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Burke’s invites you to spend a day (or more)
canoeing/kayaking down the famous
Russian River located 1 mile north of Forestville!

707-887-1222

Explore
New-Burkes-Logo-white-design-png

Burke’s invites you to spend a day (or more)
canoeing/kayaking down the famous
Russian River located 1 mile north of Forestville!

Explore
New-Burkes-Logo-white-design-png

Burke’s canoe trips on the Russian River begins it’s 2023 summer season on Memorial Weekend, May 27th, 2023!! We will continue daily through early October. Please call ahead to reserve canoe or kayaks and/or overnight camping! Lot of fun, lot of sun, and EXCELLENT WATER LEVELS!  This is definitely going to be a great summer season, call ahead at  707-887-1222. Beginning Memorial Weekend 2023 we will be fully OPEN and OPERATIONAL and going full blast!!! We hope to hear from you soon!!

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  • Canoe & Kayak through the heart of the Redwoods!

    Beautiful scenery along the Russian River, redwoods everywhere you look, picnic beaches throughout. Is there a better way to spend your day? The answer is no from me!

    Canoe & Kayak through the heart of the Redwoods!
    Lauren V.
    College Student

  • Generations of fun memories on the Russian River

    My friends & family have been coming to Burke's to canoe & kayak down the Russian River for a couple decades now. It's always a party and the other people you meet along the river are a blast!

    Generations of fun memories on the Russian River
    Robert Lee, Owner
    Forestville resident
    Street Deli

  • Canoeing at Burkes is a true Russian River Tradition

    My parents took me down this trip every summer when I was younger... then I took my own kids...and now my kid's are taking their kids. This really is a true Russian River tradition you can't miss out on!

    Canoeing at Burkes is a true Russian River Tradition
    Julie F.
    Mother of three

In this day of stress and high-pressure living, Burke’s Canoe Trips offers an outlet of carefree fun in the great outdoors. Every summer, thousands of couples, families, and groups make Burke’s a Russian River tradition. Burke’s will be glad to assist you in reserving your canoe/kayak/camping trips through the heart of the Redwoods (return shuttle included). Just give us a call!

707-887-1222

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About Burkes

Burkes is located in the heart of the redwoods, one mile north of Forestville on the bank of the Russian River itself. Burke’s offers a beautiful ten mile self-guided canoe/kayak trip through the heart of the Redwoods, from Forestville to the resort town of Guernville. You can comfortably do this trip in approximately 3 ½ hours, actual canoeing time. However, most people picnic, swim, sunbath, etc. and are usually out close to 4 or 5 hours. You will see wildlife such as: otter, Great Blue Heron, osprey, turtles, egret, and more. Canoeing at Burke’s is a true Russian River Tradition. We open for the 2023 summer season beginning Memorial weekend on Saturday May 27th, and is open seven days a week thereafter for canoe trips, kayak trips, and over-night camping, through mid October. This is a gorgeous excursion, don’t miss out on the fun!!

Burkes sign resize
Burkes sign resize

About Burkes

Burkes is located in the heart of the redwoods, one mile north of Forestville on the bank of the Russian River itself. Burke’s offers a beautiful ten mile self-guided canoe/kayak trip through the heart of the Redwoods, from Forestville to the resort town of Guernville. You can comfortably do this trip in approximately 3 ½ hours, actual canoeing time. However, most people picnic, swim, sunbath, etc. and are usually out close to 4 or 5 hours. You will see wildlife such as: otter, Great Blue Heron, osprey, turtles, egret, and more. Canoeing at Burke’s is a true Russian River Tradition. We open for the 2023 summer season beginning Memorial weekend on Saturday May 27th, and is open seven days a week thereafter for canoe trips, kayak trips, and over-night camping, through mid October. This is a gorgeous excursion, don’t miss out on the fun!!

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Rates & Services

Reservations

Please call us ahead of time to reserve your spot on the trip. Burke’s will be happy to assist you in making a reservation. However,  reservations are subject to some restrictions and we urge you to go and read through our FAQ/Checklist section first below.

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Canoe/Kayak

Burke’s provides your canoe, paddles, & life jackets for the day for a total of just $95.00 per canoe. We offer kayaks as well for $60.00 per kayak.

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Overnight Camping

We offer great overnight camping with amenities such as hot showers, clean restrooms, good drinking water, picnic tables, dressing rooms, & fire rings. You can literally camp 1 inch from the river itself or in the Redwoods overlooking the river! Firewood & ice available for purchase. Group sites are also available! Please call in advance!

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Shuttle Service

Burkes provides complimentary return shuttle service after your trip. Our buses return to Burke’s headquarters approximately every 1/2 hour all day until 5:00 p.m.

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Group/Corporate Outings

We specialize in trips for couples, families, company employee parties, corporate team building, church groups, scout groups, wedding parties, birthday parties and more! Group catering w/ overnight camping also available. Make sure to call ahead to reserve!

Rates & Services

Reservations

Please call us ahead of time to reserve your spot on the trip. Burke’s will be happy to assist you in making a reservation. However,  reservations are subject to some restrictions and we urge you to go and read through our FAQ/Checklist section first below.

Canoe-Icon-Correct-Color

Canoe/Kayak

Burke’s provides your canoe, paddles, & life jackets for the day for a total of just $95.00 per canoe. We offer kayaks as well for $60.00 per solo kayak.

Camp-Icon-Correct-Color

Overnight Camping

We offer great overnight camping with amenities such as hot showers, clean restrooms, good drinking water, picnic tables, dressing rooms, & fire rings. You can literally camp 1 inch from the river itself or in the Redwoods overlooking the river! Firewood & ice available for purchase. Group sites are also available! Please call in advance!

Transport-Icon-Correct-Color

Shuttle Service

Burkes provides complimentary return shuttle service after your trip. Our buses return to Burke’s headquarters approximately 1/2 hour all day until 5:00 p.m.

Group-Icon-Correct-Color

Group/Corporate Outings

We specialize in trips for couples, families, company employee parties, corporate team building, church groups, scout groups, wedding parties, birthday parties and more! Group catering w/ overnight camping also available. Make sure to call ahead to reserve!

Want to prepare yourself beforehand?

Pre Canoe & Kayak Instruction

Watch

Canoe & Kayak Instruction

Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oExP2SFBqAw

Want to prepare yourself beforehand?

Pre Canoe & Kayak Instruction

Watch

Canoe & Kayak Instruction

Watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oExP2SFBqAw
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Gallery

All photos taken while on the trip!
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Faq/Checklist

- Please always wear your life jacket! Although the Russian River is known mostly for extreme beauty and generally is not considered to be a "whitewater experience", there is still some current and swiftness at various intervals along the canoeing/kayaking routes, and remember sometimes canoes and kayaks do indeed tip over. We provide each canoeist with a life jacket! For safety reasons, never dive or jump into the river, walk in only if you wish to swim. If you dive or jump in you could hit a rock or some other obstacle you couldn't see and often you can't tell whether a spot is deep or shallow.
- You must be able to swim! No Non-swimmers please.
- Do not Litter! Please help keep the river and beaches beautiful.
- Do not leave canoes unattended at any time! Begin, enjoy, and complete the trip together with your whole canoe/kayak party. Do not isolate or separate with those you're boating with.
- Respect Private Property please!
- Never dive or jump into river. You can find the river shallow or deep and hit a hidden log or rock.
- Please don't wear backpacks while canoe or kayak. Backpacks may be strapped to the canoe securely.
May we suggest the following items for your consideration: bring your bathing suits, ice chest, lunch, soft drinks, beach towels, sunscreen, hats, drinking water, sunglasses, bunji cords to tie your cooler into the canoe, and river shoes to protect feet against sharp rocks. Garbage bags for trash, a recycling center is available at our landing beach. Also bring a change of clothes for the ride back home.
- NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON CANOE/KAYAK TRIP FOR SAFETY REASONS. Be Sharp... Be Responsible.
- NO GLASS or styrofoam on the river, please.
- Sorry NO dogs are allowed on the trip!
Yes of course! However, all children must be at least five years of age to go and like adults, children must also have good swimming skills.
We are happy to give you instruction at the front office and you can check out our instructional videos on our website. Remember, since canoes/kayaks can easily tip over, all persons participating must be good swimmers.
Our canoes have two seats, one front and one back. Generally two adults per canoe is the norm, but there's a possibility of adding one-two kids in the middle if they are between the ages 5-11.
Ten miles! Your trip begins at Burkes canoe headquarters which is one mile north of Forestville. You are paddling downstream through the heart of the redwoods winding up at our private beach in the resort town of Guernville. The length of the trip is 10 miles and normally takes between 3-3.5 hours actual on the water canoeing/kayaking time. However, since this is self-guided most people picnic, swim, sunbath, etc. and are usually out close to 4 or 5 hours. You're allowed to take all day as long as you complete the trip by 5 p.m.
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Contact Burkes at

P.O. Box 602
8600 River Rd, Forestville, CA
707-887-1222

At the intersection of River Rd & Mirabel Rd just one mile north of Forestville

From San Francisco cross the Golden Gate Bridge & go North on 101. Exit at Highway 116 WEST & follow 116 WEST 7 miles into Sebastopol. Continue another 7 miles on 116 WEST into Forestville. Turn Right onto Mirabel Road at the only gas station in town. Follow Mirabel Road 1 mile to Burke’s Entrance.

Contact Burkes at

P.O. Box 602
8600 River Rd, Forestville, CA
707-887-1222

At the intersection of River Rd & Mirabel Rd just one mile north of Forestville

From San Francisco cross the Golden Gate Bridge & go North on 101. Exit at Highway 116 WEST & follow 116 WEST 7 miles into Sebastopol. Continue another 7 miles on 116 WEST into Forestville. Turn Right onto Mirabel Road at the only gas station in town. Follow Mirabel Road 1 mile to Burke’s Entrance.