Throughout his five years of renting kayaks and bicycles and leading tours for each on the Arkansas River and across Little Rock, Samuel Ellis has faced plenty of challenges. But with an indefatigable spirit and solid business sense, he’s always been able to keep Rock Town River Outfitters afloat through all the storms.
The River Market-based storefront is packed with dozens of bikes for cruising the city’s streets, while a separate boathouse holds nearly 40 kayaks that can accommodate large groups or small for sunset tours of the Little Rock skyline. For Ellis, the idea was born out of a lifelong passion for outdoor fitness.
“After college, I took a job as a pro whitewater raft guy in Colorado on the Arkansas River,” the Little Rock native recalls. “I spent a couple seasons up there and fell in love with working on the water, and also got familiar with the tourism industry. People travel all over the country to see the river in Colorado, so why not see it in Little Rock? It’s just as beautiful.
“So I bought three kayaks and ran them on the weekends and after work. I was an energy analyst for a sustainability firm called Integrity, so on the weekends I was kayaking and taking guests out, and during the day I was doing that desk job.”
The list of bumps he had to cruise over since opening is harrowing. Lime brand scooters hit the streets in 2018, proving to be intense competition against bicycles. In 2019, a new location on the Little Maumelle River opened up, only to be hit by the notorious “100-year flood.”
Then in 2020, the pandemic hit, shutting down or restricting countless businesses. But Ellis lucked out because he was offering outdoor outings that people could safely enjoy, while also displaying the fact that all bikes and kayaks were sanitized between customers.
One sign of positive growth that he’s particularly proud of is the cooperation offered by the City of Little Rock, and especially promoting the business to visitors at the nearby convention center. Countless out-of-towners have chosen his tours to discover the city made famous by President Clinton.
“My favorite part is getting to see people have a light bulb turn on,” explains Ellis. “If they’re local and never knew what’s in their backyard, kayaking is a great way to see the city, and most didn’t even know it was an existing option. On the biking side, people have seen the bike trail but when people ride it all the way to Two Rivers Bridge, the Big Dam Bridge or even Pinnacle, they realize it’s all connected.
“It makes them appreciate the city they live in a lot more and they’re proud to know that all this exists in their hometown,” he continues. “And the out-of-towners’ biggest comment is, ‘I really underestimated Little Rock.’ And I’ve heard that a lot of times from a lot of people.”
The tours are two hours long, with the River Mountain tour on the Little Maumelle River costing $75 and the Arkansas River tours running $85. Ellis notes that as the sun goes down, the life jackets come on and everyone turns on their own LED lights.
“I’ve heard it described as the most peaceful rave party you could ever imagine,” Ellis says. “And as we paddle down near the downtown bridges with their lights on, people on the bridges are looking down at our own light show. It’s really a piece of magic.”
Rock Town River Outfitters Bike Shop is located at 400 President Clinton Ave. Suite A, Little Rock. Call (501)831-0548.
Rock Town River Outfitters Boat House is located at 4420 River Mountain Road, Ste. A, Little Rock, AR 72212. Call (501)831-0548.
For more information, visit rocktownriveroutfitters.com.
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