Spring and Summer are here, and canoeing is a great option during the dog days AND once we head into fall and the leave start to change. Trapper John’s Canoeing is about 15-20 minutes south of the city on Big Darby Creek and is a great way to spend a summer morning or afternoon.
Whether you’re looking for physical activity or to relax on the water, you can pick a trip that fits your plan. You may bring small personal coolers with food and beverage (no Styrofoam, glass bottles, or alcohol).
No children under age 6. Ages 6-12 are $5.00 each for any canoeing or kayak trip. Trip outings begin around 9:00 a.m. up until 5:00 p.m., in time to have all guests off the creek by 6:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Trapper John’s Trips
The Sampler
Approximately 1-2 Hours, 7 days a week – $18-$25/person
The Upper Trip
Approximately 2-3 Hours
This trip has limited availability until 11 am at a rate of $26-$40 per person
The Lower Trip
Approximately 2-4 Hours
This canoe trip is offered 7 days a week until 1:00 p.m., at a rate of $26-$40 per person.
The 9 Mile Trip
Approximately 4-5 Hours
This combines the Upper and Sampler Trip, with the canoe livery half way between for your convenience. This is a journey so pack a light lunch and a cold drink and enjoy the day. 4-5 hours, offered 7 days a week, departing before 10:00 a.m., at $32-$44 per person. Call ahead to book.
The Full Day Trip
Approximately 5-6 Hours
This combines the Upper and Lower Trip with the canoe livery halfway in between. Pack a lunch and drinks. This canoe trip is only offered departing before 10:00 a.m., at $35-$50 per person. Call ahead to book.
Food trucks are available on select weekends through the summer.
Big Darby At Dusk
Departing around 7 p.m., arrive by 6:15 pm. This is a guided tour with reservations required. Night tours require some canoeing experience and will add a different spin on a typical canoe trip. Cost is $30 per person.
June 2nd
June 16th
June 30th
July 14th
July 28th
August 4th
Paddle to the Pitch
Paddle the Olentangy river and catch a Columbus soccer game, all in one Afternoon! take a relaxing kayak trip and support Columbus as they take on New York City, Nashville and Charlotte.
Depart @5:00 and Kickoff @7:30. $125 per person and includes shuttle, rental, and ticket to the game.
June 3rd vs Charlotte
June 24th vs Nashville
July 8th vs New York
Pet Days at Trapper Johns
Do you pets love to be on the water? Bring them to Trapper Johns for Pet Days to enjoy The Sampler trip.
June 10th
June 24th
July 8th
July 22nd
August 5th
August 19th
See requirements, rules, and advice for bringing your dog for Pet Days.
BYO(Boat)
Private boaters are welcome. Shuttle pricing $15-$22; Take Out Access is $5 for any take out spot.
Season passes are available!
Trapper John’s Canoe Livery
7141 London-Groveport Rd
Grove City, Ohio 43123
614.877.4321
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Trapper John’s Canoe Livery
7141 London-Groveport Rd
Grove City, OH 43123
614-877-4321
Val says
Sorry you find the rules limiting. We’ve gone canoeing and haven’t found the rules to be surprising as they are clearly stated on the website (no alcohol, no heavy coolers, small individual lunchbox style coolers with a few cold drinks and snacks). It’s technically illegal to have beer on the river (as a State owned, public river), so it’s understandable that they need to protect their business from liability.
MW says
Owner is a lunatic. Has arbitrary rules regarding acceptable cooler size, number of beers, or what food you can bring that he applies differently to everyone. Save yourself the frustration and go somewhere else.
Val Cannell says
Hi – I’m not affiliated with the business, so I’m not sure that they have an interpreter (as it’s not a very big company). Most of the tours are self-guided, and while the night tours are guided, they are also in the dark, so I’m not sure if it would be helpful. I think they are mostly just guided to ensure no one gets lost or separated in the dark – not because it’s a narrated tour. You should use the contact form on the website to check with them. https://www.trapperjohnscanoeing.com/contact
RaVen says
Do you provide ASL interpreter for Deaf customers on guided canoeing tours?
admin says
Thanks for the tip!
Mike says
Leave your beer at home, they are cracking down hard this year.
elder lauderdale says
want to bring some men from my church.For canoing in oct. of this year