Elysian Valley_Los Angeles River Kayak Tours_2026_SUNDAYS
About this Event
See nature in Los Angeles while paddling for miles in light rapids (yes, you heard that right)! The Elysian Valley (aka "Glendale Narrows") is a breezy-yet-sporty stretch of the LA River, with a few environmental education talks at resting stops along the way.
Nature and kayaking combine to make this a one-of-a-kind, bucket list experience. Summer 2026 is your chance to check off this unforgettable experience.
WHERE: Your adventure begins and ends in the middle of a burgeoning creative community now best known as Frogtown. Officially called the Elysian Valley, the community sits along the river on a wide flood plain that also includes the neighborhoods of Cypress Park, Glassell Park , Silver Lake and Atwater Village.
WHAT: This section has some Class-I rapids (light) and a few rocks to paddle around.
HOW: After safety instruction and a gear check, hop into a kayak. Expect to get a little wet but also enjoy a solid, full-body workout. Our guides will be with you all the way.
WHO: LA River Expeditions is the original boating outfit on the LA River and the only one leading tours in both Recreation Zones. In 2008, we paddled the 51 miles of the river to help win environmental protections for it under the Clean Water Act. Since then, as a California nonprofit, we've put over 20,000 people on the river in kayaks. We're proud of having contributed to our community's enjoyment and learning.
WHY: For its river conservation efforts, LA River Expeditions is the recipient of the Green Paddle Award (American Canoe Association), the River Warrior Award (Resource Renewal Institute) and the River Hero award (River Network). We do all this because we are avid kayakers and all-around river enthusiasts. Our experienced guides are the best—they have decades of collective experience, and have received professional training in safety and rescue skills. They also have current First Aid/CPR certification.
NOTE: Participants on these tours will need the physical ability to get in and out of kayaks periodically and to paddle around obstacles. This is not a simple float (our Sepulveda Basin tours are best for that.) Also, consider our other location if you have a medical condition that could be compromised. Our kayaks have a weight limit of approximately 215 pounds, for the safety of our participants. Kids ten years old and over are fine as long as they're fairly athletic and have paddled before.
We reserve the right to restrict participation for any safety reasons. There is a strict no-refund policy though we can sometimes accommodate with a more appropriate trip.
See FAQs below to see other questions answered.
FAQs:
* What's the deal with this part of the river? This is a sporty section with flowing water and some easy rapids. This vibrant natural section lends itself well to both fun kayaking and learning all about the river. Whether you're a resident or tourist, you'll come away with a whole new perspective on the nature that's right here in the heart of urban Los Angeles.
* Is it hot out there? Yes. It can be very hot during the summer. If you have particular issues with heat, or tenuous medical issues, this just might not be for you.
* Any age limits? This activity is usually doable for people 10 years and up (barring any extraordinary health or physical conditions), as long as they have some experience paddling. We're glad to work with athletic beginners but know that the moving water makes things very exciting!
* Any weight limits? Yes, no more than 215 lbs., please, in this section of the river. The kayaks have weight capacity limits and can get stuck. Be sure that each person for whom you're buying a ticket meets this criteria. It's a stability/safety issue, so please respect that.
* How experienced do I have to be? The trip will require that you paddle your own kayak for about 1.5 miles in moving water. We recommend that participants have some paddling experience, due to the need to maneuver around rocks and handle some Class-I rapids.
* How's the water quality? The river is deemed safe for recreation by the city and Heal the Bay, who test the water weekly for any changes that could affect a person's health. If water monitoring tests reveal unusually high levels of bacteria, tours will be canceled. LA River Expeditions has not had any notable reported health incidents due to river water since we began running tours in 2011. Nonetheless, we take safety seriously. There are ample supplies of anti-bacterial sanitizers, plus fresh water to wash off with at the end of your tour. There is more information about water quality and testing at this LA Dept. of Sanitation: https://bit.ly/2IBTqz4.
* What about parking in the local neighborhoods? Your "Welcome Kit" that you receive after ticketing will have information on parking near the kayak launch site.
* What if my trip is canceled? The trips are sometimes canceled due to poor weather or water quality. If that happens, we will work with you to reschedule you for another tour as soon as possible.
* What's your cancellation policy? Sorry, but once you purchase your tickets there are no refunds. Being late or getting lost is on you. Tickets are, however, transferrable.
Subject to Change: Event dates, times, and venues are subject to change at the discretion of the organizer without prior notice. It is the responsibility of the ticket holder to verify any changes prior to the event.
* OK, so how do I get tickets? If you're excited to experience this novel adventure, then we'd love to have you aboard! Use this site to select a Date, then click on Tickets and follow the prompts for payment. If it says "Sold Out" then you simply look for the next available date.
* After I get my tickets, how do find out everything else I'll need to know? You should receive a confirmation email with a link to our "Welcome Kit" so you can be prepared. It contains info like what to bring, exactly where to meet and when, and also a couple of waivers you'll need to sign and bring with you. Also, we send a duplicate Welcome Kit in another email roughly a week before your trip.
We hope to see you out on the LA River soon!!
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 69.57
