Kayak Pittsburgh FAQ

Typically, anyone ages 3+ can go kayaking.

However, some restrictions apply:

• Age 3 (or 35 lbs) to 12 – Must be in a tandem kayak with a parent or guardian, and parent or guardian must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form for each child.
  Note: children cannot ride on a lap, they must have a seat. Booster seats are available at our North Park & Aspinwall location. Boosters add a third small seat to a tandem kayak.
• Age 13-15 – May be in a solo kayak, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the water. Must also have parent or guardian sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.
• Age 16-17 – May be in a solo kayak on water alone, but parent or guardian must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.
• Age 18+ – Must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.

Weight Requirements

• Minimum weight requirement is 35 pounds.
• Maximum weight limit is 325 pounds for solo kayaks and 575 pounds for tandem kayaks.

Stand up paddleboarding is currently only available at the North Park location.

You must be 16 years or older to go stand up paddleboarding.

However, some restriction may apply:

• Age 16-17 – May go out on a stand up paddle board on the water alone, but parent or guardian must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.
• Age 18+ – Must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.

Canoeing is currently only available at the North Park location.

Typically, anyone ages 3+ can go canoeing.

However, some restrictions apply:

• Age 3 (or 35 lbs) to 12 – Must be with a parent or guardian, and parent or guardian must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form for each child.
• Age 13-15 – Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian on the water. Must also have parent or guardian sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.
• Age 16-17 – May canoe but a parent or guardian must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.
• Age 18+ – Must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form.

Max Weight and Paddlers

• Maximum 2 adults and 1 child are allow in a canoe at a time (750lbs total max).

Kayaking in our rivers and lakes is perfect for beginners as well as advanced paddlers. Our rivers are slow moving, and our lakes are calm. It is easy to learn and after a few minutes of instruction from our staff, you will be equipped to head out onto the river and enjoy the city from a whole new vantage point.

Reservations can be made at here

No, you don’t have to be a Venture Outdoors member to kayak, but you’ll help support our mission AND save on kayaking rental if you are a member!

Venture Outdoors Memberships start at only $20 a year and include $5 off the first hour of kayaking.

All current Members are eligible to receive a 12% discount when buying a Kayak Pittsburgh season pass. Sign up for Membership or learn more here.

Yes! Season Passes are available to buy here. Current Venture Outdoors Members are eligible to receive a 12% discount on season passes, please email membership@ventureoutdoors.org for more information.

Kayaking is like riding a bike; you can get in a great workout or just relax and enjoy the scenery.

Wear whatever you’re comfortable in! While you should not expect to get excessively wet, your paddle will drip a bit as you move along the water.

We don’t recommend:

• Jeans
• Bulky clothes
• Flip flops or shoes that can fall off easily

We do recommend:

• Non-cotton materials
• Layering
• Preparing for direct sun
• Preparing for a cool breeze
• Tennis shoes or sandals with straps

All boaters must wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) at all times.  We provide these at the concession.

Our minimum rental is for one hour. Kayaks can be rented for an additional hour – to be back by the time allotment you chose.

Yes. All participants must sign an Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form before paddling. Those under age 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risk Form for them.

You will complete a waiver digitally once you have confirmed a reservation. A waiver link will be shared once the reservation is complete.

Inclement Weather Policy

The safety of our guests and employees is Kayak Pittsburgh’s utmost priority.

Thunder/Lightening:

• For every clap of thunder and/or strike of lightening, Kayak Pittsburgh is required to close the rental location for at least 45 minutes. Depending on the longevity and intensity of the storm, the management team may decide to close the location for the remainder of the day.

Rain

• The Kayak Pittsburgh rental location will continue operation if it’s raining unless there is a “Flash Flood Warning”.

Cancellations/ Refunds:

• Refunds:
  • If the Kayak Pittsburgh rental location experiences a temporary closure due to inclement weather, you will receive a full refund.
  • If you are on the water while a storm approaches, we ask that you safely take shelter. If you are out on the water for less than 30 minutes, you will receive a full refund.
• Cancellations
  • Kayak Pittsburgh will alert you via phone call, email and/or text message if the rental location decides to close due to inclement weather.
  • If you choose to cancel your reservation due to inclement weather, but it’s after the 24-hour cancellation policy: please contact us at kayakpittsburgh@ventureoutdoors.org.

There is a free parking lot located at the Boathouse in North Park and at Aspinwall Riverfront Park.

For North Shore parking, click here for some options. Street parking is free on Sundays.

• Always wear your PFD
• No drugs/alcohol
• Stay away from boats, bridges, buoys, debris, and stationary objects
• Along the river paddle close to shore
• Always stay seated in your boat
• Stay clear of people fishing
• Kayak Pittsburgh staff at each location will explain where you are allowed to paddle that day pending water conditions