Slip into a kayak to explore the wild side of the Raquette River's Oxbow. This guided paddle takes you through a rich wetland ecosystem shaped by water, wildlife, and the engineering skills of beavers. As you wind through quiet channels and scenic river bends, keep an eye out for native birds, aquatic plants, signs of beaver activity, and other wildlife that call this special habitat home.

Each trip is led by a NYS-licensed guide and Wild Center naturalist who will share stories about the river's natural history, wetland ecology, and the plants and animals you encounter along the way. Choose to paddle either a single-person kayak (13+) or a tandem canoe that accommodates 2-3 adults or up to 2 adults and 2 children (ages 4-12).

Paddle trips start at 1 pm from our docks, located 1/3rd of a mile from the Center. Wild Center admission tickets are required to participate in the paddle experience. Please purchase admission tickets and plan to arrive at our campus by 12 pm or earlier to allow time for admission and the walk to the river. There are no bathrooms there, but a portable toilet is available.

The guided paddle is priced per boat, with separate rates for single-person kayaks and tandem canoes. Canoe can accommodate 2-3 adults or 1-2 adults with 1-2 children (ages 4-12) and can be reserved on the Canoe registration page.

Please determine how many kayaks your group will need before making your reservation. We have 5 kayaks and 4 canoes available for advance registration. 

Member Kayak: $20

Non-member Kayak: $30