Kayak Pittsburgh

Did you know Kayak Pittsburgh and Venture Outdoors are related? For nearly 25 years, Venture Outdoors has operated Kayak Pittsburgh and helped create countless memories on the water.

In order to emphasize that relationship and save our staff valuable time, we will be consolidating accounts as our 2025 season gets underway. This account will not be deleted but all of our content will now exclusively be posted on Venture Outdoors

Make sure you don't miss any paddling updates this summer! Head over to the Venture Outdoors page and give us a like to learn more about all of our outdoor experiences!

Time is running out to purchase our UNLIMITED Annual Pass for the 2025 paddling season. But don't worry - the deadline has been EXTENDED!

Act fast! While our other multi-use pass options will be available for purchase throughout the summer, the Annual Pass will be going away soon. Visit our website to pick one up today!

Help us create more moments like this one on the water in 2025! Our Adopt-a-Kayak campaign is still raising funds to assist with the final costs of our NEW downtown location opening this summer!

Click the link below to donate today and adopt a kayak, PFD, paddle, or stand-up paddle board that will be used at the community hub for years to come 🛶

https://ventureoutdoors.org/adopt/

Although the weather outside is delightful, remember the water temperature is still quite frightful!🥶

Per our friends at NOAA, warm air doesn’t always mean warm water in rivers, lakes, or streams, and even water temperature that may not sound very cold can be deadly. Plunging into cold water of any temperature becomes dangerous if you aren’t prepared for what the sudden exposure can do to your body and brain. Warm air temperatures can create a false sense of security for boaters and beach goers, so if you are planning to be on or near the water, arrive knowing the conditions and how to protect yourself. And don't forget that there is still a mandatory cold-water life jacket mandate in place in Pennsylvania until April 30!

Want to learn more about water safety and the basics of boating? Then join the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on Saturday, April 26 at Elizabeth Township Municipal Building for a ✨️free✨️ Boating Safety Education Certificate Course! Pre-register at https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/227804 to reserve your spot today.

Paddle season is right around the corner! Visit our website to purchase a Paddle Pass for a great deal on rentals! These can be used at any of our Kayak Pittsburgh hubs. Act fast - the unlimited pass is ONLY on sale until May 1!

Spring has sprung 🌷 Our community programs are a great way to get outside and enjoy the turning of the season! Check out our upcoming events and visit our website to sign up!

Do you love sharing the outdoors with your community? Do you find yourself pointing out fun nature fact to your friends and family? Do you like kayaking? Are you looking for a rewarding summer job? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Venture Outdoors may be the place for you - we are hiring for multiple positions right now!

Follow the link below to apply on our website!

https://ventureoutdoors.org/about/employment-opportunities/

We are getting there!

$1.3M kayak hub outside Convention Center 'further positions Pittsburgh as an outdoor destination' Venture Outdoors projects its initiative will bring more than 10,000 paddlers to the site this year.

Venture Outdoors right on time! (we checked)

Spring Equinox 2025: When Is It, and What is It? We greet the first day of the new season with the spring equinox, but what is it, exactly? And why does the first day of spring change? We explain.

Help us open the Downtown Community Hub - a large, floating kayak dock! Entering the Allegheny River just outside of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center this spring/early summer, the site will serve as a kayak rental hub and create access to the river for groups, classes, and youth programs. We anticipate serving over 10,000 community members every year through the Hub!

We are still raising funds for the final costs for this project, and we need your help! Our goal is $100,000. Adopt a kayak, paddle, PFD, or stand-up paddle board through our "Adopt-a-Kayak" campaign! Donate today and be part of the excitement!

https://ventureoutdoors.org/adopt/

Dearest Friends & Supporters of Venture Outdoors,

We have some important updates to share with you, and we want to be open about the challenges we’re facing. Like many nonprofits, we rely heavily on grant funding to bring outdoor experiences to our community, from guided hikes and paddles to youth camps and outdoor education programs. These funds also support our incredible staff, the people who make each adventure possible.

Recently, we experienced a sudden and unexpected funding cut, which has deeply impacted our ability to operate as we have in the past. In response, we had to make some extremely difficult decisions, including reducing our staff and restructuring our budget to ensure we could continue providing outdoor experiences for years to come. It’s been a difficult time, but one thing remains unchanged, our commitment to making the outdoors accessible to everyone.

For over two decades, Venture Outdoors has been breaking down barriers so that people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can get outside, explore nature, and build community. We know how important these experiences are, now more than ever. And we know we’re not alone. We have an incredible community of outdoor lovers, adventure seekers, and supporters who believe in this mission just as much as we do.

So if you’ve ever laced up your hiking boots, paddled on one of our kayaks, joined us for a group adventure, or simply believe in the power of the outdoors, we’re asking for your support. Here are a few ways you can help:

💜 Donate – Every dollar goes directly towards keeping our programs running.

🫱🏼‍🫲🏿 Become a Member – Your membership helps ensure Venture Outdoors can offer outdoor experiences year-round.

🎣 Join an Outing – Sign up for a guided hike, fishing excursion, or community program.

🏕 Youth Camps & Classes – Register your little learner for one of our summer camps.

🛶 Grab a Paddle - Join us for a paddle at one of our Kayak Pittsburgh locations this summer!

Your support today means a stronger, more sustainable future for Venture Outdoors and for all of us who cherish outdoor adventure. As always, thank you for being part of this community. We truly couldn’t do this without you.