Welcome to Canoe Escapes
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canoeing and kayaking near Tampa, Florida

Special Events

Moonlight Trip season is here!

These unique guided trips are really fun. We will explore 5 miles of the Hillsborough River from Trout Creek Park downstream to Rotary Park (Trip 3). We will start just before sunset and as the darkness takes over, our eyes will adjust allowing us to make out our path by the silhouettes from the moonlight. There is just enough light to make out the shoreline and treetops. Countless frogs, owls, and other creatures of the night often serenade us as we paddle through the “Narrows”. Our trip will take us into Lettuce Lake where we will encounter not only a wide variety of sleeping birds like herons, egrets, and spoonbills, but we will break out the flashlights to shine for ‘gator eyes as well! We will finish our trip with a 45-minute paddle to the take out, and then share in some coffee and desert at a nearby restaurant.

Moonlight trips are an experience all to themselves. If you have not been on one then you have missed out on one of the most amazing ways to experience the Hillsborough River!

  • You must bring 1 flashlight or headlamp per boat (headlamps recommended). A light with a red lens cover is a bonus.
  • We recommend that you bring a small cooler with a few soft drinks and snacks for the river trip. (No styrofoam or glass)
  • No children under 12 allowed, sorry.
  • Trip distance - 5 miles.
  • Trip duration - approximately 3 to 3-1/2 hours.
  • Start times will vary for each date. Details will be given when you make your reservation.

All trips start at Canoe Escape’s main location on Fowler Ave. See the top of our home page for directions to the shop.

Reservations & prepayment are required. Stop by or call our shop at 813-986-2067 to make your reservation. We do not take reservations on line.

Rates include all basic paddling gear, seatbacks for canoes, transportation, guide, and coffee / dessert afterward.

Tandem Canoe or Kayak $70.00
Solo Kayak $60.00
3rd Passenger in canoe $25.00

Rates above do not include Florida sales tax of 7%.

Dates for 2008

October 11
November 15
December 13

Dates for 2009

January 10
February 7
March 14*
April 11

*March is our annual fundraiser for Friends of the Park, held in conjunction with the Squiggy Classic. All proceeds (minus cost of dessert and coffee) go to this great organization!

We require a minimum # of 4 boats to run the trip.

Refunds will not be offered because YOU were late and missed the bus to the park. We preset canoes at the launch and have staff working a 16-18 hour day to run these trips. We staff according to reservations, so please be on time!

Moonlight Paddle
by Jean Faulk

Paddling along mother earth's womb with the
Shimmering glow of the night star lighting the path,
My spirit is filled with the warm peace of the closing day.
As the moon drifts behind a lingering cloud,
My eyes no longer see the way and my other senses are heightened :
My lips and tongue embrace the flavor of the evening breeze;
My ears reach out to sense each nearby rustle on the riverbank;
My nostrils can almost smell the earth cooling in the rising dew;
And my skin swells to encompass the void and touch the stars.
As the cloud passes and the light returns, I regain my human form
But a sprinkling of dust from the universe has attached itself to my soul
And I see more than the path.


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Canoe Escape, Inc.
9335 E. Fowler Avenue
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
ph: 813-986-2067
e-mail: info@canoeescape.com
www.canoeescape.com