Trinity River Kayak Co
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Trinity River Kayak Co offers a unique urban kayaking adventure on the Trinity River in the DFW area, providing a natural escape within the city. It's an excellent choice for families with older children or teens seeking an active outdoor experience, first-time kayakers/canoers, and groups looking for well-organized events. Beyond kayaking, the venue boasts a beautiful property with indoor and outdoor spaces, making it versatile for private parties and team-building events.
Key Highlights
- ✓Well-organized group events with friendly staff and additional activities like corn hole and giant tic-tac-toe.
- ✓Staff are friendly, attentive, and highly helpful with getting in and out of the river, especially beneficial for beginners.
- ✓Provides an excellent urban kayaking adventure, allowing opportunities to see wildlife such as turtles and swimming snakes.
- ✓Offers a peaceful, slow paddling experience amidst unexpected greenery within the DFW urban landscape.
- ✓Features a beautiful property with a cool and comfortable indoor conference room and a clean outdoor pavilion with great views, suitable for event hosting.
- ✓Run by dedicated owners, Jeff and Pam Varnell, who ensure exceptional experiences for both river trips and private events.
Standout Features
- ⭐Professional and attentive staff who are great with beginners and provide assistance.
- ⭐Opportunity to spot local wildlife like turtles and swimming snakes.
- ⭐The availability of an event venue with both indoor (cool, comfortable conference room) and outdoor (clean pavilion with views) spaces for private parties and group gatherings.
- ⭐Additional land-based activities like corn hole and giant tic-tac-toe for group events.
- ⭐The unique experience of finding natural greenery and peace within an urban environment.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Footwear:** Wear sturdy but old lace-up shoes that can get muddy and won't get stuck.
- →**Duration:** Be prepared for trips lasting 2.5 hours (6 miles with light current) to 4 hours (e.g., 'The Splash' with stops), depending on the route and individual pace.
- →**Physicality:** Expect to paddle actively and get a good upper body workout.
- →**Kayak Adjustments:** Ask for details on seat adjustments to ensure comfort before heading out.
- →**Cash for Tips:** Consider bringing cash to tip the staff who help with getting crafts in and out of the river, especially from muddy banks.
- →**Manage Expectations:** Understand it's an urban river experience, not a pristine wilderness setting.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Kayaking can be physically demanding; expect to paddle and get a good upper body workout, especially if facing wind or currents (e.g., 45 minutes of hard work on a 2.5-hour trip).
- ⚠The river banks can be very muddy, requiring appropriate footwear.
- ⚠The scenery, while offering greenery, is an urban setting and not a pristine wilderness experience; be prepared to see some less appealing or 'smelly' parts.
- ⚠It's not a 'Colorado experience', managing expectations for an urban river is important.
Price & Value
Specific pricing is not mentioned in the reviews. However, the consistent 5-star ratings and descriptions of well-organized events, friendly staff, and unique urban adventure suggest a high perceived value for the experience. The need for 'CASH to Tip' implies an additional, expected cost for staff assistance.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews. Given the nature of kayaking and getting in/out of river from potentially muddy banks, direct inquiry would be necessary for specific mobility needs.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •No explicit food policy for kayaking trips is mentioned. The presence of a 'conference room' and 'outdoor pavilion' for events suggests catering or food options for private bookings, but not for general kayaking adventures.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking details are not explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not explicitly mentioned for general kayaking trips. However, the ability to host 'team-building events' and 'group events' suggests they can accommodate larger parties efficiently, spreading participants across the river.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Staff are described as 'friendly and helpful getting in and out of the river' and 'attentive', which contributes to a safe experience for participants, especially beginners.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Families with very young children who cannot paddle for extended periods (2.5-4 hours).
- • Individuals expecting a completely pristine, wilderness-like river experience without any urban elements.
- • Those who are highly averse to mud or potential 'sad' and 'smelly' parts of an urban waterway.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Private Group Rental - The Blast
$50 per personPrivate group rental for 10 people or more. Minimum charge of $500.
Private Group Rental - Double Rush or Iron Man
$75 per personPrivate group rental for 10 people or more. Minimum charge of $750.
Full Day Rental
Call for pricingDuration: Full Day
Full day rental options for Single Boat, Double Boat, or Canoe. Call for weekly rental information and pricing.
Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB)
Pay for shuttle onlyCustomers can bring their own boat and only pay for the shuttle service.
Includes:
- •Shuttle service
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Sunset/Moonlight Picnic Paddle
Check website for next adventure
2 miles (2-3 hours) from TRKC through Hidden Lake to Secret Island. Opportunity to watch a sunset while picnicking and paddle back under the moonlight.
Elm Fork Pavilion Event Center Rental
Year round
$750 for 3 hour minimum, $200 security deposit, additional hours $200/hour.
Pavilion rental for events. Includes 1 hour setup prior to event. All events conclude by 10 p.m.
🍎Food Policy
- • Alcohol is allowed on river trips (please drink responsibly).
- • For Elm Fork Pavilion rentals, alcohol is permitted.
- • For Elm Fork Pavilion rentals, customers can use their own caterers or pick one of theirs; the company does not sell or serve food or drink.
- • Food Trucks are permitted for Elm Fork Pavilion rentals.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Paddle orientation provided.
- • Trips designed for quick and safe water entry.
- • Liability waivers are required.
- • Guests are asked to drink responsibly if consuming alcohol.
📅Booking Policy
- • Book online reservations at www.trinityriverkayak.com.
- • Walk-ins are subject to availability.
- • Reservations are recommended.
- • For private group rentals (10+ people), advanced reservations require emailing info@trinityriverkayak.com.
- • For Elm Fork Pavilion rentals, a $200 security deposit is due after a signed agreement.
🚗Parking Information
- • Parking for 70 cars available at Elm Fork Pavilion.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 13 reviews)
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
- Great for birthday parties (mentioned in 4 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Cissi Patterson, MBA. - Real Estate BROKER
6 months agoI recently attended a team-building event at Trinity River Kayak and had an amazing time! From the friendly welcome sign to the fun activities like kayaking, corn hole, and giant tic-tac-toe, everything was well-organized. The conference room was cool and comfortable, perfect for escaping the Texas heat. The outdoor pavilion was clean with great views, making our day extra special. Highly recommend for group events! @cissiknowesnewhomes
Lexi C
2 years agoI had an amazing time on this urban kayaking adventure. We did The Blast and it took us about three hours. We did stop many times to take pictures and look at animals. We saw many turtles and a few swimming snakes. The staff was very friendly and helpful getting in and out of the river. Can’t wait to do more River Run Trips! Adventure is out there! 🛶
Danielle Rosado-Rosenberg
2 years agoIt was such a nice ride. So nice to see greenery in the DFW area. 6 miles took us 2.5 hrs. There wasn’t much current and the wind was against us, so it was hard work for about 45 minutes of the ride but you never know what nature will bring on day of! Staff was friendly and attentive :)
Photo & Video Services Dallas-Fort Worth-Texas
3 years agoGreat people, very attentive and helpful. Excellent experience for those new to canoeing and kayaking. We did The Splash and it took us 4 hours, but we made several short stops along the very MUDDY banks of the Trinity. Wear sturdy but old lace up shoes that won’t get stuck in the mud. Lots of peaceful, slow paddling with slow current. You WILL have to paddle, you will get some good upper body exercise😜Be sure to get details on seat adjustments or the kayaks. The scenery is “nice”…but be ready to see the “sad” and smelly parts…it is an URBAN setting and NOT the COLORADO experience 😎bring some CASH to Tip the guys helping yank the craft in and out of the mud🤪
Angie Huff
3 months agoThis place is more than just a kayak company! The property is beautiful and there is an event venue with indoor and outdoor space to utilize. If you are looking for a place to host weddings, receptions , graduation parties, birthday parties or team building events, this is your place! The owners Jeff and Pam Varnell are amazing to work with and will ensure that you have an exceptional time whether you are floating down the Trinity or hosting a party! Highly recommend.