A great way to maximize your fun at Chimney Rock Campground is to get out on the Upper Iowa River! Our stretch of the Upper Iowa River was named as one of the Top 100 Adventures in North America by National Geographic and has tied for #1 best American river for kayaking!
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(Reservation Required 24 hours in Advance)
(Reservation Required 24hrs in Advance)
Our canoe and kayak rentals include a shuttle ride upriver from the campground, so you can float back at your own pace and finish your trip right where you started — back at Chimney Rock. Please note all boats are due back by 6pm
Our tubing river trips start at the campground, last two hours approximately. Start your leisurely float at any point in the day and get picked up at 4pm at the Bluffton Canoe Upper Landing Access Point (where you’ll be shuttled back to the campground. PICKUP TIME IS A FIRM 4PM).
Kendallville – 13.9 river miles (approx. a 6 hr float)
Plymouth Rock – 9 miles (approx. a 4 hr float)
Dailies Bridge – 5 miles (approx. a 2 hr float)
Float times do not apply to tubes!
All canoe, kayak trips are one flat fee per watercraft, regardless of the length of river trip chosen.
$60+tax
SINGLE | $45+tax
TANDEM (Double) | $60+tax
TUBE | $25+tax
COOLER TUBE | $15+tax
Tube float down river with a 4pm pick up time.
Kayaks & Canoes | $30+tax
Must make reservation in advance. Personal boats must be at our campground at 6pm the night before your reservation!
We have 1 tandem Kayak available to rent for $65.
MINIMUM shuttle fee $80.
Non-camper Fee $10 Each Boat.
All watercraft (boats, tubes) are due back by 6pm.
PLEASE NOTE: We do NOW offer shuttle service for any personal boats. Reservations are required, and personal boats must be at the campground the night before at 6pm. All boat rentals include the drop off of customers at the boat launch, a life vest, and paddle, free of charge.
CONTRACT: When you reserve a canoe, kayak, or tube trip down the river online you agree to the service terms, which can be viewed here: https://campatchimneyrock.com/campground-policies/terms-conditions/
PAYMENT: When reserving a canoe, kayak, or tube trip you will pay for the reservation and be emailed a receipt. We require a credit card on file to book any rental for damage protection, and offer boating insurance for those booking far in advance. If you have questions regarding our policies please contact us at (563)-203-0653.
ANY SAME DAY RENTALS — must be confirmed by staff and will have an additional $20 service charge.
WATER LEVELS: If the water levels are too low, for the safety of our guests and our equipment, we will not launch the kayaks. Please check out the current river levels HERE.
The ideal levels for floating the Upper Iowa are between 4’ and 5’, with flow rates between 250 and 1000 cfps. We will not put people on the river if the water levels are over 5 ½’ due to safety concerns.
All river trips must be pre-scheduled. To schedule a reservation please call (563)-203-0653. Boating reservations could be made as far in advance as you’d like, however most individuals make reservation for boating two to three days before the camping reservation.
CHECK-INs: For check ins, We expect you to arrive at the office 30 mins before your boating reservation. We expect you to look over the equipment used during your river trip and report any issues with the equipment that arose – text (563) 203-0653. Staff will check the condition of the equipment, and if there are any issues you will be charged accordingly and provided photo and written documentation.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Chimney Rock Campground reserves the right to cancel rental agreements due to inclement or impending bad weather (high winds, storms, etc.). We know that plans can go astray. However, Chimney Rock Campground relies primarily on advance reservations and cancellations cannot always be filled. Refunds are not issued due to bad weather, unless the weather becomes unsafe. The determination as to whether or not the float is unsafe is under our discretion. You are welcome to either wait to book until the forecast is closer and you feel it is less likely to change or move your reservation to another day based on availability. Purchasing our Boating Insurance could help easy minds in the situation of weather. Boating insurance is $25 and covers 4 boats.
