Clarke Outdoors Review

They were able to accommodate us even though we did not have an appointment

30 years ago I was put into the water here on the Housatonic River by Clarke Outdoors and just returned last week for a visit. They are still delightful people and are creative about the best spots to drop you into the river depending on the flows. Either way I feel this is such a good value. It's simple. For their fee they do everything. The boat, paddle, pfd and transport to and from the water. They're glad to help you and your friends or family have a great time. Call and check on the flows but either way, they have great places to put you into the river regardless if the water looks rocky. One other thing. To their credit they have a really nice collection of unique individual performance kayaks for purchase that you'll be hard pressed to find anyplace else. Good all around and best of all are these people.
Recommended.

We love you guys we always have a blast renting from you and getting on the river! Thank you!!

Pro s
Friendly staff
equipment good
Close to river
Nice views when going down river
Had bathrooms changing spot ect
Had water shoes gloves snacks drinks ect

Cons
No spot when kayaking to pull over and just hang out but we went down different spot cause low water level.
Not really clean swimmable area where we kayaked but not dirty just low water lever made it cloudy

Definitely would go back for the price and convenience well worth it

I would have given a 5-Star but I was surprised by 3 things that struck me the most especially considering the pandemic.
a. The restrooms at their office were not being sanitized even once a day hence they have a board which says thats its not in service. When most people come in and are ready for a Canoe trip, they would wanna visit the restroom before the 3 or 4 hour long activity. During Covid, not having sanitized the restroom is just not acceptable in my opinion.
b. The vans in which they transport people to the start of the activity did not seem to be cleaned or sanitized as well.
c. The canoes and paddles - I did not ask but i would think they aren't cleaned or sanitized as well.

The staff is very friendly and helpful. We had a good time canoeing for the first time.

To clarify the one star rating and to be fair...I planned my stay at Lake Waramaug specifically because I could rent a paddleboard from
this company which operates a rental station right on the lake. So convenient. I even made the 50 min drive up several days before making my reservation at the campground to get details and to be prepared as I was inviting a friend to join me to paddle the lake. This would have been her first paddle experience and we were both excited to go out. Their days and hours of operation are posted right on the bldg. where one would be to rent their equipment. I spoke with the young attendants, told them which days I would be camping here, asked them to suggest best days and times as they do not accept reservations. I was told that Tuesdays and Wednesdays were slower days so chances were very good we'd have no problem getting boards. Thursday, business picks up, closer to the weekend but they felt certain we could rent if we came closer to the time they open. Cash only.
I arrived, prepared with cash to paddle all three days, one of those days with a friend. Sadly there were no attendants at the rental station to rent from. Not at all. Not at any time on any of these three days. Correction... on Thursday the park manager, who knew of my plans and how disappointed I was on the two previous days, stopped by my site early afternoon to let me know there was someone now attending the rental station. Ten minutes later they were gone and probably because there were threats of late afternoon storms but had someone been there at their posted opening time at 10 a.m. that would have given us plenty of time to go out.
We may make a day trip up to paddle next week. I will update my review then with, hopefully, much more positive feedback.

Friendly and helpful staff. I had an enjoyable experience.

Did the 6 mile flat water kayaking with a group of 6 and had a blast!!! We ranged from pretty inexperienced to moderate experience and everyone walked away with huge smiles. Reasonably priced, great people, awesome experience

Excellent outfitter for paddling. Great staff, good selection and reasonable prices. Highly recommended!