Houston's best Buffalo Bayou canoe trips!
Join me on a canoe adventure trip through the heart of Houston on Buffalo Bayou. Along the way you'll see plenty of wildlife and learn about the natural and human histories that have shaped our landscapes over the past 100,000 years. See bottom of this page for booking details, and then send me a tour request message via the "Reserve a Tour" page. Trip group size is 4 persons maximum, and trips are held on weekends only.
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Best of Buffalo Bayou: The most popular Buffalo Bayou tour. Travel 4 miles downstream between the forested wilds of Memorial Park and the stately mansions of River Oaks, with several stops to examine Pleistocene sandstone outcrops, natural springs, and modern river deposits. Along the way, we're sure to spot plenty of native wildlife. Duration (including logistics) 3 to 4 hours. Can also be done in one hour, if all you want to do is fast paddle straight through. All skill levels welcome. $75 per person.
happy hour: The "Bat Paddle": (April through September, evenings only.) Meet at about an hour before sunset for an easy paddle on Buffalo Bayou from downtown to the Waugh Bridge, where 300,000 Mexican free tailed bats make their home, and emerge in a spectacular fashion every night around sunset. We'll park the canoes on the beach and enjoy some locally brewed beverages while watching the bats, and the avian predators that fly in for a few "bat snacks"! The trip concludes with a relaxing night time float downstream with views of the iconic Houston skyline, and maybe the moonrise if we go during a full moon. 3 hours duration, all skill levels welcome. $50 per person.
Herons and Gators on Lake Sheldon: (March-September.) Flatwater paddle to get up close and personal with one of the largest wading bird rookeries on the Texas coast. Egrets, Roseate Spoonbills, Anhingas, Bitterns, Ibis, and multiple heron species are here in abundance, along with many varieties of perching birds. Bring your binoculars and camera! There are plenty of alligators here, but sometimes they are shy and hide from view. Approximately two hours on the water. All skill levels welcome, $75 per person.
Wild and Scenic Buffalo Bayou: Same as the Memorial Park trip, but starts about six miles further upstream, for a total distance of 10 miles, with some technical water. Who knew there were rapids on Buffalo Bayou? Trip includes several stops and side hikes. Approximately 5 hours duration (includes logistics, and depends on water levels and time spent on tour stops). Can also be done in about two hours or less, if all you want to do is fast paddle straight through. $100 per person.
Highway 6 to Downtown to the Heights extreme adventure trip: This 30 miles of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous is the most extreme canoe trip in Houston! In addition to the features described in the shorter trips above, this requires multiple portages around or over fallen trees in the HWY6 to BW8 reach, so if you have arachnophobia or snake-o-phobia this is not the trip for you. But...you will do an amazing canoe trip that very few people have accomplished. This trip takes about 8 hours including logistics. We'll use my aluminum racing canoe for this one. (One person only, $250, includes nutrition and fluids during and after trip. Good physical condition and previous canoe experience recommended. In-person interview required before trip booking.)
BOOKING DETAILS***********************
Please email or call at least 72 hours ahead for reservations. Your preferred trip date may not be available at short notice, so advance planning is recommended! All trips are personally guided, and include all gear and logistics, as well as post-paddle refreshments (locally brewed craft beer, hummus and flatbreads, charcuterie, fresh fruit, etc.) at the take out location. Trip bookings and reservations require a non-refundable (in most cases) 50% deposit at time of booking, with balance payable on trip date. Gift Certificates are available, with payment in full required for issuance of certificate. Trips will run rain or shine (except in severe weather), and can be booked 12 months of the year. Rescheduling options available in the event of questionable weather or flooding. Contact me through the "reserve a tour" page for additional questions!