Make Memories.

Paddle Adventures.

707-887-1222.

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

Canoe/Kayaks

Overnight Camping

Shuttle Service

Burke’s canoe trips on the Russian River begins it’s 2026 summer season on Memorial Weekend, Friday, May 22nd for camping and Saturday, May 23rd for canoe/kayaks!! 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 2026 we will be fully OPEN and OPERATIONAL and going full blast!!! We hope to hear from you soon!!

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!

Lauren V.

College Student

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!

Robert Lee

Local Owner

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!

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

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 Guerneville. 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 2026 summer season beginning Memorial weekend on Friday, May 22nd for camping and Saturday, May 23rd for canoe/kayaks, 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!!

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/Kayak

Burke’s provides your canoe, paddles, & life jackets for the day for a total of just $95.00 per canoe. Each canoe has two seats and nicely accommodates 2 adults per canoe OR, 2 adults with 1 or 2 children is acceptable when the kids are somewhere between ages 5 and approximately 11 years old. All persons must be able to swim well. We offer kayaks as well for $60.00 per solo kayak.

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!

Shuttle Service

Burke’s 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.

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?

Learning to Paddle: Pre Canoe & Kayak Instruction

Canoe & Kayak Instructions

Gallery

All photos taken while on the trip!

FAQ/Checklist

Rules to follow

– 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 you can even hit the bottom of the river because 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 or kayaks 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 canoeing or kayaking. Backpacks may be strapped to the canoe securely. When wet, backpacks become very heavy and can literally weigh you down making it extremely difficult if not impossible to swim. So don’t wear your backpack while boating period. Instead, strap it to the canoe or kayak securely please.

What should I bring?

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.

What isn’t allowed on the trip? Can I bring a dog?

– 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!

How long is the trip?

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 Guerneville. 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..

Are children 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.

Is previous experience required?

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.

How many people can fit in a canoe?

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.

Contact Burkes at:

P.O Box 602

8600 River Rd, Forestville, CA

707-887-1222

At 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.