Outfitter

From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside

Outfitters are companies which provide most or all gear, as well as maps, and trail advice for hiking and watersports trips. At the better outfitters, you can show up with nothing but your clothes and either buy or rent everything you need for your tip. You can also normally bring much or all of your own gear.

Once you have full gear, and you know where you're going, and you've been given any special info you may need for your trip (like what to do about alligators), the outfitter will generally transport you to your departure point, and give instructions about when and how to get picked up and brought back to the outfitter. This is especially useful for linear trails, canoeing, and kayaking, since you won't have to backtrack for half of your trip.

A good outfitter will always make sure you know how to use all the gear, including emergency gear, and will be happy to give you a bit of training here and there, as needed.

Most canoe and kayak outfitters will happily transport your boat for you, however they'll often charge just as much to transport your boat as they charge to rent theirs. Depending on how long of a trip you have to get to the outfitter, it may be easier to just rent the boat from them, rather than bring your own. Just make sure it's a boat you're comfortable using. If it's not, bring your own and just pay for the transport, then enjoy your nice, comfortable, familiar boat.