According to nature.org, the Duck River is one of the state’s most scenic waterways and North America’s most biologically diverse freshwater river. It is located entirely within the state of Tennessee and originates in the Barrens on the Highland Rim, flowing through seven Middle Tennessee counties. Its long deep pools and shallow stretches of mini-rapids wind 269 miles through Middle Tennessee.
Rentals are available in many locations and offer drop-off and pick-up services. Fill a cooler with snacks and drinks and launch your kayak or canoe at one of the many access points along the Duck River. Wood ducks, mallards, kingfishers, and songbirds serenade you. Expect to see deer, mink, and the shells of the once-endangered mussels. Look overboard for bass, channel catfish, and darters. Watch out for logs, limbs, gravel bars, and tricky drops that sometimes appear out of nowhere.
End your float with dinner at a nearby restaurant or cook over a campfire near the river. An overnight stay under the canopy of starlight is just what you need.
