River Tours
Participants should be reasonably physically fit and prepared to get wet. Canoes are two-person boats, sit-on-top kayaks are single-person boats. Special group tours can be scheduled for groups of 10-12 (kayaks) or 10-14 (canoes). Contact Carina Damian at 559-248-8480 ext.218 or cdamian@riverparkway.org for details.
Reservations are required for all tours. Making reservations at least 2-4 weeks in advance is recommended. All tours include necessary equipment and instruction from our trained guides. Tours may be canceled due to low enrollment, weather, and hazardous river conditions.
Reservations are required for all tours. Making reservations at least 2-4 weeks in advance is recommended. All tours include necessary equipment and instruction from our trained guides. Tours may be canceled due to low enrollment, weather, and hazardous river conditions.
Age Requirements:
Downriver Kayak (1-person/Solo boat): 16 and up
Calm Water Canoe (2-person/Tandem boat): 4 years and up with adult in the canoe; 12 years and up without an adult
Calm Water Kayak (1-person/Solo boat) : 12 years and up
PLEASE NOTE: River Tours involves shuttling passengers between the take-out point and put-in points at the beginning and the end of the trip. Parkway is not able to shuttle members of the public between sites. Participants are responsible for providing enough vehicles and drivers to shuttle their group between sites. (E.g. a group of two must-have two vehicles and drivers, and a group of four must have at least two drivers with vehicles able to seat four people).
Long Half-Day Kayak Tour
Come spend the morning paddling down the San Joaquin River! This 5-hour downriver trip takes you from Lost Lake to Owl Hollow, Parkway's riverfront property near the River Center. You will learn the basics of paddling a sit-on-top kayak, with time to practice on a calm area of the river before heading downstream. This trip is perfect for both new and experienced kayakers alike! Participants are encouraged to bring snacks and/or a lunch. Groups will meet the guide at the River Center, then shuttle to Owl Hollow to drop off vehicles, and shuttle to the starting point at Lost Lake.
Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Price: $70/participant Participants: Maximum of 12 participants. Participants must register in groups of 2 or more to accommodate shuttling requirements. Ages 16+. Kayaks are single person boats. Stretch: Lost Lake to Owl Hollow
Time: 8:30 am - 1:30 pm Price: $70/participant Participants: Maximum of 12 participants. Participants must register in groups of 2 or more to accommodate shuttling requirements. Ages 16+. Kayaks are single person boats. Stretch: Lost Lake to Owl Hollow
Evening Kayak Tour
Enjoy an adventure on the San Joaquin River! On this 3-hour downriver trip, you will paddle from Running River Ranch to Owl Hollow, located 3/4 mile behind the River Center. This portion of the river takes you along quiet, calm stretches, and through fun twists and turns. You will learn the basics of paddling, with time to practice in a calm area of the river before heading downstream. This trip is perfect for both new and experienced kayakers alike! Participants will meet their guide at the River Center to start the trip, then shuttle to Owl Hollow to drop off vehicles, then shuttle to the starting point at Running River Ranch.
Time: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Price: $60/participant Participants: Maximum of 12 participants. Participants must register in groups of 2 or more to accommodate shuttling requirements. Ages 16+. Kayaks are single person boats. Stretch: Running River Ranch to Owl Hollow
Time: 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm Price: $60/participant Participants: Maximum of 12 participants. Participants must register in groups of 2 or more to accommodate shuttling requirements. Ages 16+. Kayaks are single person boats. Stretch: Running River Ranch to Owl Hollow
Bald Eagle Canoe Tour
Join us for a morning of guided canoeing and Bald Eagle observations at Sycamore Island! Perfect for first-time paddlers and novice birders. You’ll learn basic paddling skills and practice your observation skills on this three-hour tour.
Please note: While Bald Eagle sightings are likely, they cannot be guaranteed.
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pmDates: TBDLocation: Sycamore Island Cost: $35/person*
*The fee to enter Sycamore Island is covered in this price. Participants will receive a day pass upon arrival at the site.
Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pmDates: TBDLocation: Sycamore Island Cost: $35/person*
*The fee to enter Sycamore Island is covered in this price. Participants will receive a day pass upon arrival at the site.
Private Tours
Book a private trip for your group and receive a 5% discount on the sold-out pricing! You may choose to book canoes or kayaks for a downriver or calm water tour for your group. Canoes require teams of two participants per boat and are a great way to promote team building. Our one-person sit-on-top kayaks offer the perfect way to learn and practice individual paddling skills while taking in the beauty of the San Joaquin River. In addition to the options listed above, you can also book a Calm Water Adventure or Full-Day Tour for your group.
Please note: private tours cannot be booked with less than 14 days' notice and must be paid at least 7 days in advance. Pricing for private tours is listed below and is not negotiable; by booking a private tour you are reserving all spaces for that trip and are welcome to fill as many or as few of those spaces as you like. Contact Carina Damian at (559) 248-8480 ext. 218 or cdamian@riverparkway.org for more information or to schedule your tour today. Private Calm Water Adventures begin in February; private downriver trips begin in late March and is dependent on river conditions. Downriver trips may be canceled or rescheduled due to unsafe river flows.
Private Tour Pricing (includes 5% discount on sold-out pricing); 10% discount available for eligible non-profits with verifiable 501(c)3 status.Please note: pricing for private tours is not negotiable; by booking a private tour you are reserving all spaces for that trip and are welcome to fill as many or as few of those spaces as you like.
Please note: private tours cannot be booked with less than 14 days' notice and must be paid at least 7 days in advance. Pricing for private tours is listed below and is not negotiable; by booking a private tour you are reserving all spaces for that trip and are welcome to fill as many or as few of those spaces as you like. Contact Carina Damian at (559) 248-8480 ext. 218 or cdamian@riverparkway.org for more information or to schedule your tour today. Private Calm Water Adventures begin in February; private downriver trips begin in late March and is dependent on river conditions. Downriver trips may be canceled or rescheduled due to unsafe river flows.
Private Tour Pricing (includes 5% discount on sold-out pricing); 10% discount available for eligible non-profits with verifiable 501(c)3 status.Please note: pricing for private tours is not negotiable; by booking a private tour you are reserving all spaces for that trip and are welcome to fill as many or as few of those spaces as you like.
Half Day(Running River Ranch- Owl Hollow) | Long Half Day
(Lost Lake - Owl Hollow) | Calm Water (Sycamore Island or Running River Ranch) | Combination Half Day and 2-hour Low Ropes Challenge Course | |
Canoes (Up to 14 people) | Not available | Not available | $600 | Not available |
Canoes(Up to 28 people) | Not available | Not available | $1,200 | Not available |
Kayaks(Up to 14 people) | $685 | $800 | $600 | $900 |
Refund Policy
Full refund provided for cancellations made at least 1 week in advance of the tour. 50% refund provided for cancellations made three days prior to the tour. No refund is provided for no-shows. Requests to reschedule a booked trip are not guaranteed and must be made 3 days (72 hours) prior to the trip to be considered. If the tour is canceled due to low enrollment, weather, or river conditions, participants will be notified with as much lead time as possible and given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
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