Buy 2025 Season Pass

Be sure to check our Marina hours for the upcoming holiday season before you visit!

Special
Offer
Indoor Rowing Classes All Winter!

Join an Indoor Rowing Class at Thompson Boat Center every Thursday and Saturday. Just $20 per session—or $15 if you’re a 2025 Season Pass holder! Perfect your form, boost your endurance, and take your rowing skills to the next level.

Make a Reservation


Experience paddling under the Key Bridge

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, the Lincoln Memorial, 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.

Private boat storage

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Amenities

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  • Port-o-potties on site
  • Changing tent
  • Lockers available (locks for rent for $2)
  • Private kayaks can be launched from our dock for a small fee
  • Dogs are welcome (dog life jackets available)
  • Snacks and beverages for sale
  • Picnic tables can be reserved for a fee
  • Fishing is allowed from boats
  • Private boat storage is available

Float Plan Agreement

All participants will need to complete the online waiver prior to arrival for your rental.

Download Float Plan Agreement

The waiver link can also be found in the green “Next Step” box in your rental confirmation email.

The link can be shared with all participants to complete so you are ready to go for your rental when you arrive on site.

Group Event Inquiries

This form is for groups of 20 boats or more.

Key Bridge - Group Event Inquiries
Preferred time of Event (Please note discounted rates are eligible on bookings Mon-Fri all day and Sat-Sun before 11am)
Preferred boat type (Select all that apply)

POLICIES & PAYMENT PROCEDURES

BLACKOUTS

No group events on holidays (Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Father's Day, July 4th, Labor Day)

ADULT CHILD RATIO

  • Under 8 = 1 adult* : 1 child 
  • Ages 8-12 = 1 adult* : 5 children (4 pedal boats) 
  • Ages 13-15 = 1 adult* : 8 children (6 pedal boats) 

* “adult” = 16 and older; at least one adult participant on the water must be over 18

Waivers must be completed by all minors' parents prior to the event.

RESTRICTIONS/GUIDELINES

  • Reservations and pre-payment are required for group events. Pre-payments must be made no later than 72 hours post booking. Pre-payment is 20% of booking fee.
  • Groups not booked prior to 72 hours in advance cannot be guaranteed. 
  • No refund or credit will be given for a cancellation made within 8 hours of the event.
  • One person must pay for full booking. 
  • Group reservations cancelled more than 72 hours in advance are eligible for refund of the pre-payment amount less a 10% registration fee or a full refund on to a gift card. 
  • No refunds will be provided for group events cancelled within 72 hours of the event time (this includes boats not used on day of event). 
  • A credit gift card will be provided for cancellations made after 72 hours, but a 20% registration fee will be deducted from the credit amount. 
  • Catering options are subject to their own cancellation policy. 
  • Rental period starts at the reserved time. No time will be added to your rental period if you are delayed arriving on site. 
Sending

Boating Camp for Kids (ages 9-13)

Youth Boating Day Camps are a great way to spend summer days having fun and making new friends…

All of our camps strive to teach safe boating in a fun learning environment by instructing and reinforcing boating safety and skills. Our goal is to teach campers both independence and teamwork and to promote self-confidence both on the water and off. It’s high-energy outdoor fun on the water, which includes a lot of transitioning and a variety of activities.

Our camper to camp staff ratio is 8 to 1, allowing campers and counselors to follow social distancing guidelines while still promoting safe personal interactions. Each camper is assigned a specific counselor during the weeks session. Counselors are expected to supervise campers specifically grouped with them and to keep general awareness of the activities of other counselors’ groups.

Hands-on experience is the best way to learn to paddle, so our emphasis is on learning by doing. Weather permitting, kids will be boating 90% of the time and should wear shorts, shirts, rubber-soled shoes (no flip flops), and should bring other clothing appropriate for the forecast.

All week long camps run Monday through Friday, 10am – 4pm. Extended day option is available for drop off as early as 830am Monday – Friday and pick up as late as 530pm Monday – Thursday for an additional fee.

Enroll Now

Birthday Parties

Yes, we do host birthday parties!

Set sail on the most thrilling birthday celebration ever with our Ultimate Paddling Birthday Adventure Package! Learn more here.

River Forecasts & Safe Paddling

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.

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.

Directions & Travel

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. Please note that there is no onsite parking at our site. There is limited street parking on Water St east of 34th St. We recommend parking in the garage by the AMC Loews Movie Theatre…

DC Metro

FROM ROSSLYN METRO (3/4 MILE):

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 FOGGY BOTTOM METRO (1 MILE):

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.

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Classes & Tours Now Available

Come out and learn on the water

Available classes at Keybridge Boathouse – Kayak Orientation, Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga, Yoga on the Docks, SUP Monuments Tour – for experience SUPers only!!

Sign up today

KEY BRIDGE