Free Kayaking

May 24 — October 5, 2025

The Downtown Boathouse offers sit-on-top kayaks for public use in the protected Hudson River embayment north of Pier 26 on the west side of Manhattan. Our free kayaking program provides an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to get out on the water, experience our waterfront from a different perspective, and see how far we’ve come in cleaning up the Hudson River.

Weekend Hours

May 24 — Oct. 5: Saturdays & Sundays 10:00 am — 4:30 pm*
We’ll be closed Sunday Aug. 10.

Weekday Evening Hours

June 17 — Aug. 14: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 pm — 7:30 pm*
Aug. 19 — Aug. 28: Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:30 pm — 7:15 pm*

Holiday Hours

Memorial Day 5/26: 10:00 am — 4:30 pm*
Juneteenth 6/19: 1:30 pm — 7:30 pm*
Labor Day 9/1: 10:00 am — 4:30 pm*

*Closing time is when the last boats go out so plan on arriving earlier in order to kayak.

BE SURE TO CHECK THE CALENDAR FOR EXACT DATES AND SCHEDULED CLOSINGS.

We don’t take reservations, so arrive early for shorter lines and to ensure you get a chance to kayak.

No previous kayaking experience is necessary, but you must know how to swim. Our volunteers will give you basic paddling instructions, help you select and adjust your life vest, and assist you getting in and out of a kayak safely from our floating dock.

You will need to sign a waiver each time you kayak. We have print copies at the boathouse but you can preview the waiver here.

Prepare to get wet below the waist but we provide free lockers, locks, and changing areas so you can store your belongings while you paddle. There’s an outdoor shower if you need to rinse off after kayaking.

Children are welcome to kayak, as long as a parent or legal guardian is present. Children 12 or younger share a double kayak with an adult; anyone 13 – 18 years old can paddle alone in a single kayak.

Once you’re on the water, you must stay within the boundaries marked by buoys between the piers, come back after you’ve paddled for 20 minutes, and follow any instructions from our volunteers.

Groups are welcome, but we ask that you limit your group to no more than 10 people so you don’t overwhelm the public program. Your group will line up with everyone else and wait your turn. If it’s not busy, you may all get out on the water at the same time, but there are no guarantees. If you represent a youth, special needs or underserved community group or nonprofit, email groups@downtownboathouse.org to inquire about options.

See our kayaking FAQ for answers to other questions, and our calendar for the 2025 schedule.

We're sorry, but we don't accommodate animals in our boats for safety reasons.

Volunteer With Us!

Our program is entirely run by our terrific volunteers, who explain basic paddling skills, help with life vests, manage the dock, ensure participants are kayaking safely in the embayment, take care of the equipment, and much more. If you’re interested in joining us, we’d love your help! We offer volunteer orientation sessions every Sunday at 11:00 am.

Some of the benefits of volunteering at the Downtown Boathouse are:

Training Workshops: Opportunities to improve your kayaking skills, develop advanced techniques, and try out our decked kayaks.

Friends and Family Events: Participate in volunteer appreciation days, potluck meals, boathouse paddling times, and social events open to our volunteers and their guests.

Guided Trips: Join us for trips beyond the embayment to destinations around New York’s Harbor once you’ve completed skills training sessions.

Check out our volunteer info page for more details and to sign up for our email list—or just introduce yourself when you visit the boathouse.