There is nothing like fresh air and a day on the river to help you relax and unwind. Just minutes from Columbia, you can enjoy the wilderness setting of the historic and biologically diverse Duck River. So, turn off your cell phone and take time to enjoy the natural beauty of the Duck River on one of our guided trips.
Higher Pursuits offers several guided trips throughout the summer including a Sunset Floats, Mussels on the Duck River, Fall paddling Trips, and other guided trips on sections of the river we do not normally provide service on. Each trip is led by an experienced Lead and Assistant Guide.
Watch our facebook page for new trips throughout the paddling season.
Guided Sunset Paddle on the Duck River
See the sights and sounds of the river at sunset and into twilight.
Description: This guided trip starts just a couple of hours before sunset so that participants can view the changes on the river as the sun goes down and the moon rises. After enjoying sunset, participants will complete the paddle during twilight and early evening. Higher Pursuits will provide a lead and assistant guide for this trip as well as lights for the boats.
Length of Trip: 5 to 6 hours – this trip ends after dark, normally between 9 and 10 pm
Cost of Trip: $75 per person. This includes cost of guides and boat rental. When you book your trip, you can let us know what type of boat you prefer to use for the trip.
What to Bring: We will provide lights for each boat, but you are welcome to bring a white light of your own.
Bring plenty of water or hydrating beverages. Alcohol is not permitted on guided trips.
We recommend shoes that will stay on your feet (flip-flops tend to fall off in the water and float away)
We suggest bringing a jacket in case you get cold once the sun sets. You may also want a pair of lightweight pants.
What to Expect: The meeting time of this trip is either 4 pm or 5 pm depending on the time of year. When you make your reservation, it will specify the start time. We will meet at the canoe base a couple of hours before sunset to get life jackets, pick out boats and also talk about the trip. This trip has a lead and assistant guide on all sunset paddles. The group will paddle for a little bit before sunset, stop to have a snack on the river and then we will put lights on the boats. The trip typically ends around 9 to 10 pm.
Minimum Trip size: four participants
Minimum Age Requirement: 12 years old and up
Weather and water conditions: All guided trips are dependent on the weather, if we are not going to be able to conduct your trip due to high water conditions or adverse weather conditions we will call before the trip.
Trip Dates for 2024:
Mussels on The Duck River
A Guided Paddling Trip to Explore the Freshwater Mussels and other Wildlife in the Duck River
Join us as we explore the most biologically diverse river in North America and learn more about the amazing mussels that are so critical to its ecosystem.
Description: This is a guided trip with a lead guide and assistant guide from Higher Pursuits and a Professor of Biology from Tennessee Tech to lead the interpretive portion of the trip. The trip will stop several times to explore gravel bars for mussels, wade in the river and discuss this unique and important species to the Duck River ecosystem
Length of Trip and What to Expect: The trip will be 5 to 6 hours long. We will meet at Higher Pursuits at 9 am and have a short land-based discussion. The group will then move to the river and paddle 5.5 miles while exploring the various gravel bars along the way. We anticipate completing the program by 3 to 4 pm depending on the pace of the group and amount of discussion.
Cost of Trip: $75 per person. This includes cost of guides and boat rental. When you book your trip, you can let us know what type of boat you prefer to use for the trip.
What to Bring: We recommend that you bring water, snack and a lunch. There will be a planned stop for snacks, restroom, and to explore. Please wear shoes that will stay on your feet and bring a jacket in case the temperature gets cooler. We do not allow alcohol on our guided trips and prefer/recommend that all participants wear their lifejacket (PFD).
Minimum Trip size: four participants
Minimum Age Requirement: 10 years old and up
Weather and water conditions: All guided trips are dependent on the weather, if we are not going to be able to conduct your trip due to high water conditions or adverse weather conditions we will call before the trip.
Trip Dates for 2024:
Additional Information about guided trips
Custom guided trips are available with a minimum of four participants and if we have a guide available. Typically, custom guided trips are not available on the weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day due to the high volume of rental customers and require at least a two weeks’ notice to determine with we have a guide available for your trip. If you would like additional information about scheduling a custom guided trip, please complete the below request for information and our staff will contact you to discuss trip options.
- Higher Pursuits reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any trip due to inclement weather or unsafe water conditions.
- If Higher Pursuits cancels a trip, you will be given an option of rescheduling for another trip or receive a full refund.
- Higher Pursuits requires that ALL PARTICIPANTS wear a personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times during our guided trips.
- Use of alcohol is not permitted at any time on our guided trips.