Tip-A-Canoe Stores, Inc

Terrible customer service. Got turned away because their last run is at 3:30. It was 3:32. And mind you, I was in the building waiting in line before 3:30. Great businesses ethics, idiots!
Go across the street instead. Much better service.

They’re located with a bunch of other two canoeing stores around there. This is the last one on that road depending on what side you’re coming from. Pretty laid back nice folks and a nice guides. We chose the two hour tour and I would suggest don’t grow more as it two hours gets you tired.

We went on a Sunday afternoon and the staff was rude, we pulled into what we thought were parking places and while I was inside signing papers the staff yelled at my friends saying that we were in a loading zone and stated «this is just horrible» (note: they were neither loading or unloading at the time) We would have been happy to move if they had been polite about it, there is no need to yell out the window of a van at your customers and tell them what they have done is horrible. We clearly did not know that it was a loading zone and there were no clear signs to direct us as to where to park. (The answer is on the very busy road)
There is a right and a wrong way to customer service and they are all wrong! I will NEVER use this company again and will make sure none of my friends do either.

At first, I would have given them one star. It was early in the morning, and I was so pissed off we had to walk alllllll that way and then drag our own canoe down to a terribly managed area. Once I woke up and decided I was just being lazy, it wasn’t so bad! The canoes are well built, and the staff is super friendly.
The river is beautiful! :) We chose the 4.5 hour trip, and thats rowing time. We actually spent about 10 hours on the river. There are so many places to pull up to a shore and have a sandwich and relax.
It is a downer that you technically can’t have alcohol. I hear they’re pretty strict. But we had a full cooler and no one checked or bothered us; just be discrete. EVERYONE is wasted at the end. I’ll be back soon!

Always have a fun time. If you know you’re going, I suggest registering in advance as some times can be quite busy and you’ll be able to bypass the lines of people just showing up.
Will run you about $ 45 for a canoe, regardless of which trip you choose. Trips last from one hour to about ten hours.
Process of getting registered can be kind of chaotic. Everybody is nice, but our group has definitely felt rushed to get in a van and get going when there are a lot of people there.
At the end of your trip, know that you’ll have to lift your canoe out of the water. And you’ll pretty much have to paddle the entire time if you want to get anywhere. It’s not something I’d consider too physically challenging, but I saw more than a few people having problems.
Definitely a better experience on weekdays as there are less groups of the «party cove» types who are more interesting in getting drunk and hanging out than actually canoeing. Never had any issues with these guys and everybody is pretty mellow, although it’s not uncommon to see them tie boats together and just sit there, which can block big parts of the river and make it tougher to get where you’re going. Not Tip-A-Canoe’s fault, but this may be part of your experience if you go on a busy weekend, so now you know…

The building the company was located was kinda shabby. The employees were completely stoned, but nice. The canoes were kind of older and cheaper looking than the competition. Little unorganized I’d say as a whole.

Terrible experience from start to finish, will never go back. Rude, unhelpful staff, uncomfortable canoe seats, extremely long waits to check out gear and sign back in… really nothing redeeming about the experience except the trip itself. We got little to NO direction about where to get into the river, where we’d be picked up, what we were being charged for, etc. Have never interacted with less helpful or unprofessional staff. Take your business to Canoe Music City or Foggy Bottom!

For the most part it was a great experience… I would have given them 5 stars if not for one VERY BIG negative: toward the end of the trip there was a giant tree down, causing a very dangerous situation that we were not warned about. As we came around the last bend, there were 2 tiny pieces of caution tape over a giant tree that was blocking over 75% of the path. If not navigated correctly, one would ended up capsizing and possibly getting caught under said tree… and many did, including the family with a small child in front of us and one of the canoes in our party.
Most of the people on these canoe trips are not experts, by any means, and should at least be given a head’s up if some skill is going to be required in order to survive! See Paul K’s review for a few more details :)
Several different companies send people down this part of the Harpeth and we later found out that other companies had warned their patrons.
After talking to several other canoers, no one from Tip-​A-​Canoe had been warned.
The price was good, the equipment was good, the trip was fun, but it would be nice for them to care a little more about their customers.

I will preface this with my only real complaint is they did not tell us information about a well-​known danger that nearly killed a family behind us and took out one of our canoes.
…
I’m torn between 2 and 3 stars here, lemme give you the cons — you’ve got all the pros from the other reviews, and they’re valid.
We had a situation that actually was dangerous that they did not warn us about, two other canoe places were warning their customers that a large tree in the water near the bridge was extremely unsafe — basically the river goes from infinitely wide to about 15 feet wide and rams you into a submerged tree at high speed.
We came on this, there were 2 or 3 guys out there rescuing people who went under and were trapped. They had a tent set up. First of our party goes down and is held under by a canoe /​loses everything, they come and pull them out of the water. While we’re all trying to gather up their stuff another canoe comes in — family, flips, mother is held under water, son goes down and is yanked out by the dad, the rescue guys go in again and pull the mother from the water.
We compare notes with the downed family and people at the finish area, 2 other rental places are warning people that it’s dangerous, nope, we got nothing from Tip A Canoe.
The plastic caution tape hanging all over the tree had some age to it… I don’t expect TAC to do much about the tree, but a warning to their customers that the well-​known downed tree is flipping people and has people camping next to it to save people’s lives and perhaps just walk at the point, you know, it would have been useful.
I’m not an expert canoer, I generally kayak when I go out, I’ve never had a place not tell me about a hazard that bad.
Other than that, the place was average… seems like on the ride back they talked some smack about another place not being respected, and there was a sign asking people for tips, but things were ok.

Trust me. I never believed that in this lifetime, I would be writing a review on a business that provides an «outdoorsy» canoe experience.
However, I had a really fun and fabulous time last weekend on the Harpeth River with a group of friends. This city girl can get down with nature… for just a few hours at least.
I sincerely appreciated the options that vary from just 1 hour on the river on upwards to 12 hours for the advanced river rat. We opted for the 3.5 hour adventure and it was the perfect amount of water, beer, and paddling for this broad. I don’t think that I’ll ever be interested in the option of «on-​site primitive camping or camping along the river bank.»
Call me a wimp, but a Heavenly Bed at the Westin sounds more my speed!
Pricing is based per canoe and kayak and when we mentioned an «Internet Special» we enjoyed $ 10 off the price of a rental. For an afternoon of fun for 2 cost us around $ 45 which included the rental of the canoe, paddles, life preserves, and seat cushions. The staff was friendly and dropped us off at the docking point and helped us get into our canoes.
The river was a fun and relaxing way to enjoy the weather and when I was feeling especially sporty, I put my jiggly arms to work by paddling like a mad-​woman.
I would imagine that this is the secret workout for Jennifer Anniston + Michelle Obama… how else would they get such sculpted biceps. Just sayin.
The rules of the river prohibit booze but I can assure you that our group were not the only ones that smuggled a case of PBR in our coolers + vodka in water bottles. The staff doesn’t check coolers + backpacks so you can certainly bring your booze along with sandwiches, fruit, and Sun Chips of course!
You can take the city out of the girl but NOT the vodka.
TIP: Pets are also welcome. Chico + Bellini are totally going to be 2^nd mates on the next outing!

Had a nice experience with Tip-​a-​canoe. Friendly gal and guy at check-​in. Very matter of fact business and no frills so it’s best if you are nature and DIY friendly. Went out on the 1 hour trip with husband and 3 year old. Water level was safe for toddler with life vest on. Relatively clean river banks with some exception. We did bank and Wade around for lunch. Everyone we ran into on the river was very friendly. Would travel with Tip-​a-​canoe again.

One of the most fun things I have found around Nashville. More of a «drinking river» than any real white water. Very relaxing, lazy river lets you go at your pace in kayaks or canoes. Everything is available for rent in site, bring your beer and snacks! This is a great time for a date, family trip or bunch of friends.

I have canoed down the Harpeth River at least once almost every hot Nashville summer, and we usually use Tip-​A-​Canoe to rent our equipment. They are the most well-​known rental company on the river, and are well-​run.
You don’t have to own anything remotely related to a canoe, or even know much about the sport, to go. The Harpeth is a pretty low-​key river – especially since the drought of the last few years. You actually have to walk your canoe through certain parts… not the most fun, but hey it’s all the experience right? Anyway, Tip-​A-​Canoe will provide canoes, paddles, and life jackets (for adults and children), as well as direction on how to, ahem, operate one of these vessels – if you are like me. They will bus you to your drop-​off point, and back to your car, depending on which route you take.
The short route is 5 miles (I think) which I would recommend if you have kids or are not very sure of what you are doing. The long route is great – 11 miles – and is ideal for adults who want a lazy day of floating down the river. It can get a bit tiring though, which is why I say do the short route if it’s your first go at the river.
Bring food, water, whatever you want that you are willing to drag around and put in your canoe. They «suggest» not to bring alcohol, but we always have a few beers with us. You just need to make sure you practice water safety, and remember that you have to drive back in to Nashville afterwards! It’s a ways out there…
Great for a summertime activity. I can’t wait to get back out there.

We did a canoe trip this past summer with tip-​a-​canoe and it was a lot of fun. We had 5 adults and 1 young child in 2 canoes and a kayak. We did the 11 mile trip but I would recommend a shorter one if your arms are not used to such physical activity. We took our time, enjoyed the beautiful scenery, swam, & had a picnic. It is really an all day thing and you will be exhausted by the end of it. Do call and make an appointment and check and make sure that the water level is not too low (this makes it a lot harder.) If you mention their website they will give you a 20% discount.