Canoe Rental in Hocking Hills: How to Plan a Couples River Trip

A canoe rental in Hocking Hills is one of the best ways to spend a day with your partner on the water. The Hocking River runs calm, the scenery is hard to beat, and you don’t need any experience to enjoy it. We offer canoe, kayak, and tube rentals from our livery in Logan, Ohio, with two self-guided trips for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the river.

Whether you’re looking for a quick afternoon float or a full-day paddle with a side hike, a canoe rental here will give you time on the river at your own pace. You can pair your trip with a cabin stay, extend it into a weekend getaway, or just show up for the afternoon and head home after.

How Canoe Rental Hocking Hills Style Works

Our canoe livery offers kayak and raft rentals too, all with full shuttle service. You check in at our location on State Route 664 in Logan, Ohio. We give you your boat, paddles, and life jackets, then drive you upstream to the launch point. From there, you paddle downstream at your own pace back to where your car is parked.

Everything is included in the rental price: the boat, paddles, life jackets, safety briefing, and round-trip shuttle. You don’t bring any gear. Just show up, check in, and get on the water.

We’ve been running trips on this river since 1996, when the Fox family founded the livery. Guests rate us 4.8 stars across nearly 1,400 Google reviews, and the feedback consistently mentions how smooth and relaxed the experience feels.

River Trip Options for Two

We run two canoe and kayak routes from our livery, and both work well for couples.

Trip A (Crockett’s Trip) is a 5-mile trip that takes about 2 hours. This is the shorter route with calm stretches, gentle riffles, and sandy pullover spots. You can rent a canoe ($60, seats two), a tandem kayak ($70, built for two paddlers), or two single kayaks ($50 each). Tubing is also available on Trip A when water levels allow, though it’s for adults only with a PFD required. First-time paddlers often start here since the distance is manageable and the current stays easy.

Trip B covers 7 miles and takes 3 to 4 hours. The longer route passes the trailhead to Natural Rockbridge, Ohio’s largest natural bridge, where you can pull your boat onto shore and hike to the formation. Trip B is available by canoe ($70, seats two) or single kayak ($60 each). This is a good choice if you want a longer scenic stretch and a side hike.

Both trips are completely self-guided, which means you set the pace and choose your own stops along the way. Minimum age is 3 with no exceptions, and life jackets are required for anyone age 12 and under or any non-swimmer.

Why Fall Is the Best Time for a Couples Canoe Rental

September and October on the river are different from the peak summer months. The crowds thin out, the air cools down, and the hardwood canopy along the scenic Hocking River corridor starts turning gold and red.

Our fall season runs from September 8 through October 17. We’re open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. We’re closed Tuesday and Wednesday. A weekday canoe rental during fall often means you’ll have long stretches of the river to yourselves.

Average September highs in the Logan, Ohio area run around 79°F with lows near 60°F. By October, daytime highs drop to around 67°F and lows near 49°F. Bring a light layer for the morning, especially if you’re paddling early.

The October stretch of Trip B through deeper woods tends to show the most fall color. Pair that with the Natural Rockbridge hike, and you have a full morning on the water.

What Else to Do Near the Livery

A canoe rental takes a few hours. If you want to extend your day or turn it into a weekend, there’s plenty nearby.

Cabin stay. Our cabin rentals sit close to the launch area. Paddle in the afternoon, clean up, and spend the evening by the fire. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn a river trip into an overnight getaway.

Hiking. Hocking Hills State Park is nearby, with trails at Old Man’s Cave, Conkle’s Hollow, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls. A cabin stay gives you time to hike in the morning and paddle in the afternoon.

Lake Logan. The lake is a short drive from the livery and offers fishing, swimming, and shoreline access for anyone who wants additional time outdoors.

You can build an entire day or weekend around a canoe rental. Hocking Hills has enough nearby to keep you busy before and after the paddle.

Tips for Your Canoe Rental

Book ahead for weekends. Saturday mornings fill up faster than any other slot, and the fall season window is shorter. A Thursday or Friday trip gives you more open water and a quieter river.

Pack a cooler. Sandwiches, drinks, and snacks in a dry bag turn a sandbar stop into a real picnic. Both routes have sandy pullover spots where you can beach the boat.

Dress for the water. Quick-dry shorts and a moisture-wicking top work best. Skip the cotton. Bring a change of clothes to leave in the car.

Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before your reservation. This gives you time to check in, gear up, and catch the shuttle without rushing.

Bring a dry bag for valuables. Keep your phone, car keys, and any extra layers sealed up. The river is calm, but splashes happen around riffles and narrow passages.

We’re at 12789 State Route 664 in Logan, Ohio, about an hour southeast of Columbus. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or just want a day away from screens, a canoe rental, Hocking Hills’ most relaxed outdoor activity, gives you calm water, zero crowds, and a few hours of uninterrupted time together. Book your trip now or call us at 740-385-0523 to reserve your date.

Frequently Asked Questions