KAYAKING

Home / KAYAKING

GUIDED KAYAK ADVENTURES

Discover Vermont’s waterways drifting down a beautiful section of a river, or on a jaw dropping flat-water lake. The Killington Woodstock and Ludlow region has many great waterways to tour by kayak, whether you’re looking for a scenic paddle, run white-water rapids or even to try a new sport. Kayaks are a picture-perfect way to view wildlife or spend a beautiful afternoon. Our kayaking adventures are very flexible and can accommodate all ability levels, with beginners especially welcome. We can personalize any trip you would like to try. ATA’s adventures are intended to be fun, making the most of every trip.

Our guided kayaking tours are designed for guests seeking a half-day or a full day of river adventure. We provide a 1- to 3-hour local pond or river kayak tour for guests seeking a half-day adventure. The typical full-day adventure consists of a 5- to 7-hour kayaking trip with a picnic lunch (not included). Briefly basic paddling skills are taught on-river just prior to putting in with more advanced stokes during the trip. New to kayaking? Try our lake introduction to kayaking and paddle techniques. Pre-kayaking, a popular combination with guests is our 1-hour cave adventure.

Appalachian Trail Adventures has the region’s largest kayak rental fleet serving the Killington, Rutland, Chittenden and Woodstock areas, with 20 top-quality single-person kayaks. We cater to single travelers, couples, families, wedding parties, bus tours, summer camps, school groups and businesses saying “thank you” to their employees.

Kayaking rates vary depending on group size, areas visited and trip duration, below are just a few examples of rivers and lake we run. Kayaking can also be combined with a hiking, caving trip or sightseeing tour to make an adventure you will recall for years! For current prices, see ATA’s Guided Day Adventure rates. For group availability and for more information contact John; though he might be out leading a tour, so please leave a message or use our reservation form to book your adventure.

ATA Founder & Guide John with Mascot Aelous

There are five rivers we run regularly in the Killington, Woodstock, Pittsfield, Ludlow and Rutland region, all with different personalities, from flat moving water to class II rapids.

Our most popular river trip,the winding river is a fun 1- to 3-mile flat moving water, with no technical rapids, along a scenic section of the local river.
ATA’s premiere lake location has a jaw-dropping view of a 741-acre lake that is 2 miles across at its widest point, and surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest.
Top-quality kayaks, very stable and maneuverable; all equipment provided, with professional guides to coach and go over paddle techniques during trip.
Depending on flow rates and group size, trips last 1- to 3- hours, with average run time being 2 hours.
Convenient walk to drop-in location from downtown Woodstock or a central meeting location in Killington.
Kayaking can be combined with a hiking adventure, caving trip or sightseeing tour to make a full day’s adventure you will remember for years to come!

Lakes

woodstock river

winding river

whitewater river

Lake Kayaking Adventures

Chittenden Reservoir

Just 20 minutes away is ATA’s premiere lake location with a jaw dropping view, the Chittenden Reservoir is a 741-acre surrounded by Green Mountain National Forest, it is two miles across at the widest point. With over a seven-mile shoreline it has many coves and small bays ideal to explore by kayak. The deepest spot is in the reservoir is forty feet. The reservoir was completed in 1909 by damming East Creek for power generating purposes. Chittenden Reservoir is extremely popular with outdoor lovers. The lake and surrounding forest are home to many animals including Moose, Loons, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Beavers, Black Ducks, Mergansers, Black Bear, White-Tailed Deer, Red Fox, River Otter and many more.

Lefferts Pond

Lefferts Pond covers over fifty acres and is ten to twelve feet deep located in the Green Mountain National Forest. Lefferts Pond is a beautiful providing a magnificent view of Pico Peak. A bird lover’s paradise with over 115 species tallied. As a bonus, moose, otter, beaver and mink are frequently seen around the pond. Moose watching is a favorite among those visiting the area.

Kent Pond

The beautiful local Kent Pond takes approximately an hour to kayak, covering 71 acres, with a maximum depth of 15th feet making this ideal for beginners and first timers. The pond itself, although relatively small and a popular fishing site from both the impoundment and by boat, has provided several surprises for bird enthusiasts. a man-made impoundment at an elevation of 1560 feet with views of Pico and Killington Peaks. In 1959, the Vermont Parks Department purchased property as part of a program of building fishing ponds in the State of Vermont. In 1965 Kent Brook was dammed to create Kent Pond; the lake was stocked and open for fishing.

For current prices, see ATA’s Guided Day Adventure rates.

RIVER KAYAKING ADVENTURES

UPPER WINDING RIVER

Guests favorite adventure lasting 1- to 2-hour depending on group size is a fun 2 miles of flat calm water, with no technical rapids, along a very scenic section of the local river with beaver dams to paddle over. Very little to no paddling experience is needed for this river, making it perfect for families and first timers. With 114 bird species documented in this wetland, this adventure includes wildlife viewing .

LOWER WINDING RIVER

Guests second favorite river, the 2- to 3- hour lower sections is a fun, 3-mile section of flat moving water, with no technical rapids, along a scenic part of the local river with beaver dams to paddle over. This narrow river has obstacles such as tree branches to avoid, making it fun to paddle. Very little paddling experience is needed for this river.

WOODSTOCK RIVER

The 2-hour Woodstock River is a fun, 3.5-mile stretch of flat moving water, with no technical rapids, along a scenic section of a much wider river. With a convenient walk to drop-in location from downtown Woodstock it’s a favorite for tourist staying in Woodstock Village, Quechee and White River Junction.

WHITEWATER RIVER

For those seeking a real adventure, John’s favorite river contains white-water rapids from class I to II, with a very fun flume paddlers just love. Paddling experience is needed for this white-water river. With multiple put-in and take-out locations, any duration can be requested, even trips with a picnic lunch (not supplied) at a swimming hole. We provide kayaks, spray skirts, paddles, PFDs, dry bags and helmets.

FULL-DAY FLAT WATER PADDLE

The lower river can be extended to make a 5-hour kayaking adventure with a lunch stop at the local bakery for delicious sandwiches and sweets. This narrow river has obstacles such as tree branches to avoid, it’s not the typical kayak paddle people have in mind, making it fun to paddle.

For current kayking prices, see ATA’s Guided Day Adventure rates.