing/kayaking through them 3 times now. This last time, due to my own idiocy, I tipped my kayak which went floating away down the river. Glen and Quin came to the rescue! They showed up out of nowhere and right on time. I was actually considering going into a nearby restaurant (SOAKING WET) to call my mom to come pick us up, and I didnt even know where we were! They were incredibly nice. Quin gave my fiance and I his double kayak, and Glen lead us to the end (about a half hour away). They really did FAR more than expected. Tipping my kayak scared me enough to say in the moment that I would never go again, but Im currently planning another kayak trip for next week. Highly reccommend!
Great place. They were understanding when we missed our scheduled time due to traffic. Price was decent but fair. Would highly recommend.
Ive been using Scenic River Canoe since they were just a tiny little outfit on one side of Round Bottom Road. Ive always loved going there, as the staff are super nice and the trips are always so much fun! If you follow them on facebook, they give a lot of quick news and information about closings due to weather/water level and they have been great about keeping their customers informed of when and how they are opening during the pandemic. I will continue to use Scenic River (and hopefully get a season pass next year).
What a fun thing to do. Nice establishment to go kayaking and canoeing. The Little Miami Brewery is right along the float path and you can get off and go there right from the water. The river, when low, requires a bit more paddling and has a tad more bottoming out than other bodies of water, but its a great way to spend a hot summer day!
I love scenic river canoe excursions. We had such a great time drifting down the river and enjoying a few banks pitstops with friends. Great fun with your crew. Prices are good and vary depending on how long your journey is but worth every penny.
Me and my husband made a reservation online, super quick and easy, quick check in process as well. This was the first time we went kayaking ever. We had A BLAST! we went on a sunday morning, started at 9:15am and ended up finishing the route around 1pm. We will definitely be doing this again. I cant get over how much fun this was. Got some great sun and some great bonding time with my hubby. My kayak ended up taking a tip over but it really wasnt too bad, I got caught up in one of the Rapids but we laughed about it afterwards. Just a word of advice, if you have glasses find a way to secure them to your face, I surprisingly, didnt lose mine when I tipped over, but my husband lost his when he jumped in trying to get me out of the water 😂😂 other then that 10/10 I HIGHLY recommend this place for a great adventure!
Scenic River Canoe and Kayak Excursions on Round Bottom Road is a beautiful stretch of river on the Little Miami! I highly recommend this venue for all ages. Upon arrival, we found Scenic had moved their base of operations to a much larger facility right across the street, at the corner of Round Bottom and Mount Carmel Road. The new facility has a much larger check-in area, along with picnic tables, corn hole, sand volleyball court, large restrooms, etc. The venue was very busy that day, however there was a parking attendant directing traffic in the lot, huge parking area to accommodate a large crowd. Walking from the lot to the venue, we were greeted and directed to complete a waiver form, then sent to the check-in counter, then on to pick up our life jackets; there was a person who helped each find the correct size. Although it was very busy it seemed like a well-oiled operation; everything moved along quickly and seamlessly, with instruction at each step. A group of us then got on the bus which drove us to our put in point. Once on the bus, our driver pointed out where wed be pulling in off the river at the end of our day. The driver also shared kayak/canoe tips on the drive to help each have a safe and enjoyable trip. Once at our drop off, our kayak with oars was loaded into the water for us and off we went! This stretch of river is tree-lined and peppered here and there with beautiful homes up on the hillsides. We also enjoyed seeing plenty of beautiful wild life! We found the trip so enjoyable and relaxing! We had a double seat kayak which seemed brand new and even though I have back issues, was quite comfortable. We passed others on the river that had groups of canoes traveling together, pulled off to the side and enjoying a swim! We also passed a family with young children and a dog parked on the side, picnicking on a stretch of beach.Once we arrived at the end of our kayak trip, we were helped out of the kayak, crossed back over to the new venue, dropped off our life jackets and headed to our car. Great experience on the Little Miami!!
It was great, they were very informative about what to do and even when we felt unsure the shuttle driver advised us just keep going down stream which was the best advice
Loved this trip! Very simple setup for reservations, easy to find and very friendly staff. The river trip itself was great! Would definitely come back and do this again.
Beautiful, amazing staff, great equipment. Highly recommend!!!
We had so much fun with a large group of friends.
My favorite livery of the five Ive been to in the area: great prices, easy to get to, comfortable bus ride at the beginning, easy put in, easier take out! Everyone is friendly and eager to help. Its also a part of the river Id never been on and its so beautiful. My family will be back. Thank you!
My biggest complaint is the landing/exit beach. Its unfortunate that its so steep. I think theyve tried to address the issue by putting a bunch of mulch down, but it just gets everywhere and is painful to step on. It would be nice if the employees monitored when people were coming in, and helped you, but this hasnt happened once in the 3 times Ive been. Also, $20 for a transport is a little bit much.Ive transported once and rented a kayak twice. They have sit on top kayaks only. The 6 mile trip took me 2 hours (on a Wednesday morning), with plenty of time relaxing. The staff are pretty standard compared to other liveries. Its nice that its close to where I live, but I prefer other parts of the river and other liveries.
Had a great experience with scenic canoe. Took some friends and family and had a blast. Overall service was great and friendly. Moved through check in and out to the river with easy. Would recommend this place for kayaking!
Fair price. Friendly staff. My only issue was watching a friend go down numerous times and almost drowning. He was a larger man and it didnt seem like the larger kayak was set up right for him. He was uncomfortable from the start and couldnt do anything about it. He had zero back support for 6 hours.
First class operation. My son was having trouble with the kayak due to an injury so they let us switch to a canoe at the 2/5 mile marker. Very organized group and the trip was great.
Fun friendly group especially nice service from young people launching, docking and getting groups to canoes. River guides could be a little more attentive of group. Fun river fun people. Thanks
My favorite place to be every summer! The staff is friendly and very fast! What better way to spend a hot summer day than floating down the river 👌😎
I don’t usually post reviews but was blown away by what a fantastic job everyone on staff did to accommodate our large group. What a great experience start to finish!
Our church group went, and we had a great time! It really is beautiful. My wife and I took a canoe, two of our kids opted for kayaks, it was nice that we could all choose which one we wanted. We saw an eagle, herons, and other birds. We had a great time, and highly recommend this company!
Friendly staff, quality equipment, beautiful ride, and a great experience! Absolutely love doing physical outdoor activities with my sons and the fact that they willingly and happily set down the PS4 controllers to go canoeing, makes my heart happy. Weve used other local canoeing services and have found that we prefer the atmosphere that the staff create here. Its a little pricey, especially if youve got a bigger family like mine (6 + dog) but, in my opinion, its well worth it!
We took a family canoeing and kayaking trip on the river today. In our group we had ages ranging from 6 to 70. The section of the river that Scenic River Canoe runs is far more picturesque than others run by different canoe companies. The rates for canoe rental are very reasonable. The staff was friendly and helped us navigate the parking, rental, and transportation. At the end of the trip I wish they had been more helpful assisting us with oars and disembarking. There were quite a few staff standing about while we struggled with kids, oars, and equipment.
As far as kayak rentals go, I thought the prices here were very good! The service was speedy and everyone was very helpful.Only thing I would change is I think the staff should warn customers before they go on a trip to leave their phone and wallet in the car. My sister and I absent-mindedly took those things with us, accidentally flipped our kayaks and lost everything in the river. For first time kayakers, we didnt have the fore-thought to leave these things behind.Other than that we really enjoyed our trip!
SRCE is always my favorite outfitter for the cincinnati area kayaking. Beautiful stretch of river. I do wish they had a Key Valet so I didnt have to bring my car keys in the river.
Lots of fun! Definitely a work out! Whatever you do, leave ALL VAULABLES (watch, ring, necklace, wallet, phone, even keys) in your car. If you only take one car, get a water-proof pouch what you can put around your neck, securely. After being warned TWICE, my husband still brought his wallet and our car keys with him, and didnt tell our friends or me. Long story short, they were goofing off and flipped his kayak and he lost both. He didnt bring the spare key with us on our road trip and it took us FOREVER on a Sunday to find someone with a reprogrammable key fob for a push/start car. 😒 Scenic River Conoe Excursions was so nice to let us leave our car over night until we could find a locksmith to help us.
Everything was alright EXCEPT THEY DONT MANDATE MASKS FOR PEOPLE UNTIL THEY GET ON THEIR KAYAKS, that was a bit stressful as we had two people around us not wearing masks so negative points. Apart from that the staff follow COVID19 protocol no issues on that. The trip is a long one so beware of that on the plus side you will have a good upper body workout.
Extremely efficient and well run operation. Arrived mid-day on a very busy weekend with no reservation and was taken care of and on the bus to the river within 15 minutes. The trip down the river is beautiful. Plenty of beaches to take breaks at and enough little rapids to keep it interesting along the way.
This was a great time and a great value. Even with the river being low there were a lot of people and everyone was sociable and friendly. I did not experience anything besides a family friendly, enjoyable outdoor afternoon. The staff was fantastic as well.
25 $ for hours of fun also you can pick from 4 different trips. They drop you off up river and float back to your car. They usually stay open as long as the weather isnt lightning. Bring drinks food and some sun block. Enjoy the rope swings and small rock for jumping. The water is great this time of year. I cant wait to go back again! Let me know about your trip.
The staff is courteous and helpful. The river was nice, but we went tubing and that was not as fun as you think! The river does carry you....into bushes, rocks, other people! Its just hard to control because you have no paddles. You are the paddle. So if your looking to cost or relax DO NOT GO TUBING. The only reason its 4 and not 5 stars is because the shove off point is a make shift path down a hill. Imagine a walking path with a sight next to it.
Very fun and peaceful! Will definitely do this again soon! The 8.5 mile trip definitely is a full day bring plenty of fluids and sunscreen!
Great service, friendly staff. Weve rented kayaks about 7 times from here and have always had a good experience. The little Miami river is a very relaxing kayaking experience.
Always a great time to get down on the water. Plenty of places to stop along the river for a nice picnic and even a couple of rope swings. However if your looking for a more relaxed getaway dont go on weekends plan your trip during the week.
Awesome place and the conoeing was great scenery.. they also have a food cart on premises what an awesome idea!!! Very good fast food no wait...
Love this route! Always a great experience and a fun time on the river. Scenic River Canoe always have friendly staff onsite to assist with anything you need!
Scenic River Canoe Excursions is by far the best all around Livery in the Tri-State. Awesome staff, great and in shape boats, amazing stretch of the river and spectacular Owner of the entire operation. If it werent for him, you would hear Banjo music (Deliverance) all day long on the river and would have to paddle faster which would be extremely frightening. Very much impressed Scenic River Canoe Excursions!!!!!
We used this service to shuttle our own canoe up the Little Miami River. The employees of this service are some of the most friendliest people I have ever met. They were super helpful with loading and unloading our own canoe. Our driver warned us of dangers on the river that we watched other people get tied up in (we tried to warn them, but to no avail). I recommend this service to either use their equipment or bring your own. You will have a blast!!
I have a couple of kayaks, and a tandem. Where scenic river is located is hands down one of my favorite stretches of river in the area. When going with groups of friends, we always use them for transport services, highly recommend this place to those seeking more outdoors activities.
I took my whole family out last week and we had a great time from start to finish. This stretch of the river is absolutely gorgeous. I would highly recommend Scenic River Canoe to anyone looking for a fun, family outing this summer!
Excellent service from beginning to the end. The staff was wonderful I took my daughter who are 11 and 9 who had never been kayaking before and they had a blast. Will be back very soon.
Super clean bathrooms, organized check in process and beautiful view. I also love the reusable trash bags! They inspired me to clean up a whole bag of trash along the river.
Great time! We went on the Sunday before labor day and we were about to reserve a time and didnt have to wait. Great time!
Great kayaking experience.This is my second trip with Scenic River Canoe Excursions.We got rained, but we still enjoyed the experience.Highly recommend and definitely will be back!!!
The views are beautiful! I have been kayaking at one other place, but I was blown away by how clean and pretty the river was here. Will definitely come back.
Theyve got their game down, for sure. We went on a holiday weekend. TONS of people were there, but they have a good system that kept the line moving pretty quickly. Only downside was there was no water. Restrooms didnt work, and no way to clean up after being on the river all day.
Ryan: Thank you for your acknowledgment of my review. To respond to a negative review is certainly one sign of a reputable business. My views of the Little Miami River are built upon other personal experiences. It is what you have in this area and it is what it is. I do not blame people for enjoying it as they do and it is fine that folks in this area patronize and protect the river. I do understand the concern you have about potential liability for checking keys, especially with the current climate of people being untrustworthy on one side and making false accusations on the other. It is just an annoyance and concern and one that I had not experienced at other venues.Anyone reading my review should keep in mind that it is based just on my experience. Having worked as an employee at many customer oriented businesses and having operated my own business, I am ever on the alert for people who are not well suited for their jobs and who are not customer centric. I have always liked the idea of the secret shopper and with the internet now, everyone is a secret shopper who chooses to be. There is a certain customer centric attitude that is lacking in some of your employees.Another reviewer indicated that there was no assistance when getting out at the landing spot. When people have traveled and played on the river in heat and humidity, and especially when they are traveling with children, it would be very nice if they did not have to do so much self serve at the end. Taking oars and life jackets to containers on the slippery hill side would be better handled by your experienced staff who are not loading up kids and personal belongings to trudge up the hillside. Additionally, I see a problem with patrons crossing that very busy highway to get back to the parking lot. Perhaps it would be wise to assist people across with one of your staff members who is, shall we say, doing nothing else at the time. Kings Island has a crossing guard for a driveway to assist families near soak city. Your equipment is of good quality, but as you know, the people you have working for you make or break the business.Thank you for taking the time and effort to respond to my review.Roger StatonNot impressed. Lets face it, the Little Miami River is a mud puddle and it will not grow into a clean and viable river no matter what. When you go on this river with a canoe/kayak trip you need that infusion of fun and relaxation that makes you think you are on a wilderness adventure so you can forget that it is just a muddy gully. My grandkids dont mind and they have fun around any water, but as they get older they will experience true wild water fun. This particular river business just does not seem to fit. It is run too much like an assembly line. Too many people standing around being totally unhelpful, and the looks when you ask a question--dont get me started. I have patronized two other river excursion companies in the area and have felt much more comfortable and relaxed. The employees with this company need to loosen up a bit. They advise you to secure your car keys, but they are not allowed to check car keys. I dont want to be unfair, but this experience was not the best I have had on the river. Maybe my standards are just too high. They do offer old town canoes and open kayaks, but equipment does not make the adventure.Just my view point.
Very fun! The employees are nice and everything is very organized. The route is perfect for both experienced kayakers or newbies (like me!) alike!
Definitely a great day.
Located on little Miami River and is an fantastic option for group trips on the busy weekends. They bus you up river where you are given a canoe or kayak, paddle(s), and life vest. You load up and then are sent out of the river to do your thing.The river was high when my friends and I went due to heavy rain the previous week. This caused the river to be exceptionally quick. We made plenty of stops along the limited 6 mile trip and managed to squeeze 7hrs out of it. Had a blast would recommend.
Went on a canoe excursion with RRT and Little Miami Conservative in an effort to clean up the river. A wonderful time was had by all parties and I will definitely be back again.
Absolutely wonderful!! Will be coming back for sure!! Staff was so very friendly and made sure we got shuttled out to the kayaks as soon as possible! Will definitely be recommending this place to everyone I know!
Was $59 for 2 people to Kayak. Did not help us get in the water and then at the end, didn’t help us dock. I had picked up 3 beer cans out of the river and they watched me struggle trying to dock and carry my ore, shoes, life jacket, bag and the 3 beer cans out of the kayak. There were 5 people working, just watching me struggle to get out. Very rude.
Great experience! Reserved our time online, the check in process was smooth, and we were on our way to the drop off spot within 10 minutes of pulling in.
This is the best place to find scenic recreational activity in Cincinnati at an affordable price. It makes no difference what age you are. If you need help learning how to paddle these guys can help you. If youre worried about being able to carry your canoe down to the water...the staff helps get you in. They are very professional. All you have to do is show up with a good attitude, your cooler and sunscreen and you will have a wonderful day. The Little Miami is one of the prettiest rivers in all of Ohio - maybe the entire Midwest. The 6 mile stretch these guys run is by far the prettiest stretch of the river as it meanders through Miamiville, Old Milford passing under the bridge, and Terrace Park. Give it a try! You will not regret it!
Great customer service and had a great time on the river. The 8.5 mile route option just made for a really long afternoon with very shallow waters. Wish there was a 6 mile option.
Friendly and helpful staff! Owner is amazing and you tell he loves what he does. The river is so fun and well SCENIC!
1. Amazing location2. Beautiful views3. Easy on/off spots alongside to park and chill4. Brewery on the way was icing on the cake5. Only downside .. shallow water level..got stuck in rocks
If we go back. We will make sure the water level is up higher. My bf had to get out of our tandem boat because we got stuck on the rocks. Def hard on my arm and shoulders as Ive never done this before.great weather for it.
Fantastic place with great people and has been for years.Theyve gotten big so make sure you have a reservation!
Fun stretch of the river! The most expensive rental place and they didnt let us take our own kayaks because of a part of their road route was closed so i suramce wouldnt cover the transport of others kayaks. For the money I would go to a different place.
Friendly staff, great experience. This stretch of the Little Miami River is unbeatable. I love Scenic River! 10/10 experience every time!
Awesome experience! Definitely a workout and a bit challenging where the water was shallow (got stuck on several rocks). Markers along the way indicating distance left would be helpful.
Best time Ive had in awhile. Go at your own pace, as long as you return by 7 pm. Start early so you have the whole day to enjoy the outdoors!
This used to be great but now its mostly 18-20 year olds getting drunk and high and throwing their garbage into the river for people like me to fish out. Dont get me wrong, the river should be enjoyed by everyone but enjoy it safely and respecrfully. Their transport fees are getting out of hand and they seem to decide day to day if their willing to transport tubes or not which makes it not so kid friendly. A couple of their guys complained about carrying my canoe accross the street from the end point because they werent sure if I was a paid transport or not but they had no transport wrist bands to give when I chexked in. I felt like I was being called a liar when I said I paid the fee. Regardless...carry the canoe and shut up or just shut up and Ill drive over and pick it up myself! As much as this place is charging now, the LEAST they can do is carry the canoe accross that deadly curved road for me! Its getting to the point where other canoe places are looking like a better option. This place wouldnt care to lose a long time customer like me, they have their new drunk and stoned crowd now who like to trash the river with their cans, bottles and food wrappers.
Fantastic experience. We went on the 4th of July which is a super busy day and they took care of everyone walking in and they made sure we got on the river quickly. We will absolutely be back. Fantastic service!
Friendly staff, easy pre-order, fast check in, great communication via email. over all a fun trip with my son down the river on a great day!
The best stretch of the Little Miami River, and a great group of people work there! The ease of transport (either your own boat, or renting theirs) adds so much to a relaxing day on the river. Hands down, the best in the city.
Awesome place. I did the 10 mile most recently and you are supposed to set it up 24 hours in advance but the staff was really cool and accommodating. Friendly staff and good canoes.
Great outdoors experience. However parking is in the dirt so be careful when it rains. Your car can get stuck in the mud and have to call the towing service.
Scenic River has expanded operations and makes it easy to enjoy the lower end of the Little Miami River. During the covid crisis they have put additional safety measures in place, including limiting the number of people on the river, requiring reservations, and using smaller transport to keep groups isolated.
This was super fun. The water is a little rocky so be careful, but we had a really good time.
Great way to spend a Saturday morning. Everyone had their own kayak and most people wore masks, seems like they are taking appropriate actions to decrease the risk of covid.
Great time! I take my two young kids canoeing down at Scenic and we have a blast every time. Friendly staff and very easy process to get you on the river!
They were very accommodating to our requests and everyone was extremely kind. They were taking all necessary precautions and our whole group felt comfortable the entire time.
They are proud of there route and have volunteers (kids) go out and clean up the river. Very impressed they have the process down! Getting in the water was easy and getting out was just as smooth!
Great trip always good service and a good time!
Private canoe/kayak owners not welcome. If you want to put in/take out, you are not welcome. A business only for short, lower Little Miami tours. Id recommend Loveland or Morgans for private owners paying for shuttle services or coming out.
Very friendly staff got a canoe for the kids it was a great time on the water Id recommend to ppl would go to this place again if I end up going
Unable to get to the 8 miles had to settle a little bit for the 6 mile. Still had a great time the staff and bus driver were so courteous!
Overall beautiful cruise. Scenic river made the experience simple and enjoyable.
I love this place! Ryan and his staff go all out to make your excursion great. My family always has a great time. Highly recommend!
Go here almost every year for my birthday and several more times over summer. Staff is great
Great family and friends experience!! I highly recommend. Pack a cooler and pick your spot to stop and eat. I will be doing this next summer more than once!!
My favorite place to go kayaking. Great 8 mile trip. Scenery is cool! Would highly recommend
Fun on the river.Good service.
First time kayaking. Took 2 kayaks out and floated for 6-7 hours and we had a great time. Will be back.
Today is fathers day😀 I treated my dad to his 1st canoe ride and it was great idea 💡 he loved it, I loved it...The staff is awesome they walk u threw the process an make it even better experience I highly recommend💯 kid & pet friendly
Always a wonderful experience! Everyone is so nice and helpful. Booking online was a breeze.
Used to really like this place but its gotten bigger, expanded. Bus takes long route do to construction. Kayaks arent in great shape. All the handles have fallen off.
Staff was very friendly and helpful. Clean and beautiful stretch of the river. Definitely recommend for all groups and ages!
Total reviews rating 4.7
199 Reviews for Scenic River Canoe Excursions 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-27My husband and I absolutely love going to scenic for kayaking! We went Saturday for the first time in awhile and it didnt disappoint. The staff was super friendly and welcoming. They made sure to inform us on which were the safest routes to take and made sure our trip was great. Well definitely be booking with them again. We always have a great time on the river, but the people at scenic do what they can to make it even better!
Review №2
2022-06-22I had a BLAST... it RAINED HEAVY that day and also fell into the stream and floated to the shore on the last 0.5 miles... absolutely LOVED it 😆
Review №3
2022-07-03They took exceptional care of us ofr our first kayak trip with our girls (8&9).They are so generous that we stopped their for directions and advice while paddling our own kayaks and they offered up information, encouragement, and even asked if we needed help.This only happens when people love their job, and who they work for.
Review №4
2022-06-19I have been going here for years for kayaking and Ive always enjoyed it. Its great for taking and teaching your kids how to kayak/ canoe without it being too difficult or nice to just relax on the river with friends.The reason I am giving 2 stars is because Ive watched the pricing SKYROCKET over the years. $80 for a single canoe over $91 total for a single canoe after the fees and taxes is absolutely ridiculous. As someone who would love to just get a kayak or canoe but having no place to store it and being forced to rent. Prices are getting ridiculous for the experience it brings.
Review №5
2022-07-05It was a really nice experience! We went there with six people. And took 3 canoes.Small tip: If you are a newbie, I would suggest you take the 6-mile trip instead of the 8 :DBtw the do NOT have lockers to store the belongings. So, make sure to take care of it. Anyway, you can buy waterproof pouches from the check in counter.Moreover, if you carry a backpack, be prepared to see it getting dirty. You will definitely get water splashes inside the Canoe.
Review №6
2022-07-16Disappointing that they do not allow dogs. This is such a dog friendly activity. After driving 1hr to get there they would not make an exception. The excuse was we quit having dogs when covid started. Makes no sense. Management should reconsider. Will not be back especially when other places are happy to have dogs. 👎
Review №7
2022-07-04We went on July 3rd and of course it was really busy. The employees were very efficient. The lines moved smoothly and quickly and every employee seemed to know their job well. It was a great time! I definitely recommend them!
Review №8
2022-06-02The river, trees, and wildlife were gorgeous! I loved how fast the river moved in certain areas! This is my favorite place to kayak now, I will definitely come back here whenever I can! :) Thank you to all of the friendly staff too!
Review №9
2022-07-12Making reservations and checking in went so smoothly. I texted twice to slip our reservation time because I was stuck at an appointment and they were so accommodating and said, “No problem.” The trip itself was peaceful, the equipment was well taken care of, and the staff at the departure and destination were very friendly and helpful. Thank you for a great day on the water.
Review №10
2022-07-04Glad we found this place to kayak. Second time we have been here with no issues. We really like the different river paces, calm and rapids, on the 6 mile trip. Will definitely go back again.