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    1. Local experiences
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    3. /Water Activities
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    5. /Chicago River 1-Hour Kayak & SUP Rental
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    Chicago River 1-Hour Kayak & SUP Rental

    Explore Chicago River routes by kayak or stand-up paddleboard at your own pace

    4.7 stars• 475 reviews
    From$43incl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    1 hour

    Includes

    Single or double kayak, SUP

    Highlights

    Explore the Chicago River in a single or double kayak, or on a stand-up paddleboard. Paddle past urban waterways, bridges, and skyline views with recreational options for all experience levels.
    • Discover Goose Island, the Wild Mile, and Wolf Point
    • Paddle toward Lake Shore Drive, the South Loop, or Chinatown
    • Take in Chicago’s bridges, architecture, and riverfront views
    • Look for ducks, turtles, beavers, and birds along the Wild Mile
    • Share the water with a partner in a double kayak

    What's Included

    • Selected single kayak, double kayak, or stand-up paddleboard
    • Orientation and safety instructions

    Know before you go

    • Arrive 15 minutes early for orientation and safety instructions
    • Complete the waiver before you arrive
    • Children under 12 must ride with an adult in a double kayak
    • Sea kayaks require previous kayaking experience plus completed sea kayaking courses or equivalent rescue skills
    • Return by closing time: 7pm in summer or 6pm in September, then check out at the office
    • Expect extra rental time to be charged in quarter-hour increments at hourly rates; charges stop increasing after the first 3 hours
    • A credit card must remain on file and may be charged for extra time or lost, missing, or damaged equipment
    • A credit card processing fee applies and is not included in the listed price

    Cancellation Policy

    Cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled time for a refund. Cancellations within 48 hours can be rescheduled for a $25 per-person fee but are not refundable.

    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago
    Experience provided by Kayak Chicago

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Reference #76HPY9

    One Hour: Single Kayak

    $43.46

    Seats 1 Person

    0

    One Hour: Double Kayak

    $55.88

    Seats 2 People

    0

    One Hour: Stand Up Paddleboard

    $43.46

    Seats 1 Person

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.7
    Excellent
    475 reviews•Google Maps
    389
    42
    11
    7
    15

    Kayaking through downtown Chicago with this crew is genuinely hard to beat. Guides like Adam, Matt, and Antonio consistently earn praise for being knowledgeable, funny, and attentive, and the routes themselves are spectacular, whether you're paddling through calm wake-free zones around Goose Island or catching the river turn green on a seasonal tour. First-timers especially seem to feel well looked after, with solid instruction before hitting the water and staff who go out of their way to make sure everyone's comfortable. The experience itself is the star here. Calm water options make it approachable for beginners, while more adventurous paddlers can venture into the busier stretches of the Chicago River. A couple of negative reviews flag some concerning situations around safety response and customer service, so it's worth keeping that in mind. That said, those experiences appear to be outliers in an otherwise overwhelmingly positive track record. Overall, this is a well-run operation with genuinely passionate guides and a product that delivers a pretty unforgettable perspective on the city.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    Fantastic experience and professional staff. Aaron was a terrific guide- very chill and friendly. He even had to tow a grown woman who registered and somehow didn’t realize paddling was involved in a 3 hour kayak tour (full disclosure: it is). Aaron then proceeded to tow her to the river bank after she somehow managed to flip out of her kayak (a feat that requires a lot of effort). I’ve kayaked many different times and places, including downtown Chicago on several occasions but never w Kayak Chicago or this far up the north branch of the river. I would definitely do it again and recommend to others- just be prepared to paddle.

    Photo of Chris W

    Chris W

    June 22, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Fantastic experience and professional staff. Aaron was a terrific guide- very chill and friendly. He even had to tow a grown woman who registered and somehow didn’t realize paddling was involved in a 3 hour kayak tour (full disclosure: it is). Aaron then proceeded to tow her to the river bank after she somehow managed to flip out of her kayak (a feat that requires a lot of effort). I’ve kayaked many different times and places, including downtown Chicago on several occasions but never w Kayak Chicago or this far up the north branch of the river. I would definitely do it again and recommend to others- just be prepared to paddle.

    Photo of Chris W

    Chris W

    June 22, 2026

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