Float your cares away with a trip down the Kiski River

River recreation is easy to find in the Alle-Kiski Valley.

The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak, located in Gilpin along the Kiski River, offers canoe and kayak sales and a variety of rental water pursuits for all skill levels.

Married couple Neill and Evelyn Andritz of Avonmore opened River’s Edge in 2006.

They are avid kayakers, outdoor enthusiasts and are hands-on at River’s Edge — eager to instruct, guide and help their customers have the best river day possible.

Offering a bait and gear shop, fishing the Kiski is always a lure, and kayak fishing is more popular than ever.

“Anglers have been catching small mouth bass, walleye and catfish,” Neill Andritz says.

Customers select their mode of transportation, whether kayaking (most popular these days), tubing or canoeing. A shuttle service (included in the rental price) and boat launch is available.

“The tubing is the slowest method to navigate the river and big groups love the social and cooling off aspect of tubing and families really love tubing, too,” he says.

Visitors love to look for Millie, the “shop cat” feline ambassador often found mingling among the canoes and kayaks at River’s Edge.

The Kiski offers a safe and manageable water depth, usually less than 5 feet, Neill says.

“Our mission is to provide safe recreational opportunities on the water so people can enjoy the outdoors,” says Andritz. “Our customers love the family customer service approach. They can’t say enough great things about the Kiskiminetas River.”

The most popular trip is the 8-mile Roaring Run to River’s Edge, launching at Roaring Run in Apollo with an estimated float time of four to six hours.

A newly added camping option offers two sites — with primitive camping right along the edge of the river.

Primitive translates to “no-frills” tent camping, with a port-a-potty facility available.

“The river levels are good — about 5 feet now. The ideal depth for kayaking is around 3-5 feet. The Kiski is a nice slow moving river,” he says.

Barb Raschiatore, 74, of Vandergrift kayaks several times weekly with River’s Edge and was actually their first customer.

“They treat you so good,” Raschiatore says of the Andritzs.

“They go out of their way to make your day on the river good. This is my retirement hobby and a way to get my exercise.”

Raschiatore says she enjoys wildlife viewing while she kayaks, preferring solo trips and adding occasional group floats with friends.

“I have seen bald eagles, ospreys, snakes, deer and all of the waterfowl type birds,” she says. “It’s exciting to see them from your kayak. I haven’t seen a bear yet, but if I do, you’ll see me walking on water,” she jokes.

Every Thursday is Ladies Day (entire group must be female) with $5 off per boat.

Ask for a discount ($2 off per boat) on groups of 10 or more.

Waiver forms must be completed and no alcohol is permitted in shuttle vans or rented equipment.

All boats must be returned by 6:30 p.m.

River’s Edge was recognized in June by the Armstrong County Commissioners and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for its recreation and conservation efforts.

“We are thrilled with where our business is headed,” Andritz says. “We have one of the largest selections of fishing and recreational kayaks in Pennsylvania.”

River’s Edge operates seasonally — April 1 through Labor Day.

The bottom line: The Alle-Kiski’s only full-service sports and river recreation outfitters offering canoe, kayak and tubing rentals, primitive camping and float trips on the Kiski River. This is perfect for singles or groups who love the outdoors but don’t have time to travel to far off places. They’re kid-friendly (minimum age for rentals is 5) and they have shuttle service to Avonmore, Apollo and Vandergrift available. If you like it enough to make it your primary hobby, they have kayak and canoe sales, a gear shop and a boat launch on site.