Canoe Music City

Had to wait around an hour because they were behind trying to launch a 120-​person group. Operator said they had warned us about this on the phone when we made the reservation — nope, not true. Kayak leaked slowly, which was super. Ended up with the back half full of water by the end. At the end point they didn’t have anyone waiting so an employee from another outfit — Foggy Bottom — actually helped us out. We waited around 45 minutes until the ranger offered to drive back and see where the shuttle was (they weren’t answering the phones). Eventually a shuttle came. drivers munching on cheeseburgers with no apologies.

I just visited Canoe Music City for the first time on Saturday and can say that I would definitely be back and book with this canoe company. As others have stated there are several canoe rental companies on the same street but the big advantage is their canoes have backs to the seats so your lower back is not killing you on a 7 mile trip. The staff was nice and handled everything for our large group. Thank you for a fun weekend.

We rented from here about a month ago but I forgot to put my review online. Everything went very smoothly. Everyone was very nice. We rented a canoe and two kayaks. The canoes were in nice shape. It was really hot out and I was glad we weren’t in a metal canoe. When we rented from another company they made us crowd into their van with so many other people. With this company, they took our party out in the van with plenty of room to spare. I just made another reservation for this weekend. Here’s hoping I can give another great review.

This is the place where I met the nicest group of people. They came into my life when I really needed a change, a fresh start. I was blessed to have that happen and Canoe Music City definitely brought us all together. We have plans to canoe there again soon!

We had a great time on the river but did not have a great experience with this company.
We had 5 people in our group and requested a 3 seater canoe, when we got to the river they only brought 2 two seaters. We had to wait for an additional 20 minutes for the guy to go back to get the right canoe.
They also didn’t help bring the canoes to the river. He dropped us off at the road, we had to get the canoes off the trailer, and we had to walk the 2 giant canoes down a long staircase to the river. We were first timers so that was also frustrating, especially bc other companies would bring the canoe to the water for you. Then when he picked us we had to put the canoes on the trailer ourselves.
Also, when we were leaving they were harassing us to provide a local phone number as oppose as our out of state number. They couldn’t even provide a reason for needing the phone number.

the couple that runs the place are very nice. i called ahead to make arrangements for a group. one in our group was bringing their own kayak, they said they would either tow their kayak if there was room on the trailer or the person could follow behind to the drop in point and then they would take them and their kayak back to their car at no additional charge. lovely i thought. upon arrival the same thing was said to us by both the man and woman running the place. nothing like a confirmation. we enjoyed the river and the back rests in the canoes. once arriving at the take out point we were told by one of the return van drivers (teenagers) that they couldnt take our friend or their kayak and we should wait for the next van. 2 vans later we phoned the couple that runs the place. they said they would not tow them or their kayak back. we reminded them of the reservation/​confirmation and the conversations that took place but the dumb game was played. canoe music city is not staffed properly as we waited after 3 buses and calling a friend to come and get us we noticed quite a few people not happy with the way the pick ups were being handled. canoe music city need not rent that many boats out when they can not accommodate that many people. with all of this being said, after i phoned the following monday to voice my complaint james was very kind and apologetic and even went as far as to offer a free canoe and kayak rental.
amber sterling

Good times!
As a flaming New York queer visiting Nashville, I was a bit hesitant to venture out to the boonies for a river trip alone. I may have had visions of «Deliverance»…
But I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful all the staff and other kayakers were! Staff was incredibly polite and upbeat and the people on the river were all having a great time (even offered me beer!). It was a busy weekend on the river and despite the fact I was surround by boozing teenage boys and some red neck-​y looking older guys I had no problems. If anything red necks are my new favorite people-​we share an affinity for drinking, floating down rivers, tans, pickup trucks and live a non-«traditional» lifestyle in the minds of most Tennesseans. If you want to get hammered and float or get some exercise and paddle hard, this place got ya’. While they are booze friendly they also cater to families and those looking for a more wholesome trip. For a truly peaceful trip and to avoid the crowds try going on a weekday or when the weather isn’t that great.
This place is one of three similar small businesses that offer canoe and kayak rentals down this portion of the Harpeth river. All similar prices and mostly similar trips but I’ve only been here. The scenery is nice, not the best in the US or anything, but if you’re staying or live in Nashville it’s absolutely worth checking out every summer. It’s a very calm and easy river, it’s only brisk at like 2 points, so skill or athleticism isn’t a must.
Only complaint is they dropped me off at the wrong point. I thought I was going on the 3.5 hour trip and wound up on the 5.5 hour 11 mile trip which has a bit too long for what I wanted to do for the day. I paddled hard most of the way so the unexpected 1 ½ extra hours of paddling was starting to kick my ass at the end. Honest mistake on their part but heads up to all new comers to double check when you’re dropped you off.
KEY TIPS: Call ahead of time for water level and reservations. AND TIP YOUR SHUTTLE DRIVER!

Sooo fun! I love going kayaking/​canoeing and music city canoe is a great place to rent from. They have the best prices and have back rest on the canoes! Last time I went the water level was extremely low and I do wish that they would have informed us before they rented us the canoes/​kayaks. But that would be my only complaint, maybe it would be a good idea to call And check on the water level before u go! It’s so awesome to get out of the city and relax on the river!

LOVED this! My brother mentioned going canoeing and I was open to it. I did a Disneyland canoe with a bunch of people and that sucked, but he said this will be nice and chill.
He was right!
I made reservations for about 10AM on a Saturday the day before. It honestly seemed like a great time to go. There were a good amount of people, but nothing like several hours later when we finished our 7 miles and saw cars parked everywhere along the road on the way back. They take cash and major credit cards.
The staff and drivers were very friendly (bring cash to tip the drivers!). The canoes were from 2010 and had backrests and cupholders. Very nice to relax in.
Lots of fun small rapids. Places to wade and swim as well. Some wildlife. I felt totally rested the whole time, even when we spun around or got stuck.
We brought a lunch and some beverages in a cooler. Prepped with sunscreen and bug repellant as well. And brought trash bags because keeping nature cool is picking up trash even if it isn’t yours.
One downside might be people smoking while canoeing, but that has nothing to do with rating and just me being irritated at people who chain smoke on the river.

So. Much. Fun.
Most people wouldn’t call me an «outdoorsy» kind of gal (myself included) but you can’t avoid having a blast canoeing down the Harpeth with a motley crew of friends. For around $ 35 per canoe, you can enjoy the luxurious comfort of having comfy back rests and even cup holders to boot! Two «cabrewers» per canoe means that a little teamwork must come into play or a very understanding mate who doesn’t mind doing all the paddling?
Either way, the staff is super friendly and accommodating and the 3 miles route down the river is the stuff that sitcoms are made of. There is a endearing comradre amongst canoers and at times this trip can be very relaxing. I even jumped off a 10 foot rock and into the water for a little adventure!
Be sure to veer off to the right near the end to check out the waterfall too. You can climb it but be careful when you jump into the water… it’s about 3 feet deep in many places!
TIP: Pack a healthy supply of booze and food as it is easy to meander on the water for hours. We were on the river for around 6 hours.
TIP 2: Dogs are welcome as there were many pups in canoes along the way!

The rental staff was friendlier than I remembered. They also have brand new, comfortable canoes with back rests and cup holders. The price increased three bucks, but it’s worth it for the improvements.
…
So, canoeing today was amazing. There was a heron that moved with us along the stream, gliding low over the water and settling on the bank until we floated within 10 ft, then spread it’s wings and leisurely led us to the next tangle of trees. We also saw a water snake wiggle across our path, a couple turtles, big fish, and huge trees bent and uprooted from the flood. There were no other people for hours so it peaceful enough to kick up my feet and gaze up at limestone bluffs and fluffy clouds…
If you haven’t been canoeing yet, you really need to. Canoe Music City is a great way to go.