Canoe Rental Under Key Bridge in Georgetown DC
Paddle the Potomac by Key Bridge with a 1–4 hour canoe rental
Duration
1 hour, 2 hour or 4 hour
Includes
Canoe, oars, life jackets
Highlights
Rent a stable, easy-to-handle canoe at Key Bridge Boathouse and paddle the Potomac River near Georgetown. Choose a 1, 2, or 4 hour rental and enjoy views around the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge.
- Choose a 1, 2, or 4 hour canoe rental
- Paddle beneath the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge
- Share a 2-seat canoe with a friend or family member
- Bring a small child under 30 pounds seated on the floor between seats
- Use on-site lockers and rent a lock for $2
- Arrive 10 minutes early since late returns may incur a late fee
What's Included
- Canoe
- Oars for 2
- Life jackets
Things to know
Canoes have two seats, a 600-pound max capacity, and require signed float plan/agreement forms for minors based on age. There is no customer parking on site.
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at least 48 hours before your reservation for a full refund or credit. Full refund or credit if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
FAQs
No. There is no customer parking on site, so plan ahead to arrive on time.
Bring water and consider a dry bag to help keep items dry. Dress appropriately since you will get a little wet.
Yes. Lockers are available on site, and you can rent a lock for $2 when you check in.
Meeting details
3500 Water Str. NW, Washington DC 20007
More about the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge
Paddling out from Georgetown's waterfront, the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge rises before you as one of the most iconic sights on the Potomac River. Connecting Georgetown in Washington, DC to Rosslyn, Virginia, the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge carries the name of the lawyer and poet who penned the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" while watching the bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814. Slipping beneath its graceful arches in a canoe offers a perspective most visitors never experience, with the river quiet around you, the city humming softly in the distance, and the bridge framing the skyline overhead.
The canoe rental from the Key Bridge Boathouse puts you right at the foot of this historic span, making it the natural centerpiece of your time on the water. As you paddle, you can drift toward the bridge's stone piers, look up at the broad arches overhead, and feel the cool air rising off the Potomac. The contrast is striking: above, traffic rolls between DC and Virginia, while below, herons glide along the shoreline and rowing shells slip past. Looking downstream, the Watergate complex and the Kennedy Center come into view, and upstream the wooded banks lead toward the rapids near Three Sisters Islands. The Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge anchors the whole scene, a steady landmark that helps you get your bearings on the river.
This experience is perfect for couples looking for an unhurried afternoon, families introducing kids to paddling in calm water, and travelers who want to see DC from an angle the monuments crowd never does. History lovers will appreciate floating near a bridge named for the author of the national anthem, while photographers will find the arches of the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge an irresistible backdrop at golden hour. Whether you have an hour to spare or want to linger longer, paddling beneath the Francis Scott Key Memorial Bridge turns a simple canoe rental into a quintessentially Washington memory.
