Summer is the perfect time of year to do some floatin’ on the river! The City of Wichita Park & Recreation office and SUPWichita are going to be offering a series of sunrise and sunset kayak tours along the Arkansas River this summer/fall.
What a treat it will be to enjoy the sunrise or sunset on the water in Wichita and float past the Keeper of the Plains.
You won’t need any equipment to participate – the fee will cover your rental. You also won’t need prior experience, because each float begins with a short training. (You will want to make sure you’re up for the exercise, because even though the float is leisurely, it’s still a strenuous activity that lasts a little over an hour.)
This is a great family event for ages 12 and older!
In addition to the scheduled floats, the City website says they are going to have “open float rental opportunities.” See the Kayak rental information below!
Kayak Floats on the Arkansas River
Whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, there’s a float for you!
Sunset Kayak Tours
You’ll paddle at a leisurely pace from Cowtown to the Wichita Boathouse and see the Keeper of the Plains like you’ve never seen it before! Afterwards, gather for food and music and talk about your adventure.
The fee for both the Sunrise & Sunset tours is $35 and includes instruction, equipment rental, food, beverages and music, and transportation back to the starting place. The sunset tours are scheduled for the following dates/times (and pre-registration is required):
- Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 7:30 pm
- Friday, June 26, 2020 at 7:30 pm
- Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm
- Friday, July 31, 2020 at 7:15 pm
- Friday, August 21, 2020 at 6:45 pm
- Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Space is limited, and pre-registration is required for the tours. Signed waivers are also required before you participate. Register online at the Park & Recreation department website here.
Sunrise Kayak Tours
As with the sunset tours, the Kayak Sunrise Tours include a brief time with instruction, a leisurely (but still strenuous) paddling tour to the Keeper of the Plains and back, and pre-registration is required. Breakfast on the Wichita Boathouse deck is included afterwards. The fee for the sunrise tours is also $35.
So far I only see one Sunrise Paddle Board and Kayak Tour scheduled:
- Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 6:15 am
Register online at the Park & Recreation website here.
Glow Kayak Tours
Ages 16 and up can enjoy a moonlit (and glowstick lit) kayak tour on the Arkansas river. You and the kayaks will be glowing with lights and glow sticks as you make your way to the Keeper of the Plains to watch the Ring of fire lighting from the water. The fee for the glow tours is also $35. The glow tours are scheduled for the following dates/times (and pre-registration is required):
- Saturday, June 20, 2020 at 8 pm
- Friday, July 24, 2020 at 8 pm
- Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 8 pm
- Friday, September 4, 2020 at 8 pm
- Friday, September 18, 2020 at 8 pm
Senior Tour
For anyone age 55+ who would like an easier introduction to kayak tours, there is a senior tour scheduled. You should still consider this leisurely paddle a strenuous activity and make sure you’re up for it, but if you don’t think you can make it both ways (to the Keeper and back), they have you covered.
Friday, July 17, 2020 at 6 pm
As with the other tours, pre-registration is required. The price is $35 per person. Get your tickets online here.
Kayak Rentals
If the sunrise and sunset tour dates don’t work for you, the City has also scheduled open float times in the coming months. You’ll receive some basic instruction on paddling techniques and safety, then take off for a leisurely float down the Little Arkansas River. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Park under Kellogg at 605 S. Wichita. Parking is free there.
The price for kayak rental will be $10 per hour. They’ll only accept cash, so be sure to bring some with you.
Kayak rentals are cash-only.
*The river has been closed in the past due to high flow rates, so this activity may be cancelled. Be sure you double-check before heading out!
Kayak rental will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays from June 15 to August 31. No pre-registration is available; it’s strictly first-come, first-served. (And cash-only.)
This is a great idea for a fun date activity.
Of course, the unpredictable Kansas weather could get in the way of the best plans, so since this is an outdoor activity you’ll want to double-check that these kayak floats down the Arkansas River are still on if the weather looks iffy.
Make sure to check the City of Wichita Park and Recreation Facebook page for any updates!
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