How to Kayak the Cuyahoga River in Downtown Kent

The season is ripe for my third favorite summer activity: kayaking.

Many people already know about Kent's main, public options for floating a canoe or kayak on the Cuyahoga River.

And that's Crooked River Adventures, the canoe and kayak livery run by Kent State University that has several trips starting at John Brown Tannery Park at the southern end of downtown.

Those trips run on a calm, wide stretch of the river that winds through Stow and Munroe Falls to stops at Brust Park and Water Works Park southwest of Kent.

You can find all the information you need about Crooked River Adventures on their website.

But that’s not what I’m going to tell you about. Today, I’m going to run you through the lesser-known options for getting your own personal canoe or kayak on the river.

In the video above, I start by putting my kayak in at the River Bend Park boat launch. This put-in point on the Cuyahoga is just north of Standing Rock Cemetery. The park is off River Bend Boulevard just before you cross the bridge over the river.

From this point, paddlers get to experience a not-often seen section of the river. This stretch heads straight south towards downtown, and along the way you’ll pass numerous Kent landmarks.

First you’ll see Standing Rock (for which the cemetery and countless other Kent destinations take their name), the massive deck at Riverside Wine and Bar, the new Fairchild Avenue Bridge and its accompanying pedestrian bridge, Brady’s Leap, the Star of the West Mill, the Stone Arch Bridge, dam and lock at Heritage Park, the Pufferbelly and the Haymaker Parkway overpass.

The trip, which on a relatively high and fast river, can last less than 45 minutes from River Bend to John Brown Tannery Park. It’s perfect to hit twice on a lazy afternoon and is more challenging than the trips that start where this one ends.

Also along the way, in the heart of downtown just north and a little south of the Main Street Bridge there are two canoe and kayak portages installed last year by the Kent Parks and Recreation Department.

The portages allow you to take out, walk your boat back upstream and put in again to run under the bridge and past the dam. During extreme high water, in spring and fall months, these are a great option for the experienced paddler to practice on more than Class 1 rapids.

Here are some tips for tackling this section of the river:

• If you’re paddling alone, you’ll want to lock-up a bike at Tannery Park so you can ride back to get your car at River Bend.
• Wear the minimum safety gear, and that means a life vest and helmet.
• Don’t run this section if the weather has been really dry and the river is extremely low. You’ll drag bottom the whole time and have no fun (trust me, I know).
• DO let someone know you’re taking the trip and how long you expect to be.
• Take a friend! It’s a blast.

There are a few things to note, particularly about the bridge construction. There is a temporary bridge in place that should be removed by the end of summer 2013. In extreme high water you should avoid this section of the river until that temporary causeway is removed, as it can pose a serious hazard.

When I shot the video above the new pedestrian bridge had not yet opened. Once it opens, this trip will be a particular treat for those using a bike to retrieve their car, as you’ll be able to cross the new pedestrian bridge and use The Portage Hike and Bike Trail to get to the tie-in trail at River Bend. Look for that option later this summer.

The neat thing about this entire trip is that you don’t need to leave Kent to make it happen. You can get a kayak — whether whitewater or fishing — at Wild Earth Outfitters along with all the necessary accessories. And you can snag a bike, lock and anything else at Kent Cycle.

If you see me out on the river or trail, wave hello!