Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe

We had a prepaid reservation, booked with Alex at the boathouse location. We arrived, and the gentleman at the counter was unable to locate our information. Upon checking the computer, he confirmed the reservation and payment. However, because Alex had not properly documented the rental, the harried gentleman had to do some damage control with us and other groups behind us who had the same problem on this extremely busy summer day.
For a while, It was unclear as to whether or not there would be boats available to fulfill the reservation we had made.
We ultimately were able to get out on the water after a bit of a delay. The man at the counter, whose name I didn’t catch, was friendly and was as helpful as the situation allowed him to be. I can’t fault him or the business too much for the mistakes of one employee.
I would return, but I think I would call again the day prior to re-​confirm.

Went on a nice long paddle today. All the equipment is in good condition. The staff was friendly and super helpful. The guys helped me carry my paddle board down to the water and back up after! Thanks guys.

I visited this shop on a weekday morning with a couple of friends to rent a kayak. There were no other customers in the shop, the rental process was super chill, and the shop dude was nice (no annoying sales pitches).
Three of us rented a double kayak ($ 30– 2 hrs) and a single kayak ($ 25). At $ 9.17 per hour for each of us, it wasn’t expensive, but not a sweet deal, either. A totally fine price.
Minus one start for no bike parking out front, although once we got inside he did offer to let us park the bikes inside.
Like others have said, you carry your own boat to the river (about a two minute walk). That’s part of the experience!

Let’s bear in mind, I’m not reviewing the Willamette River, obviously that would get more stars… but after looking forward to my kayak day for quite some time, it ended up a bit of a disappointment. Soon after I arrived, a big group showed up. They close up the store when they send you on the water… so my last person couldn’t figure out what was happening.
They gave us three life jackets… two didn’t fit. They helped get the boat down the dock but we had no idea how to rig it to get it back up — you have to leave the boat behind while you walk to go get the guy. What if someone stole it?
Three of us attempted to go canoeing. There was no way three people could fit safely in that boat. So one just didnt go. They must have a better boat for that! Couldn’t we use that canoe?
It was a lovely day on the water. But next time, I will choose another location and/​or /​company for my canoeing/​kayaking needs.

This is to review the Ross Island Kayak Tour…
We booked the kayak tour for two of us on a Sunday at 10am. There were about 8 people total on the tour. We had never kayaked before and everyone else pretty much had some experience.
Big surprise but I didn’t pick it up very quickly! I struggled for a bit but luckily we had two tour guides and one of them, Patty, stayed back and helped me get my bearings. We eventually split into two groups and we pretty much got our own private river tour (after my late start, of course). PLUS I stayed dry!
Patty was amazing. She was patient and very helpful and all the tips she provided really made the whole experience easy. I was coasting down the river in no time. I would definitely take the tour again mainly because of Patty’s awesome encouragement & support! Thank you!

I can rent a tandem kayak for 8 hours for $ 50. I can use that kayak to paddle up to Ross Island and have a private picnic with my boyfriend. If you are sneaky, you could probably even have sex in the bushes.
$ 50 well spent any day.

We rented kayaks for ½ day and had a great time on the Willamette touring Ross Island and downtown– on our own schedule. It’s a fun way to see Portland from a different perspective, plus is it surprisingly affordable. They give you wheels to help you transport them the short distance to the water so its all very convenient and easy. Will definitely do it again once the sun come out again!

The staff working here were seriously the rudest people I’ve met in Portland. My family and I came and rented three tandem kayaks. From the moment we arrived, we were all excited for our day, but the grouchy guy behind the counter immediately barked at us for parking in the wrong lot. Even though we were the only ones in the shop, he was put out that we were even there. He pointed to some kayaks, but didn’t even mentioned where the dock was. When we asked him if he could give us a hand and show us the way, he just grumbled, «That’s what the tower is for.» The tower, by the way, was complete with broken wheels. My boyfriend, Dad and older brother — all big guys, could hardly get the kayaks to the dock. If I were Alder Creek Kayak, I’d care more about my equipment since we had to drag the kayaks on bare pavement just to reach the water. Seriously, there are better places to rent from than this.

2.5 stars
We double-​dated… a rental of 2 tandem kayaks to go out on the Willamette R., view the cityline from the water’s level, chat and exchange stories, explore, watch the Spirit of Portland cruiseboat come/​go, dodge boats and paddle up close and personal by the side of the submarine, USS Blueback, @ OMSI.
What a total hassle to carry them to the water’s edge!!! Though the location is in a cool portion of town, just off the Hawthorne bridge (in Industrial district), and close enough to funkO City Liquidators.
I was the one who took the reins and made the reservations to go out. Though the price was right, and we could rent by hour, still though, what a hassle, to go through their store, to the back, pick up the kayak, and then walk (with HEAVY older kayaks, mind you) for at least 10 minutes carrying to the east shore of the Willamette.
Wouldn’t do it again unless there was some kind of transport dolly with wheels to help me navigate. After paddling, we were tired, and to have to very much NOT look forward to trudging uphill on a slight grade to get it back into their garage was a big NOT COOL… plus, if you ring the bell to alert them that someone is outside, ready to return the rental, and they don’t hear you… well…
uh…
good luck! Patience is a virtue, or so I’ve heard…