Have you ever wanted to try kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), but don’t know where to go? Or maybe you’re new to Chattanooga and haven’t heard of the many different kayak and SUP rental spots? Here are some places you should check out!
Camp Jordan
Location: Camp Jordan Parkway, East Ridge, TN 37412
Camp Jordan provides kayak rentals from Battlefield Outdoors. Battlefield Outdoors has several kayaking routes, and Camp Jordan is only one of the places that you can drop in. Check their website for their routes and more information about their rentals.
Rate: $30 a day per kayak. This includes one paddle and one life vest.
Rock/Creek
Location: 1530 Riverside Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Their rental hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Rock/Creek rents out both kayaks and SUPs. They also have bike rentals and other outdoor gear, like camping gear, available for rent.
Rates: Both kayaks and SUPs are $30 for 2 hours, $40 for half a day, or $65 for 24 hours.
Canoe Kayak Chattanooga
Location: 9852 Mullins Cove Road, Whitwell, TN 37397
While they don’t provide SUP rentals, you can rent out pontoons and fishing boats, as well as kayaks.
Rate: Kayaks are $35 per day.
Chattanooga Guided Adventures
Location: 99 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405 (Coolidge Park) and various other places
Chattanooga Guided Adventures provides SUP rentals and kayak tours or overnight kayak rental trips that you book online. They also have bike rentals and tours and camping rentals. For SUP rentals, the price includes your SUP, the paddle, an ankle leash, a drybag, life jacket, shuttle ride, and an equipment lock. The pickup is at Coolidge Park under the Market Street Bridge, and the drop off is about 5 miles upstream at a launching point. They’ll tell you about your equipment and how to manage risk before letting you get started.
SUP Rates: $45 per half-day trip with the shuttle or $75 24-hour rental with $50 delivery fee.
Their kayak overnight rental package contains complete kayaking equipment and a trip on the Tennessee River Blueway. It is $90/night with a one-time $50 cleaning fee and $50 shuttle fee. They do offer discounts for multi-night trips.
Check out their website if you’re interested in their kayak tours and packages.
L2 Outside
Location: 131 River Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405
L2 Outside provides many different outdoor rentals and equipment other than kayaks and SUPs, but they have both of those, too. You book online, but the tours meet at their shop right off Market Street by the Tennessee River and Coolidge Park. They also allow a 72-hour free cancellation.
SUP Rates: $25 for 1 hour, $35 for 2 hours, and $75 for a 24-hour rental.
Single Kayak Rates: $30 for 1 hour, $40 for 2 hours, and $85 for a 24-hour rental.
Tandem Kayak Rates: $44 for 1 hour, $59 for 2 hours, and $99 for a 24-hour rental.
There is a 3-4 hour rental upon request. Call to book the 3-4 hour rental.
River Canyon Adventure
Location: 21726 River Canyon Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405
River Canyon Adventure is only open on Saturdays and Sundays from now until September 30. All rentals are for 2 hours only, with rental times of 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. Book online if you’re interested!
Rates: Single kayaks are $30, tandem kayaks are $40, and SUPs are $30.
Rusty’s Kayaks
Location: 8332 Harrison Bay Road, Harrison, TN 37341
While this one isn’t in downtown Chattanooga, it’s still in the Chattanooga area and located right next to Harrison Bay State Park. Rusty’s will help deliver, set up, and pick up all equipment off of Chickamauga Lake. They request reservations be made 24 hours in advance, and you can fill out their rental form online or call them.
Rates: Single kayaks and SUPs are $25 for the first hour, and to add an hour is $10 or $45 for 4 hours or $75 for a day. Tandem kayaks and hydro bikes are $35 for the first hour, $15 to add an hour, $65 for 4 hours, or $85 for the full day.
Harrison Bay State Park
Location: 7855 Bay Marina Circle, Harrison, TN 37341
Harrison Bay State Park has many different paddling options. Along with kayaks and SUPs, they have canoes and row boats.
Rates: Single kayaks are $10 an hour, tandem kayaks are $15 an hour, and SUPs are $10 an hour.
River Drifters
Location: 1925 Suck Creek Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Not only do they provide kayak and SUP rentals, but they are also a restaurant. Located right off the Tennessee River on the Gorge, their free parking and food options will be sure to tempt you after some time out on the water with their rentals.
Rates: Both their kayaks and SUPs are $20 for 1 hour, $30 for 2 hours, and $40 for half a day.
Ocoee Watersports
Location: 1110 US-64, Ocoee, TN 37361
When people hear Ocoee, they immediately think whitewater rafting, and while Ocoee Watersports provides that, as well as Ocoee River tours, raft, tube, and canoe rentals, they also provide kayak and SUP rentals on Lake Parksville, Lake Ocoee, and The Lower Ocoee River Float. All their rentals include a life jacket and paddle. Book online, stop in their shop, or call them. If you don’t have a way to transport your rental, they can help you, but you’ll want to call them ahead of time.
Rates: Their kayak and SUPs are $30 for 2 hours, $50 for 4 hours, and $60 for a day. Tandem kayaks are $50 for 2 hours, $70 for 4 hours, and $200 for an overnight rental.
Hornsby Hollow Campground
Location: 379 Hornsby Hollow Campground Lane, Ten Mile, TN 37880
Located off of Watts Bar Lake, Hornsby Hollow provides single and tandem tribe kayaks, SUPs, and three-person canoes and paddleboats as well as many outdoor activities and experiences. The tribe kayaks and canoes are full-day rentals, while the SUPs and paddleboats are half-day rentals.
Rates: Call 423.334.1709 for rates.
Lakeshore Marina
Location: 5600 Lake Resort Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415
Lakeshore Marina, right off the Chickamauga Shoals, has more than just boats to rent. They also have a restaurant and provide boat storage.
Rates: Their kayak and SUP rentals start at $30 for 2 hours, with the price going up $15 for each extra hour up to 8 hours.
Honorable Mentions
Chester Frost Park, located right off Dallas Bay, has kayaking classes and normally has Corcls available, though they are currently unavailable. Corcls are round boats that you can kayak or stand-up paddle with.
Adventure Sports Innovation, located right off of River Street not very far from Coolidge Park, has lift efoil surfboards, schiller waterbikes, and classic foil surfboards available for rent. While these aren’t kayaks or SUPs, they may still be interesting to try out and provide a unique experience – especially for thrill-seekers!
Chattanooga has a lot to offer in the way of water sports, but especially for kayaks and SUPs. There are many different places to rent from and start your water sports journey. So, go check them out and enjoy your time out on the water!
