WEB SITE: REI Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
2023 SEASON: Open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Just outside the Beltway, the sprawling National Harbor development is a destination for locals and tourists alike. Kayakers start in a cove that shields the winds and ripples or head over to Wilson Bridge. The Potomac River is nearly a mile-wide here and can get choppy at times. There are good views of National Harbor, the Wilson Bridge and Alexandria. North of the bridge, there is also the “Arm, in Case” art installation.
After paddling, there are a number of places to get a drink or a meal, plus the Capital Wheel and the Awakening.
In 2023, National Harbor switched from Boating in DC to REI. The new vendor increased the rental rate by over 50%. On the bright side, it is now open five days a week.
Getting there
– National Harbor Trail, Wilson Bridge Trail
– 35, 35S, NH, NH1
– $
News
-
Labor Day is last chance for 2023 at some DC Kayaking locations
The last weekend of “summer” is also the final weekend many Washington, D.C. area kayaking locations are open. It’s a shame too, because September and October are also the best time of year for kayaking. Lower temperatures and dew points are a welcome respite after several months of hazy, hot and humid. Sadly, the DC…
-
National Harbor kayak rentals re-opened by REI
REI Co-op replaced Boating in DC as the vendor renting kayaks at National Harbor. The bad news is REI charges over 50% more than Boating in DC did. The good news is REI is renting kayaks five days a week whereas the predecessor was only on weekends. National Harbor has typically been operated between the…
-
2023 DC Kayaking: More Virginia and Maryland locations opening; National Harbor ends rentals
There is good news and bad news for Washingtonians looking to rent a kayak in the DC area. Three more locations are opening for paddlers in the next ten days. Most locations will open for Memorial Day weekend. I’ll make an update that week too. Northern Virginia Maryland Now the bad news – no National…