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Happy National Plan for Vacation Day!
Let us guide you to your next adventure
Boating in DC offers 7 convenient boathouses throughout the Greater Washington, DC, area along the Potomac and Anacostia rivers. Staffed by friendly and experienced instructors who are crazy about boating!
Boating in DC
Though rentals vary by location, these boathouses offer everything from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards and sculls to hydro bikes and pedal boats. You can even join for unique tours, adult lessons, and youth boating day camps. And be sure to sign up for one of their value-packed Season Passes that make it easy to get out on the water all summer long!
Ballpark Boathouse
Experience the cheers of the crowd like never before! Paddle your way around the Capitol Riverfront in Southeast DC right outside National’s Park and enjoy all the Anacostia River has to offer. Enjoy a paddle past DC’s historic Navy Yard and check out sites like the U.S. Capitol, USS Barry, and Fort McNair. You can even listen to the home run roar of Nationals Stadium or watch a Friday evening concert at Yards Park right from the water! You may even be lucky enough to catch a home run ball.
Fletcher’s Boathouse
Tackle the Fletcher’s Boathouse fishing challenge! With access to the Potomac River as well as the historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Fletcher’s Boathouse has been a locally renowned paddling and unique fishing destination since the 1850s. Visit the Tackle Shack for expertly chosen fishing tackle suitable for local angling, not to mention snacks and refreshments! You can also seize the day at this quaint DC boathouse with any of your favorite boating rentals like paddling, row boating, canoeing, and kayaking. Or, experience the area through one of our spectacular guided kayak nature tours.
Key Bridge Boathouse
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city! Enjoy the sights of the Potomac River as you paddleboard or boat past the Georgetown Waterfront, Roosevelt Island, the Lincoln Memorial, and under the beautiful Key Bridge. Or, you can kayak and board your way up the river to the C&O Canal for a relaxing day of tranquility. Everyone from the knowledgeable employees to the joyful paddlers at Key Bridge Boathouse loves kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
National Harbor Boathouse
Spend the day suspended in the air and then walking on water at the National Harbor! This boathouse sits along the Potomac River and outside the vibrant, scenic waterfront where the Capitol Wheel lights up the skies and spins you toward the stars, the perfect complement to your aquatic adventure. Featuring kayak/paddleboard rentals and paddleboard lessons, the boathouse is a great place to start an unforgettable day of fun at the National Harbor.
The Wharf Boathouse
All the exciting recreation DC has to offer in one convenient location! Located at The Wharf on DC’s Southwest Waterfront, The Wharf Boathouse compliments the exciting activities of the area with superb water adventures. Paddlers enjoy the classic Boating in DC services like paddleboard rentals and a water jitney for quick transportation across the channel. Kayakers, paddleboarders, and Jitney riders also enjoy the water views of the crystal high rises reflecting the sun over fleets of beautiful boats docked at The Wharf Boathouse’s expansive marina.
Thompson’s Boathouse
Whether you’re looking to explore national monuments, experience peaceful moments reflected in the calm waters, or take a boating class, Thompson Boat Center is the Washington, D.C. destination you’ve been looking for. Many of the boaters here love the bliss of an early morning paddle on the calm waters of the Potomac River. And if you’re not a big morning person and just want to get out on your own terms, the boathouse offers a wide variety of boat rentals to send you on your own personal water adventure! We invite you to kayak, canoe, row, or paddleboard to your heart’s content in the nation’s capital.
Tidal Basin Boathouse
As perhaps the most unique way to experience the Jefferson Memorial and surrounding monuments in Washington DC, the pedal boats at Tidal Basin Boathouse offer an excellent aquatic adventure. With boats that accommodate up to 4-passengers, this is also a great spot for families.