Key Bridge Boathouse

Directions & Info

Experience Paddling Under the Key Bridge

Daily Update

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FROM ROSSLYN METRO (3/4 MILE):

FROM FOGGY BOTTOM METRO (1 MILE):

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River Forecasts & Safe Paddling

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Float Plan Agreement

On July 21st, our Key Bridge Boathouse location is closed for the day.

Walk across Key Bridge and take the stairs on either side down to the canal. There are footbridges across the canal that lead to stairs on Water St. Walk back toward the bridge. We are located directly below Key Bridge!

From the rotary, walk West on K Street toward the waterfront. If you follow the waterfront park, we are located just on the other side of Key Bridge.

We are located near the very end of K Street, which turns into Water Street. From Georgetown, follow Wisconsin Ave. down toward the waterfront and take a right onto K St./Water St. Parking is extremely limited, but there is free 3-hour parking across the street and a parking garage up by the AMC Loews Movie Theater. The best time to park is early in the morning or later in the afternoon as it fills up fast on weekends!

We take safety on the Potomac and Anacostia very seriously. Even though it may seem like a beautiful day in DC, there are times that we need to close the facility due to unsafe river conditions.
First, the water temperature must be above 60 degrees to paddle without safety equipment such as wetsuits and dry suits. For extra safety just in case anyone falls in, we also enforce a “120 rule,” making sure that air temperature + water temperature is more than 120 degrees.

Second, river conditions can be dangerous if it rains to the west and the Potomac floods. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell just how strong the current is, so, we use the following guidelines based on two monitoring stations watching for flood conditions.

The first monitoring station is upstream of the Key Bridge Boathouse. This is a good indication of water movement coming down to us. The second is a monitoring station right downstream of us at the Georgetown Waterfront Park. If the thick blue line of both stations is below the yellow, then the river is in a calm state. If one of the station’s thick blue lines is in the yellow, then there is a risk and we will make a determination of whether to open or not. If both stations’ thick blue line is in the yellow, then we will be closed.
We also hold the right to close down operations based on any safety considerations we determine could present issues for guests and/or employees.
If you are concerned with the weather or any possible hazards closing our Boathouse, please call us at (202) 337-9642 to make sure we are open.

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Escape the hustle and bustle of the city! Enjoy the sights of the Potomac River as you paddleboard or boat past the Georgetown Waterfront, Roosevelt Island, some of DC’s most stunning monuments and under the beautiful Key Bridge. Or, you can kayak and board your way up river to the C&O canal for a relaxing day of tranquility.

Everyone from the knowledgeable employees to the joyful paddlers at Key Bridge Boathouse loves kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. We’re always up for sharing the fun and know you’ll love this superb water adventure.

Don’t forget! If you have a season pass you can use your guest vouchers to bring a friend for a kayaking lesson, a paddleboard fitness class, or just stop by for a paddle after work for fun out on the Potomac!

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