Choose your craft for a winding Portage River paddle
4–5.5 hours
Upstream shuttle, river trip
Choose from three boat options for this Oak Harbor river trip.
For this trip, we drop you off at Riverbend Park in Elmore, Ohio and you paddle back to the Oak Harbor livery. This is hands down our most scenic & our favorite trip we offer on the Portage. The river winds and bends more on this trip than any other and offers the best uncrowded section of the Portage River. You may have to portage occasionally a couple of times depending on the water levels. If water levels get too shallow, we may suspend this trip.
Full refund with at least 7 days' notice. Receive a 50% refund from 6 days to 24 hours before start. No-shows are charged the full price. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Product ID: U4DH4E
Walk-ins are accepted when space is available, though reservations are highly recommended.
170 Mill St. Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
This family-run operation stands out for its genuinely warm hospitality and unique personality. The owners are consistently praised as friendly, knowledgeable, and truly invested in making sure everyone has a great time. Beyond the paddling itself, visitors love the mini menagerie on site with goats, turtles, iguanas, and other animals wandering around. There are even eclectic touches like carved wooden mushrooms for sale and gemstone panning activities after your paddle. The river section is peaceful and teeming with wildlife, making for memorable outings whether you're in a kayak, canoe, or on a paddleboard. Families particularly appreciate how accommodating the owners are with large groups and varying ages. The equipment is reportedly comfortable and well-maintained. One reviewer even shared how the owners helped fix their personal paddleboard at no charge and later spent time searching until a lost ring was found. It's the kind of place where the hospitality feels authentic rather than rehearsed, and people clearly return because of the overall experience beyond just being on the water.
Our extended family visited Portage River Paddling Company to go kayaking and paddle boarding in Lake Erie. We had so much fun! The place is magical, with gardens and wild animals everywhere. The family that runs it is very welcoming and patient with a large group. The kayaks and paddle boards were clean and in good condition. They have everything you need for a safe, fun group outing on the lake. The woman who runs it kindly showed me around her gardens afterwards and gave some gardening tips. I tried out the tips when I got home, and now I've got a bunch of cantaloupe seedlings sprouting in my backyard! Good people, great times. We've been twice and will definitely go again the next time we visit Lake Erie.
Margie Zumbrun
August 9, 2026
Our extended family visited Portage River Paddling Company to go kayaking and paddle boarding in Lake Erie. We had so much fun! The place is magical, with gardens and wild animals everywhere. The family that runs it is very welcoming and patient with a large group. The kayaks and paddle boards were clean and in good condition. They have everything you need for a safe, fun group outing on the lake. The woman who runs it kindly showed me around her gardens afterwards and gave some gardening tips. I tried out the tips when I got home, and now I've got a bunch of cantaloupe seedlings sprouting in my backyard! Good people, great times. We've been twice and will definitely go again the next time we visit Lake Erie.
Margie Zumbrun
August 9, 2026
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