DC Outdoors
Your guide to the great outdoors
| Hiking | Camping | Boating | General |
Annapolis Canoe & Kayak |
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| 311 Third Street Annapolis, MD 21403 |
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| 410-263-2303 | ||
| Kayaks rent from $15 an hour to $250 a week. | ||
| http://www.ackannapolis.com/ | ||
Distance from College Park: 31.0 miles |
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Atlantic Kayak Company |
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| Fort Washington Marina 13600 King Charles Terrace Fort Washington, MD 20744 |
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| 301-292-6455 | ||
| Closed for the season, but when open, rental kayaks available from $25 per hour to $65 per day. | ||
| http://www.atlantickayak.com/ | ||
Distance from College Park: 27.0 miles |
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The Boathouse at Fletcher's Cove |
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| 4940 Canal Road, NW Washington, DC |
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| 202-244-0461 | ||
| Closed for the season, but reasonable prices when open. | ||
| http://www.fletcherscove.com/ | ||
Distance from College Park: 13.2 miles |
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Mariner Sailing School |
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| Belle Haven Marina 6401 George Washington Memorial Parkway Alexandria, VA 22307 |
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| 703-768-0018 | ||
| http://www.saildc.com/ | ||
Boat rentals -- sailboat, canoe, kayak, or jon boat -- are also available, at rates from $25 to $155. Distance from College Park: 23.9 miles |
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Thompson's Boat Center |
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| 2900 Virginia Avenue NW Washington, DC 20037 |
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| 202-333-9543 | ||
| Closed for the season, but fees for rentals range from $10 an hour for a single kayak to $26 an hour for a double-scull. Sailboats are also available for rental on an hourly basis. | ||
| http://www.thompsonboatcenter.com/ | ||
Distance from College Park: 10.7 miles |
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River and Trail Outfitters |
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| 604 Valley Road Knoxville, MD 21758 |
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| 301-695-5177 | ||
| Fees vary according to the length and nature of the trip, from around $40 per person for tubing up to $125 per person for some rafting, or thousands per person for a Bahamas kayaking trip. | ||
| http://www.rivertrail.com/index.php | ||
Distance from College Park: 64.8 miles |
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Unlike other boating places, this organization rents kayaks and canoes year round, but once the water reaches a certain temperature level, they will only rent to people who come equipped with a wet suit or a dry suit. See the website for more information. This company also sells kayaks, canoes and all their accoutrement.
This company focuses on group kayaking tours and on instruction. You can set up your own tour for your group, or participate in a scheduled tour. Classes are offered in basic kayak techniques and in kayak safety. There are several youth oriented activities, including summer day camps.
Boats and bicycles available for rental. Kayaks, canoes, and rowboats rent from $10 an hour to $17 an hour. Bikes rent for $7 an hour or $28 a day. This website includes a well-written blog about fishing, and there is a bait and tackle store at the location. The company that runs The Boathouse operates on a concession from the National Park Service, which can sometimes be a guarantee of quality and sometimes be the opposite. 
As suggested by its name, this is primarily a school for learning to sail, so if you always said you should learn more about sailing before taking out Daddy's yacht, here's your chance. Courses are 10 hours long and cost around $325. 
Thompson's Boat Center is operated by the same organization that runs Fletcher's Cove, listed above. They offer classes in sculling and sweep rowing, but no guided tours or outings.
This place offers many options for getting out into the wilderness, especially if you're inexperienced and unsure of what to do. However, all the guiding and amenities come with a price: the fees here are somewhat expensive. Guided rafting, tubing, and kayak trips are offered. Guided hikes are also available.| Hiking | Camping | Boating | General |