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Kayaking the Great Miami River with TC River Adventures - Cincinnati

Kayaking the Great Miami River with TC River Adventures

Cleveschallenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

7–10 hours

Fitness Level

Participants should have strong endurance and intermediate to advanced paddling skills to navigate rapids and maintain energy throughout the day.

Overview

Paddle 17 miles down Ohio’s Great Miami River with TC River Adventures. This full-day kayak trip combines gentle rapids, scenic riverbanks, and quiet fishing spots for experienced paddlers ready to commit to a dynamic outdoor journey.

Cleves, Ohio

Tippecanoe 17-Mile Trip

Ages 12 and up the only booking time is 7:30 am. 2 person min. Single Kayaks & Personal Kayaks only

Water Activities

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About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable 17-mile kayaking adventure down the serene lower Great Miami River. Perfect for experienced paddlers, this full-day trip features gentle rapids, stunning scenery, and opportunities for fishing. With only one morning departure, prepare for a day of relaxation and excitement in nature's embrace.

Explore the pristine, undisturbed lower Great Miami River.

  • The only booking time is 7:30 am customers need to be off the river by 6:00 pm Avg time is 7 hours to 10 hours depending on how often you stop

  • Customers need to arrive and check-in by 7:00 am.

  • No one under the age of 12

Only Single Kayaks are available to rent. Personal Kayaks as well as rental kayaks require a Reservation

This trip requires at least 4 advanced experienced Kayakers (not recommended for beginners).

Rates

Weekdays: and (Non-Holiday’s)

  • Single Kayaks - $60
  • Personal Kayaks - $50
  • Cooler Carriers - $10

Weekends: Saturday & Sunday and Holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day

  • Single Kayaks - $70
  • Personal Kayaks - $55
  • Cooler Carriers - $10

Duration

  • Approximately 7-10 Hours

About

This 17-mile Trip is a great way to spend a full day on the river and have a chance to relax, take in the sights and sounds and sun, and do a little fishing. The trip is mostly flat with a few rapids and good current. There is only one departure time for this trip 8:30 AM About 7 miles in you come across 2 types of rapids Class A and Class 1 explained below

Swifts / Class A Rapids

  • Difficulty: Very Easy for experienced kayakers

Water & Obstacles:

The river will narrow forcing the same amount of water through a smaller channel. This makes the water move faster and you’ll see little white waves. Swifts often happen in parts of the river where the river bed gets shallow or where the river narrows. The whitewater in a swift is created by super small waves from the fast-moving water, unlike in a Class I or Class II rapid where the whitewater may be from water recirculating over a rock. There may be the occasional rock sticking out of a swift, but if there are lots of obstacles the rapid is probably a Class 1.

Class I Rapids

  • Difficulty: Very Easy for experienced kayakers

Water & Obstacles:

In a Class I rapid, the volume of moving water is pretty low, so even if a canoe were to get broadside, novice paddlers still probably wouldn’t tip. Typically, it’ll either be shallow and the biggest challenge is to avoid shallow or exposed rocks. In this case, you’ll need to set a specific line down the rapid to avoid the rocks, we’d call this a Class I Technical rapid. On the other hand, the river could be quite deep, where the water is moving a little faster but there aren’t any obstacles.

What to Bring

  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen & hat
  • Plenty of water to stay hydrated and plenty of food for your trip
  • Water-appropriate water shoes
  • Dress appropriately for a day in the water
  • A change of dry clothes back in your car
  • Waterproof bags (for important items)
  • Trash bags

What to Know

  • We encourage everyone to wear their life jackets at all times. This is a river and does have strong undercurrents -All customers MUST sign a waiver before participating.
  • All minors, 12-17 years of age, MUST have a parent or guardian's signature before participating.
  • Please check in daily to be sure river levels are in the safe range to enjoy the river that day. Unfortunately, beautiful weather does not guarantee we are open.
  • Our Facebook Page always has the most up-to-date information about the livery.
  • Reservations must be made online through our website only.
  • Dogs are permitted, please keep them on a leash and away from other dogs.
  • As a reminder never tether your dog to the kayak/tandem kayak/canoe/raft
  • We allow personal watercraft and you must pay to use our shuttle service.
  • Personal boat owners are responsible for ensuring their kayak is secure on our trailer.
  • We TKT are not responsible for damages that occurred during the transport of your boat

Adventure Tips

Bring waterproof bags

Keep essential items dry during the trip with quality waterproof storage.

Arrive early for check-in

Check-in starts at 7:00 a.m. to prepare for the 7:30 a.m. launch—don’t be late.

Wear appropriate footwear

Water shoes provide grip and protect feet from river rocks and sudden shallow spots.

Monitor river conditions before booking

River levels affect safety; check the day’s status on TC River Adventures’ Facebook before heading out.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Great blue heron
  • River otters

History

The Great Miami River has historical significance in Ohio’s early settlement and commerce, once serving as a transportation route for Native American tribes and pioneers.

Conservation

TC River Adventures promotes Leave No Trace principles to protect the river’s water quality and habitat integrity amidst increasing recreational use.

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Adventure Hotspots in Cincinnati

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Personal flotation device (PFD)

Essential

Mandatory for safety on all river trips, especially with rapids and currents.

Water shoes

Essential

Protect feet on rocky riverbeds and provide grip in slippery sections.

summer specific

Sunglasses with retention strap

Essential

Reduce glare and keep sunglasses secure during paddling.

spring specific

Waterproof dry bag

Essential

Keep electronics, food, and clothing dry through the long day on the water.