Greater Lansing Offers Places to Kayak, Canoe, and SUP

Wondering where to find places to kayak or a boat launch around Lansing? 

Paddling or floating down a river is the perfect way to spend a summer day in Lansing with your family, so we’ve put together a list of popular places for water sports.

Please, always wear a life jacket when enjoying water sports, whether adult or child.

Water Activities in Lansing

Here’s a rundown of what’s available in and around our area:

• Tubing – Float on an inner tube down a meandering river. It’s popular to float coolers down the river, too. Often, groups will rope tubes together. Choose a river that is shallow and sandy.
• Kayaking – Kayaks are available at most rental outlets and are easier to navigate than canoes. If you’re taking a young child, choose a double kayak.
• Canoeing – Recommended for more confident paddlers than kayakers.
• Rafting – A few places around Michigan offer raft trips, on which one or more people can paddle a raft down a river.
• Stand-up paddle Boards (SUPs) – Available for rent near lakes.

• Wear a life jacket to ensure compliance with local boating regulations and prioritize safety. Opt for bright colors or high-visibility gear for enhanced safety.
• Select a suitable section of the river or lake that matches your family’s paddling ability. Beginners and families should consider choosing an easy river route.
• Inform a trusted individual about your excursion plans, including your destination, route, and expected return time.
• Stay vigilant about the weather conditions. Check the forecast beforehand and be prepared for unexpected rain. Consider carrying a weather radio for timely alerts about adverse weather conditions.
• Keep your cellphone packed in a waterproof bag for emergency communication purposes.

Canoe and Kayak Rentals in the Lansing Area

There are so many places to get out on the water around Greater Lansing. Our top picks for kayak, canoe, and boat rental are below.

River Town Adventures
530 River St, Lansing 48933
Opened almost year-round

One of our favorite places to kayak not only because of their kayak rentals but also because of the super fun-themed adventures they plan throughout the seasons!

Hawk Island
1601 E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing 48910
Rentals available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Rent pedal boats or kayaks. Children under 12 need an adult rider for rowboats and pedal boats. Pedal boats can be rented by those 13+ with adult approval. A valid ID is necessary for boat rentals.

Burchfield Park
881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt 48842
Rentals available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Burchfield offers canoe and kayak rentals on the river and pedal boat rental on the pond.

Dimondale Canoe and Kayak
9995 Billwood Hwy, Dimondale 48821
Rentals available on weekends and holidays only with reservations.

Head here for tubes, single and double kayaks, and canoes. Life jackets available with rental.

Park Lake Creamery
6320 Park Lake Rd, Bath 48808
Seasonal

Rent a kayak, canoe, stand-up board, water trike, or fishing boat. Or, take a ride around the lake in their pontoon!

The Power of Water
420 E Saginaw St, Lansing 48906
Year-round indoor or outdoor dependent upon weather.

Located in the heart of Lansing, this place offers many boating and water adventures in and around the Lansing, and also across the entire US! SUP Boarding, white water adventures, trainings, trips, and more!

MSU Sailing Center
5918 Shaw St, Haslett 48840
Seasonal

Kayak, canoe, versa board, and SUP available for rent on Lake Lansing. MSU Student discount available.

Canoe, Kayak, and Boat Launch Locations Around Lansing

If you own your own kayak, canoe, or fishing boat, here are some great places to launch around Lansing. More information on these locations can be found in our parks guide.

Bath

• Park Lake Creamery – 6320 Park Lake Rd, Bath Twp, 48808

Charlotte

• Crandall Park – 3425 E Clinton Trl, Charlotte, 48813

DeWitt

• Riverside Park – 405 S Bridge St, DeWitt, 48820
• Looking Glass Riverfront Park – 3912 Herbison Rd, DeWitt, 48820

Dimondale

• Dimondale Canoe and Kayak – 9995 Billwood Hwy, Dimondale, 48821

Eaton Rapids

• Bunker Road Canoe Landing – 11000 Bunker Hwy, Eaton Rapids, 48827

Grand Ledge

• Island Park – 206 W River St, Grand Ledge, 48837
• Jaycee Park – 525 E River St, Grand Ledge, 48837
• Grand Kayak – 13920 State Rd, Grand Ledge, 48837
• Fitzgerald Park – 100 Fitzgerald Park Dr, Grand Ledge, 48837

Holt

• Valhalla Park – 2287 Pine Tree Rd, Holt, 48842
• Esker Landing Park – 1694 Cedar St, Holt, 48842
• Burchfield Park – 881 Grovenburg Rd, Holt, 48842

Laingsburg

• Sleepy Hollow – 7835 E Price Rd, Laingsburg, 48848

Lansing

• River Town Adventures – 530 River St, 48933
• Cherry Hill Park – 515 River St, 48933
• Hawk Island – 1601 E Cavanaugh Rd, 48910
• Moores Park – 400 Moores River Dr, 48910
• Crego Park Kruger’s Landing – 1600 Fidelity Rd, 48910
• Rotary Park – Lansing Riverfront – 305 City Market Dr, 48912
• Brenke Fish Ladder – Old Town Lansing – 216 E Grand River Ave, 48906
• Tecumseh Park Kayak Launch – 2224 Tecumseh River Rd, 48906
• Frances Park – 2600 Moores River Dr, 48911
• Sharp Park – 1401 Elmwood Rd, 48917
• Delta Mills Park Boat Launch 6998 Old River Trail #6800, 48917

• McNamara Boat Landing – 6450 W Columbia Rd, 48854

Okemos

• Harris Nature Center – 3998 Van Atta Rd, 48864
• Ferguson Park – 4540 Okemos Rd, 48864

St. Johns

• Motz Park – 4630 N DeWitt Rd, 48879

Boat Rentals Beyond Lansing

If you’re looking for a quick summer getaway in a new place, here are some adventures your family will love that are all within an hour or two from Lansing!

Thornapple River U-Rent-Em Canoe
Hastings
Another place catering to families is U-Rent-Em Canoe in Hastings on the Thornapple River. They are located in downtown Hastings and provide canoe, kayak and tube rentals (just under 1-hour drive from Lansing).

Greenville Area Recreation
Greenville

Gather your loved ones and enjoy a delightful day on the river. You can pick your own route and explore the nearby waterways or venture up north to revel in the picturesque sights of Northern Michigan. Offering a range of options, from tubing to canoeing and kayaking. (Approximately 1-hour from Lansing).

Double R Ranch
Belding

Double R Ranch is fun and you can ride horses there, too. Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing trips are available. (1-hour drive from Lansing.)

Millennium Park
Walker

If you’re looking for a lake experience, consider Millennium Park. This 1500 acre park has a boathouse, allowing visitors to paddle the main lakes in the park. The DeVos Family Boathouse offers kayaks, paddle boats, canoes, stand up paddleboards, and rowboats for rent. (1-hour drive from Lansing.)

Indian Valley Campground and Canoe
Middleville

You can also go tubing, canoeing, rafting, or kayaking and – you don’t even have to be staying at the campground. They also rent paddle boats. (1-hour drive from Lansing.)

Rogue River
Rockford

Head to Rockford for an easy, short trip on the Upper Rogue. It’s not too long and a very mellow river. NOTE: The Lower Rogue is not kid-friendly or for those new to kayaking. BONUS: You can get ice cream by the Rockford Dam where you end your trip. AAA Canoe Rental has kayaks, tubes and canoes. (1-hour drive from Lansing.)

Huron River
Ann Arbor

Paddle the Huron with Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery or H2E River Adventures! They offer tubes, kayaks, and canoe rentals and trips. (1-hour drive from Lansing.)

Muskegon River 
Newaygo

If you’re looking for a river with opportunities to get out and splash, head to Newaygo and float the Muskegon River with Wisner Rents Canoes. They also rent kayaks, tubes, and rafts. (Just under a 2-hour drive from Lansing.) 

Want even more places to launch your canoe, kayak, or boat? Paddling.com keeps a map of over 48K all over the world. It has some of our favorite hidden gems listed (like the Bass River Recreation Area), so we know it’s well-researched!

Tell Us Where You Paddle

Did we miss your favorite paddling spot? Comment below to let us know where you kayak or canoe near Lansing.