Rent canoes or kayaks for scenic paddling trips on Upper Big Darby Creek, with options for 1-2 hour or extended trails.
Enjoy staff-assisted tours with brief demonstrations, wildlife spotting tips, and guidance on trail routes and docking spots.
Visit our cozy log cabin cafe for drip coffee, fresh baked goods, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs like sweatshirts and candles.
Get equipped with life jackets and well-maintained paddling gear, plus friendly setup and instructions from our staff.
Perfect for groups, families, and beginners, offering inclusive experiences with options for breaks, swimming, and picnicking along the creek.
The BEST kayak experience ever, and family owned by the kindest people!!! We parked and checked in inside their cute log cabin building where they had coffee, candles, the cutest sweatshirts, as well as some snacks and drinks to take with you on your trip. After checking in, the sweetest staff set us up with life jackets and kayaks (there are also canoes available!) before giving us a brief demonstration (we kayak a lot so didn’t need anything long). Tyler was so sweet and walked us through everything, telling us to take our time and about the spots we could stop to sun and eat lunch along the way. The river trail was the perfect amount of shaded and sunny, plenty of spots to dock, and so much wildlife to see! Emily, Nick, and Hannah welcomed us back, needless to say we were so impressed by the staff and the friendliness of the entire place. A MUST GO and perfect for a day or half day trip from Columbus!
Definitely coming back in the spring! I had an amazing time with my group! Great place for beginners, nature lover and first time paddlers. Plus the Cafe is extremely adorable and delicious with many options to choose from with fresh baked items. I have a new love for canoeing boat🚣♀️ Definitely a place for people of all sizes and very inclusive environment.
Great place for kayaking/canoeing. I've been here a handful of times now and its always a pleasant experience. We usually canoe, it was a little over $40 for 2 us of this time, so very reasonable price in my experience. We chose the 1-2 hour trail but they told us we could stay out until 6pm. There was a spot about an hour through where you could stop if you were done. Plenty of places to dock along the way for breaks or to swim. Lots of wildlife around. There were forks in the river where there was a less and more extreme route, depending on your preference. The staff is great, friendly & helpful. We went on a Sunday this time and there were a surplus of people which was the only bad part. Other than that, I highly recommend!
What a great place! We started our day with some drip coffee from the Cafe, and moved on to a fun, adventurous kayak exploration of Upper Big Darby Creek. We must have seen hundreds of turtles sunning on logs in the water! Such a great way to spend a few hours in nature.
Had great time. Water very low got stuck few times. May want to remove some downed trees to help the experience. Price was good, staff was nice. Really enjoyed our time. (Except when we got wet lol) beautiful scenery!

Paddle into adventure on the scenic Big Darby Creek – family-owned fun for all!
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Trapper John's Canoe Livery offers unforgettable canoeing and kayaking experiences on the beautiful Upper Big Darby Creek in Grove City, Ohio. As a family-owned establishment, we provide friendly service, well-maintained equipment, and a cozy log cabin cafe with snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. Perfect for beginners, nature lovers, and seasoned paddlers, our trails feature wildlife sightings, shaded and sunny spots, and optional stops for swimming or picnicking. Whether you're planning a half-day trip from Columbus or a full-day adventure, we ensure a safe, inclusive, and memorable outdoor escape for all ages and skill levels.
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