Kayak Quest: River Scavenger Hunt FAQs

The scavenger hunt is a guided, facilitated two hour on-water game from Shelby Park to Riverfront Park. You and your friends, family, team, or co-workers are given a list of clues to solve a crossword puzzle. There are general knowledge clues and clues found on your river paddle. Unscramble a word at the end to win a prize! Learn the history of the Cumberland River and feel like a kid again during this unique and fun adventure. A great way to spend quality time outside making memories, team-building, and having fun on the water. Unbelievable views and photos too!

* Scavenger Hunt game

* Kayak

* Paddle

* Life jacket (to be worn AT ALL TIMES)

* Shuttle upriver to kayak launch site

* Safety Demonstration

* Smartphone drybag

* Gorgeous Nashville skyline views

* Prize for the winner

Group minimum is 6 people and maximum is 50 people. The cost is $55/person. Cost includes scavenger hunt clue packets (you can play analog or digital), a phone dry bag ($10 value), RQV sticker ($5 value), and a trained RQV river guide/facilitator. The number of guides and facilitators depends on your group size.

Yes. While same day bookings are sometimes available, we facilitate this adventure with your group so we ask for at least a week of lead time. For this reason, please book online or call us at 615-933-9778 to book and confirm your Scavenger Hunt reservation.

We HIGHLY recommend walking, biking, scootering, or taking a ride share to the Bridge Building / Ghost Ballet as downtown parking is limited and unpredictable. If you are driving, you can try to find street parking near the stadium -OR- you can meet us at the put-in point at Shelby Park (free parking) and we can shuttle you on the back end of your paddling excursion after we have the kayaks loaded back onto the trailers.

There is often free parking in and around the stadium as long as there are no events going on. Be sure to allow extra time to park and meet the shuttle.

If you are meeting us in Shelby Park, there is plenty of free parking. Groups of 35 or more must provide their own transportation.

*We are not responsible for any parking fees that may occur — please be aware of any no parking signs and allow plenty of time for parking!*

Arrive *at least* 15 mins before your scheduled trip.

The shuttle leaves promptly at your scheduled reservation time and cannot be held for late arrivals. If you arrive late, you can meet us at the put-in location.

**We paddle rain or shine.**

The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority. Therefore, we may need to cancel for severe weather threats. Severe weather cancellations may not be made until the start of the tour – we will notify you if made in advance of the trip. Continue reading for our cancellation policy.

We get it, plans change. That's why we now offer FlexTicket! Upgrade your ticket(s) to FlexTicket at check out to make them fully adjustable/refundable (less the FlexTicket fee) for any reason up to 24hrs in advance of the event.

Without FlexTicket, all sales are FINAL. (That means absolutely no refunds, reschedules, or store credits unless your trip is canceled on our end due to unforeseen events/severe weather.)

Please be sure to select the number of tickets you would like to upgrade to FlexTickets.

Didn’t get a FlexTicket and can’t make your reservation? Don’t worry, your ticket won’t go to waste. We “bank” those funds and put them toward our community engagement efforts, providing free or low-cost river fun to students, nonprofits, etc.

DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE IS BUSY! We try our best to make sure all our activities run on time but in the event that we need to cancel your journey due to road closures, inclement weather, or any other unforeseen circumstances, we will do our best to reschedule your trip or find a commensurate accommodation.

*Routes and start times subject to change due to road closures, special events, construction etc. We will notify you as soon as the information becomes available.*

Of course! All of our drivers and river guides are CPR/FIRST AID CERTIFIED and will provide a quick Kayaking 101 and safety demonstration before launching you onto the Class 1 flat water Cumberland River. Regardless of experience-level, Metro Parks, Army Corps of Engineers, and River Queen require that all kayakers wear lifejackets for the entirety of their paddle.

If you would like a tandem kayak instead of a single kayak, please let us know when you make your booking.

Comfortable clothing and sun protection are always recommended. You can bring your phone as a dry bag will be provided. Small coolers will fit on back of your kayak.

You can leave anything you do not wish to bring or get wet in our shuttle vans and it will be waiting for you at pull-out spot.

*Please know that if you leave items in our van, we are not responsible for anything lost or stolen.*

Yes! Please wear comfortable clothing, shoes that can get wet, and sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.). We have dry bags for your phone available as part of the scavenger hunt.

Our kayaks are sit-on-top kayaks so it is normal for a bit of water to splash in but don’t worry; they are also designed to be very hard to sink or flip.

If you are going out after the paddle, you may want to bring a change of clothes, especially for your bottom half.

Because this an activity where you will be paddling on a river shared with larger industrial and recreational boats, we do not recommend children under 7, and children under 10 must be in a tandem kayak with parent/guardian. If you wish to kayak with a child under the age of 7, please call us at 615-933-9778.

We allot 2(two) hours for the scavenger hunt but the total length of your experience depends on how strongly and which direction the wind is blowing, how fast the river current moves, and the amount of recent rainfall. Please add an extra hour onto your trip time for shuttling and loading/unloading of kayaks.

Our drivers and guides definitely appreciate tips! It shows them they did a great job taking care of you by getting you on the river safely and lets them know you enjoyed your experience. 18% is customary and will be added to groups of 6 or more for your convenience. We’ve made it easy to add gratuity online when booking your reservation, or we are happy to accept cash or venmo tips at the end of your paddle.

The Cumberland River is wide and paddles more like a lake so this is an ACTIVE PADDLE, meaning you will be using your arms most of the time. When the river is low and/or the wind is coming from the S/SE/SW, the paddle can be a bit more strenuous than normal.

There is little to no shade on this portion of the river so bring adequate SUN PROTECTION.

The river is a Class 1 flat water commercial waterway so there are no rapids. You will likely share the river with barges, riverboats, fishing boats, and other motorized pleasure craft that can create some small wake. Metro Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers require that you **wear a life jacket at all times** on the Cumberland River.

Call us! 615-933-9RQV (9778). We love to put people on the river!