Higher Pursuits

Higher Pursuits is located near Columbia, TN and offers a wide array of water-based adventures. We provide kayak rentals, canoe rentals, paddling classes, and guided trips on the Duck River.

Book Rentals or Shuttles

Explore our Kayak and Canoe Rentals

Improve your paddling skills with a Kayak Class

Experience one of our Guided Trips

Who we are:

Our goal is to connect you with the natural wonder of the river while providing great service, quality equipment and a family friendly environment.

In 1998, Higher Pursuits started providing teambuilding programs in Middle Tennessee as well as guided canoe trips. In 2009, as the economy shifted, we needed to reevaluate our business and expand our operation. This motivated us to build the canoe base and begin offering Kayak and Canoe Rentals. We selected the Duck River because of its amazing diversity of wildlife and the beauty of the section of the Duck River that flows through Maury County. Our Higher Pursuits Canoe base started with a love for the river and a passion for paddling, then built from there.

We now offer a wide selection of kayaks to rent as well as two-person kayaks (tandem kayaks) and canoes. Our paddling route flows through the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area and is great for all ability levels and ages 3 and up. In addition to our rental operation, Higher Pursuits offers numerous kayak classes, canoe classes, and guided trips.

Where we offer trips:

The section of the Duck River that we operate on is part of the Duck River Blueway and is a state scenic river. The Duck River has something for everyone and can be enjoyed by novices, families, and experienced paddlers. It features historic mill sites and a great abundance of wildlife. Many paddlers are fortunate enough to see great blue herons, belted kingfishers, bald eagles, minks, beavers, muskrats and river otters. In the water there are over 100 species of fish and thousands of freshwater mussels. The Duck River is designated as a freshwater mussel sanctuary.

In addition to the rental operation, we also provide outdoor education classes for both paddling skills and outdoor skills as well as guided trips. If you are a boy scout, girl scout or American Heritage Girls troop leader visit our Scout Leaders page to learn more about our program offerings.