Clarkdale Kayak Co. — Local services in Clarkdale

A MUST DO IN THE VERDE VALLEY!!!

WHAT A BLAST!!! Seriously, could of not of had a better day getting to learn all about the Verde River and the Verde Valley from the guys and gals at Clarkdale Kayak Company!

The owner Scott ANSWERED THE PHONE (what a novel concept these days) and provided great detail and excitement of all the things associated with the kayak tour. Explained how we basically show up at their location in Clarkdale and they provide all the gear, the van drop off and pickup from the river, and a guide for the day! First class service the whole way in an era where customer service is at about 0 most places with the understaffing. NOT THESE GUYS, FULLY STAFFED AND READY FOR YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY!

Was blown away with how easy they made everything for my wife and I! They bring the trailer of kayaks right to the water for you and then Jen (our guide) gave us a brisk breakdown on safety and how to use the kayak best. We had an extra guide in Taber that day as well so we felt super safe with 2 sets of eyes on our group of 10 or so.

The kayaks themselves are super nice and padded seats with a back support system. All in great quality shape and care!

We spent about 2.5 hours on the river just coasting for about 5 or 6 rapids along the way. Stopped off at a slow and deep point to do some swimming and cool off and have some of the snacks we brought with us.

Very cool day not just the kayaking but then exploring the little town of Clarkdale. We ate at the Main Street Cafe (which is owned by them) and had the best chili I have had in quite some time and a great Greek pizza to hit the spot after a long day on the river. After lunch the local brewery Smeltertown opened up at 2pm and ended up spending a couple of hours and playing some chess. Some of the best beers I have had and super cool little spot.

Great affordable, fun, and unique experiences can still be...

We spent a couple of hours on the river, coasting through gentle waters with 5 or 6 fun little rapids along the way—just enough to keep things interesting without soaking us. Our guide, Bill, was awesome—easygoing, knowledgeable, and clearly in his element. He made the trip feel relaxed, fun, and totally stress-free… for most of us.

Now, while I tried to follow Bill’s instructions, my kayak and paddle clearly had other plans. I was supposed to stay left, but my kayak thought veering right—and occasionally spinning in slow, graceful circles—was a much better idea. And a few times I even floated down backwards like I was in a lazy river parade. Thankfully, Bill was a good sport about it and kept everything lighthearted.

Midway through, we stopped at a calm section of the river for a swim and some snacks. It was the perfect break—cool, quiet, and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

All in all, it was a perfect mix of adventure, laughs, and laid-back vibes. Huge thanks to Bill for guiding us through it all with patience and good humor. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun and memorable day...

A real blast! We were a little unsure about going out for a kayak trip since it's not cheap and since it's so hot in the Verde Valley in mid-July, but we ended up having a great time. The owner Scott made sure to accommodate us despite an online booking snafu, and our guide Alethea was friendly and knowledgeable. Being down on the river felt perfect -- there was shade and a breeze, and the water felt terrific on such a hot day. The river is mostly calm but there are just enough Class 1 features along the route to add a little excitement. Getting passes for Smelter Town Brewery through the Paddles to Pints tour was the icing on the cake. We would happily...