Locals looking for outdoor adventures need to look no farther than just off Hwy 137 for a canoeing adventure down Yellow River.

Bearfoot Outfitters owner Marty Young said he opened the canoe excursion three years ago.

“I opened it because there wasn’t anything in the area like this,” he said. “We owned the property next to the river. I want people to know there are beautiful things to do here. You don’t have to go to Florida. We have huge boulders. You can ride down the river with a beer in your hand, and no one will say a word to you.”

The prime time to leave is 9 a.m., he said, though, it is possible to leave a little later.

“We just want you back to the landing before dark,” he said. “It’s a six-hour trip when you factor in lunch and playtime. It’s a lot of fun.”

Just ask friends and employees at David’s Catfish House, who recently took advantage of the trip down Yellow River through the Conecuh National Forest.

“We had a blast,” said organizer Donna Kelley. “We had two different canoes tip over.”

Kelley said in all, 11 employees and friends took the trip.

Kelley said she found out about the canoe trip from her nephew and passed it along to her fellow employees.

“He and his wife do it all the time, and we went to check it out,” she said. “Last year, Genise, the girl who works here, wanted to get up a trip, but we never did. So, (this year) we decided to do it.”

Kelley said the crew made a day of the trip.

Young said it’s a great opportunity for locals.

“It’s very affordable, just $15 per person,” he said. “I know people are stressed, because I know I am, and that’ll wear you down. It’s a great time to take the day off and rest.”

The only requirement is that two adults ride in the canoe, he said.

Kelley said it was nice to take their time and swim and eat on the way down the river.

“It was a good day of fellowship,” she said. “It was nice to kick back, relax and enjoy the scenery — and the people dumping their canoes.”

Young said he’s only open in the summer; however, he does offer a guided tour in the winter time.

It’s open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; however, if a large group is interested in canoeing during the week, special arrangements can be made, he said.

Overnight trips in the national forest or on the private beach are available.

“You can float during the day, then spend the night, and we’ll pick you up if you want to float again,” he said.

Young said it’s easy to find them. From Wing, travel east on County Road 4 about 5.5 miles.

“You can’t miss us,” he said.

For more info, call 334-343-5954.