Canoe, Kayak and Tube

Livery update:

Gallup Park Livery will reopen for boating Saturday, April 20, 2024. Argo Park Livery will reopen Saturday, May 4, 2024. 

River Trips (current)

Argo to Gallup River Trip - 3.7 miles, 1.5 hours 

Paddle down the Argo Cascades and on down the beautiful Huron River in Ann Arbor.  

• No reservations. We have 100's of kayaks and canoes! 
• Groups of +25 people please call 734.794.6240.
  

Schedule

• April 20-May 3: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4p.m. (on the hour start at Gallup)
• May 4-May 24: Every day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  (Start at Gallup weekdays and Argo weekends)
• May 25-Aug 18: Every day, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Start at Argo every day)
  
• Aug. 19-Sept. 2: Every day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Start at Argo every day)
  

      *Boats due at Gallup 1-hour prior to close

Barton to Gallup River Trip - 5.7-mile, 2.5-hour

Starts at Gallup with a van ride upriver to Barton. Paddle 2-mile Argo Pond,  through the cascades, and on down the river ending back at Gallup.

• Reservations required online prior to day of or call the day of to check for availability. Boat Reservations
  

Schedule

• Closed this spring due to construction.
  
• July 1-Sept. 2: Every day.  
  

River Trip Boat Rental Fees

Tube the Rapids 

Tube the River details, rentals, personal tubes, parking and river map.

Schedule

• May 4-May 24: Weekends, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• May 25-Aug 18: Every day, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Aug. 19-Sept. 2: Every day, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

*Last rental is 2 hours prior to close. When we close at 7 p.m., the last rental is at 5 p.m. with boats due back by 7 p.m.

Tubes

• Rental tubes at the Argo Livery - 
  
• Tube rentals up to 2-hours prior to closing
  
• $14/person for a 2-hour rental
  
• 1 person per tube and must be 8 years of age or older.
• Shoes, no flip flops, are required.
  
• Water shoes are for sale at the Argo Livery for $20
  
• Tube down the Argo Cascade rapids and walk back up to repeat 2 or 3 times in your 2-hour rental
  
• Rental tubes are required to stay in the Argo Cascades and tubes are returned to the Argo Livery
  
• Argo Livery has tubes for purchase. Have your own tube? Tube the River
  

Parking at Argo and Gallup Parks

• Parking on weekends/holidays at Gallup Park - Overflow Parking is at Huron High School or Furstenburg.
  
• Parking on weekends/holidays at Argo Park - Overflow Parking is at the Kellogg Eye Center 900 Wall Street (Lot M87).
  

Plan ahead before you visit the liveries

Parking at the Argo Livery is very limited, and we kindly ask that you plan before visiting us. Please consider parking in nearby parking lots on weekends and pay attention to all parking and traffic signs. Please do not park in areas that are designated as NO PARKING zones or block access for emergency vehicles. Map to 900 Canal Street and park in the M87 lot on the weekends. Consider alternative transportation methods, such as biking or carpooling, to reduce the number of vehicles in the area. Thank you. To learn more about each location visit the website. Thank you. Our goal is to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors, and we believe that by working together, we can achieve this. Click here to view/print a the map below.

FAQs

Argo Cascades

• Argo Cascades are 1500 feet of nine man-made drops and pools that bypass Argo Dam
  
• Kayakers get waist down wet in the cascades for water splashes over your boat. Boats flip over so be prepared to be wet!
  
• Requirements to kayak down the Argo Cascades:
• Paddler in the stern of kayak must have experience paddling a boat (5 or more times) and be able to steer to stay in the middle of river and avoid hitting rocks
  
• Everyone in the boat must be a capable swimmer and be able to right a capsized boat
  

What to Wear/What to Bring

• Dress for the weather
  
• Dress for getting wet so wear a bathing suit or clothes that can get wet and will dry quickly
  
• Wear shoes that can get wet and will stay on to protect your feet.
  
• DO NOT take valuables or personal belongings on the river unless secure in a dry bag/container (we sell dry bags/containers and have lockers at both liveries). Boats tip over and phones fall in the river
  
• Do not bring towels for they just get wet.
  
• Maximum size coolers 12'x12'x12' allowed (one per boat, no Styrofoam)
  
• No alcohol. No glass bottles
  
• Argo Livery sells cold drinks, chips, candy, granola bars, sunscreen, eyeglass cords, dry bags, water shoes, and stickers
  
• Gallup Livery sells cold drinks, coffee, chips, candy, granola bars, ice cream, sunscreen, eyeglass cords, dry bags, t-shirts, hats and stickers
  

Boat Rental Policies

• Lifejackets are required and provided with all boat rentals
• Children must be age 1 years old or older to be in our boats.
  
• Dogs are welcome in all boats except in rafts and tubes
  
• Boats available for the river trip depend on the water level
  
• No canoes or rafts in low water conditions
  
• Gallup Livery offers van transportation for non-renters for $10/person, no inflated tubes and no boats, just people
  
• We take cash, all major credit cards, and checks for payment
  
• One person in your group is required to fill out a rental agreement and leave a deposit of car keys or State issued I.D. 
  
• All boaters are required to sign a Risk Waiver (PDF). A parent or guardian must sign for children younger than 16 years old
  
• Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult (age 18 or older)
  
• We do not rent paddles, to people who have not rented our boats
  
• Late fees: The City will charge double the rental rate per watercraft for equipment that is not returned to the livery by closing time
  

Universal Accessible Boat Launches 

• Located at both the Argo and Gallup Liveries
• Accessible Kayaking (PDF)

Group Boat Rentals

Outdoors, teamwork, and fun on the beautiful Huron River in Ann Arbor! Boat rentals for all skill levels and all sizes of groups. We do not offer discount boat fees for groups. Contact Joe Anderson [email protected] for further information and to set up a reservation.

• Groups <25 people 
  

• No reservations needed for the 1.5-hour river trip or stillwater paddling
  

• Reserve online Boat Reservations for the 2.5-hour river trip

• Groups >25 people - Call the Gallup Office 734.794.6240
  

• We can accommodate large groups. 

• Weekdays are less crowded so best for large groups
  

• Weekends before noon are also less crowded
  

• Stillwater paddles or the 1.5-hour river trip are available for large groups.
  

School Groups

We can work with you to provide a river experience that best fits your class for an unforgettable outdoor exploration by boating on the Huron River.  Contact Recreation Supervisor Joe Anderson 734.794.6240 or [email protected]. 

• Discounted boat rentals for school groups on spring/fall weekdays
• Have adults print and sign Risk Waiver (PDF) prior to youth group trips