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Paddleboarding and Kayaking on the Ohio River

With the Ohio River running along its southern border and multiple lakes and rivers throughout the area, Cincinnati is a great place to live for those who enjoy being out on the water for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more. Whether you are in search of quieter waters to begin a new outdoor hobby or are a seasoned paddling enthusiast, there are a range of options suitable for diverse skill levels and accessible throughout the Cincinnati area. Keep reading to learn more about paddleboarding on the Ohio River, kayaking or canoeing on serene lakes and other top spots for these activities.

5 Places for Paddleboarding, Kayaking and Canoeing in the Cincinnati Area

Want to enjoy a day out on the Ohio River and support a good cause with thousands of other paddlers? Are you interested in finding locations in the Cincinnati area where you can do some stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, as well as other outdoor activities? Here are several options that may be of interest!

1. Winton Lake at Winton Woods: Winton Woods is located in a northern suburb of Cincinnati. While there are many outdoor activities to enjoy at this park like golf or camping, you can also take a boat out on the lake during your afternoon visit or longer stay. Various boat rentals, such as pontoon, row and motor boats, are available here, as well as a launch for kayaks and paddleboards. If you are looking to learn how to paddle or improve your current skills, Great Parks also offers a “Learn to Paddle” program in late May through September, which is often hosted at this location. In addition to Winton Woods, explore even more paddling opportunities in other Great Parks locations here.
2. Cowan Lake at Cowan Lake State Park: Around 50 miles away from Cincinnati, Cowan Lake State Park may be the perfect choice for a paddleboarding adventure, especially for newer paddlers or those looking for a more relaxed setting. At this park, a 10-horsepower limit is in place, which may help support more enjoyable conditions for paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. Plus, the commissary at the Cowan Lake State Park Campground and the South Shore Marina offer different types of boat rentals. So, if you are in the early days of exploring different paddling options or just want to go on the water while visiting the area, this location may suit your needs.
3. Harsha Lake at East Fork State Park: Although there is no horsepower limit at this lake, as there is at Cowan Lake, many visitors still choose East Fork State Park for their various paddling excursions. In addition to the sheer size of the William H. Harsha Lake (over 2,000 acres), there are also eight different public boat ramps, including two that are designated for hand powered boats only. One of these hand powered boat launches is located at the Campground Beach and designated specifically for registered campers. While many hours can be spent paddleboarding on this lake as visitors for the day or vacationing campers, there are also many other activities to enjoy at this park, including hiking, biking and picnicking.
4. Little Miami River: In addition to popular trails, such as the Lunken Airport Trail, and the off-leash dog park, Otto Armleder Memorial Park also offers access to the Little Miami River for canoeing, kayaking or paddleboarding. Starting your paddleboarding journey here also enables you to reach the Ohio River, if you so desire.
5. Ohio River: Due to the traffic and strong currents, paddleboarding in some locations on the Ohio River can be best suited to more experienced paddlers. Located to the east and west of downtown Cincinnati respectively, both the Schmidt Boat Ramp and the Riverside Boat Ramp, offer access to this river. In fact, the Ohio River Paddlefest starts at this eastern destination and concludes at the Riverside location for the 9 mile adventure or the Public Landing for the 4.5 mile experience.

Whether you are hoping to explore all of the sections of the Ohio River Way – over 300 miles of water trail – or are just looking for a fun outdoor exercise to enjoy, you’ll find many incredible canoe, kayak and paddleboarding experiences to choose from in the Cincinnati area. Are the various opportunities for outdoor recreation just one of the reasons that you are interested in moving in or near Cincinnati? Contact our experienced leasing agents today for help with your search and to learn more about the many other incredible things to do here!