Main Stream Canoes & Kayaks

I’ve been going here for years to rent canoes and kayaks. The staff is always helpful and friendly. The upper Farmington is always fun and beautiful. On my most recent trip I got a double kayak for my 6 year old daughter and myself. It was her first trip and she absolutely loved the rapids and scenery. Take snacks with you!

Great trip on the river today! Friendly staff, good rates, accommodating and knowledgeable. Went with our own kayaks and the shuttle service was simple and fast. We will be returning!

This place is under new ownership! Although I had never been here before I felt this was some pertinent information for others.
We had decided to kayak down the Farmington for a bachelorette party. We booked an appointment for 6. We requested kayak rentals for all 6 as well as a guide. I HIGHLY recommend going with a guide if you have never been before. The 6 of us had never been down the Farmington, nor had we been down through rapids. Most of us were a little nervous as we rode in the van on the way to the put in site. Our guide Mike was a huge help though and got us through it all. He directed us down the river and guided us newbies through the Class I and II rapids we came upon. Mike was very nice and also a hard worker. One thing we had never considered, and which made us glad we had chosen to book a guide was what happens when you dump your kayak (or it dumps you). In one particularly tricky spot two girls got dumped out of their kayaks. Both kayaks hurried down the rest of the rapids by themselves also with a good amount of water in them. Mike, after making sure the ladies were ok, went to retrieve the kayaks. He towed them back behind his own kayak, paddling like mad against the rapids. I am sure the trip would not have been as enjoyable and smooth without him.
We had a lot of fun and were all a little sad when we came to the end. We had been out on the river for three hours. It was really great! They did inform us that they still offers the «limo service.» If you bring your own kayak they will take you and it to whatever drop off site you want so you can go down yourself and then just pull out down the river where their building is and your car. I cannot wait to go again!

Equipment was only average condition. The detailed write up about the river and conditions on the website is solid, but the guide driving the van brought my 7 yo daughter and I to the upper Farmington with a low water level (i.e. challenging rapids when you are in a tandem with a child). If had not been an experienced kayaker, we would have been in the water several times and could easily have been hurt. If you are looking for a relaxing ride or are not experienced with rapids, don’t let them drop you at the upper Farmington site.

Really excellent. Helpful staff readied us for the trip, put us together with the right equipment, and made our entire experience easy and fun. Sadly, we had hoped to canoe on the river, but it was too low – the canoeing on the lake was beautiful, just right for us, and easy to get to thanks to the staff that led the way. Canoe rental plus other fees got us a full day of canoeing for about $ 50, and we ended the day at the lake’s beach, which was included in the cost. Will definitely return!

Go about once a year and the trip depends on how high the water on the Housatonic is. When the water is high the canoeing is more fun than when low. When the level is really low they take you somewhere else. This is not adventure canoeing/​kayaking but there are some modest rapids when the water is high. Have only used their canoes and have had fun on all of the trips. A nice way to spend an afternoon and then hit the Wandering Moose for some comfort food.
Somewhat more demanding that the canoe place in Farmington and a bit more scenic.

Last weekend I tried my kayak using Main Stream’s limo services. They drive you up the river 6 miles or 12 miles with your kayak or a rental. They drop you off and then you’re on your own. We paid $ 20 per person. Too bad they don’t offer discounts. At $ 40 for a couple with their own kayaks that’s on the pricey side for a one way trip.
The staff are helpful. The guy working the counter came out and helped my boyfriend load the kayaks up onto the roof of the car when he say him struggling.
The return docking area can use a bigger sign. As we were headed back my biggest fear was missing our return spot. I had some trouble getting back because the water was high. I wish they would throw some sand in the landing and make it an easy return.
If you plan on making a trip down the Farmington River make sure you give these guys a call. They’re honest and extremely helpful. They ask you what your skill level is and if the water level is appropriate. If you have your own kayaks you can generally handle the rapids.
They suggest you make reservations but its not necessary, especially if you are using your own equipment. You can make reservations online if you want. I’ve used the service a few times and it seems whenever I show up the guy at the front calls a driver up and he shows up and takes us down. There isn’t a long wait or anything, supposedly the van leaves every 1hour but in reality when a customer shows up, you pay and then they take you down once your kayak is loaded.