Paddling Equipment (Kayaks, Canoes, Paddles, Life Jackets)
The paddling equipment on this page is stored at the Eastman Bays Mountain Recreation area located at 404 Bays Mountain Park Road, Kingsport, TN.
You must reserve equipment at least 3 days in advance since coordination of pick-up/drop-off is necessary. It is necessary to contact rental@tehcc.org to reserve all paddling equipment stored at the Bays Mountain Recreation area. The paddling coordinator (or their back-up) for TEHCC will get the email and will work to coordinate a pick-up and drop-off time for the equipment.
When reserving equipment, please give the following information:
- Name and contact information
- The ID number indicated in the table below for each piece of equipment that will be rented
- Dates for equipment rental with desired pick-up and drop-off times
- Location (lake/river/etc.) where equipment will be used
Equipment can be reserved as many as 30 days in advance. TEHCC and APEs members are the only people allowed to reserve this rental equipment. Pick-up and drop-off can be completed by others as long as it is coordinated ahead of time. A paddling rental waiver must be filled out and signed during the equipment pick-up. This waiver will require the person to sign that equipment is being used at the user’s own risk and life jackets will be worn at all times when using the equipment.
Payment will be done through the desk at B310. Payment can be made with cash, check, or card in person or with a credit card over the phone (423-229-3771)
| Rental Rates | |
| Rate | Per Day Rate |
| Full Trailer | $80.00 |
| Single Kayak | $30.00 |
| Single Canoe | $40.00 |
With the rental of the full trailer, 4 kayaks OR 2 kayaks + 1 canoe is included. Additional kayaks can be added to this rental if desired. Please inquire at rental@tehcc.org if you would like to rent longer than the per day rental listed above.
Individual Kayak/Canoe rentals require transportation of the equipment in a personal vehicle.
All rental equipment comes with the necessary paddles and life jackets. If the description shows “**OUT OF ORDER**”, the item needs repair and is not being rented.
| ID Number | Equipment Type | Weight | Description |
| HC-1 | Kayak | 44 lb | Lifetime Cruze Sit-In Kayak |
| HC-2 | Kayak | 44 lb | Lifetime Cruze Sit-In Kayak |
| HC-3 | Kayak | 41 lb | Pelican Rebel 100XR Sit-in Kayak |
| HC-4 | Kayak | 37 lb | Pelican Strike 100NXT Sit-in Kayak |
| HC-5 | Kayak | 44 lb | Pelican Strike 100NXT Sit-on Kayak |
| HC-6 | Kayak | 41 lb | Pelican Ultimate 100NXT Sit-on Kayak |
| HC-7 | Kayak | 50 lb | Lifetime Tahoma 10ft Sit-on Kayak |
| HC-8 | Canoe | 96 lb | Emotion Wasatch Canoe |
| Paddles | Link to Paddle Information | ||
| Life Jackets | Link to Life Jacket Information |
Paddling Suggestions / Recommendations (not comprehensive)
| Location (Lake / River) | Address for Put-in | Drive Time from Eastman Lodge |
| Boone Lake (Winged Deer Park) | •Winged Deer Lakeside Park parking area, off Carroll Creek Rd (Johnson City, TN 37601) | 30 minutes |
| Fort Patrick Henry Lake (Warriors’ Path State Park) | •Duck Island •the Marina •Cooks Valley Road (Near Colonial Heights, Kingsport, TN 37663) | 20 minutes |
| Watauga Lake | •Sink Mountain (free) •Little Milligan (potential fee) •Rat Branch (potential fee) •Watauga Dam Boat Ramp (Near Hampton, TN 37658 and Bulter, TN 37640) | 1 hour |
| Cherokee Lake | •TN344/Malindas Ferry Road •Caney Creek/Marble Hall Road (Near Rogersville, TN, 37857) | 50 minutes |
| Holston River | •Beluah Church Road •TVA Ramp on Wesley Road (recommend taking out at bridge under John B Dennis to avoid low head dam) •Domtar Park (Kingsport, TN 37663) | 20 minutes |
| South Holston Lake | •US421 Bridge •Observation Knob Park (near Bristol, TN 37620) | 50 minutes |