The Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club runs free, self-guided canoe trips on the Gowanus Canal every Saturday and Sunday through October 18, no experience required and no reservation needed — you just walk up to the boathouse at 165 2nd Street in Brooklyn and they outfit you with a life jacket and paddle. After a few minutes of basic instruction, you’re on the water paddling past the canal’s surreal mix of wildlife and industrial infrastructure: herons standing on abandoned pilings, the occasional glimpse of a turtle, and the hulking silence of the old grain elevators. An audio tour explains the canal’s history, Superfund cleanup, and ongoing revitalization. Trips are self-guided — you pace yourself inside the protected canal — and typically run about 20 minutes if there’s a crowd. Open to all ages, and minors just need a guardian’s signature. Wear close-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind splashing.
Free Canoeing on the Gowanus Canal — Paddle NYC's Most Interesting Waterway
Free self-guided canoeing on the Gowanus Canal every Saturday and Sunday through Oct 18 — no experience needed, just show up at the Gowanus Dredgers boathouse in Brooklyn.