About Paddle The River

Our Story

Founded in 2015 by Moneen & Brad McBride, Paddle The River, LLC was born from a passion for the outdoors and a desire to share the beauty of Northeast Ohio's local rivers and outdoors to people from all walks of life in a safe and family friendly environment! We believe that nature has a way of connecting us, rejuvenating our spirits, and instilling a sense of wonder. We strive to create unforgettable experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the beauty and serenity of the natural world! What began as a single location has blossomed into a multi-site adventure company, offering paddling experiences across Northeast Ohio.

Our Locations

Burning River Adventures (Cuyahoga Falls, OH)
Celebrating its 10th season in 2025, this flagship location offers self-guided trips on the Heritage section of the Cuyahoga River. This location offers 2-mile, 4.5-mile, or 6.5-mile paddling adventures with single kayaks, tandem kayaks, youth kayaks or 4-6 person rafts. All paddling adventures for this location meet at Water Works Park in Cuyahoga Falls, OH we then shuttle up river at the start of the adventure (unless noted otherwise)!
Mahoning River Adventures (Warren, OH)
Launched in 2018 in partnership with Trumbull County Metro Parks, this location offers 3.6-mile and 11-mile paddling adventures on the Mahoning River, with single and tandem kayaks. All paddling adventures for this location meet at Canoe City Metro Park in Levittsburg, OH we then shuttle up river at the start of the adventure!
Cuyahoga Valley Adventures (Akron, OH)
Opened in 2021, this location offers a scenic paddling experience on the Cuyahoga River, nestled in the Merriman Valley. This location started off offering a 7-mile journey through the Cuyahoga Valley section of the Cuyahoga River until put on hold by Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) as they did not want paddling rentals on the river within park boundaries.
New in 2024, we introduced a 2-mile paddling option starting from Summit Metro Parks' Cascade Valley Metro Park – Valley View River Access and ending at our location. This shorter route provides a relaxing and accessible adventure for beginners and families alike. This location offers paddling adventures with single kayaks, tandem kayaks, youth kayaks or 4-6 person rafts. All paddling adventures for this location meet at Cuyahoga Valley Adventures in Akron, OH we then shuttle up river at the start of the adventure (unless noted otherwise)!
In 2025, we continue to wait for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) to issue commercial use authorizations for paddling rentals within park boundaries.

Our Mission

At Paddle The River, our mission is to spread the joy of our local rivers and the outdoors to our communities in a safe and family-friendly environment. We are committed to promoting good stewardship of our waterways and surrounding natural spaces.

Environmental Stewardship

Since our inception, we've participated & organized multiple river cleanups, engaging volunteers and paddlers in preserving the health and beauty of our waterways. These efforts not only remove debris, but also foster a community of river stewards dedicated to environmental conservation of our local waterways. We hope you will join us for one of our upcoming river clean ups!

Our River Crew

Our River Crew take care of managing the kayaks, transportation, drop in’s, and basic instruction so all you have to worry about is having a great time on the river. Whether you’re a first time kayaker, or seasoned enthusiast, our knowledgeable and friendly team is dedicated to providing exceptional service ensuring your safety and enjoyment throughout the journey.