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Useful Lansing area tidbits for families
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.
Here’s a rundown of what’s available in and around our 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.
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.
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!
Did we miss your favorite paddling spot? Comment below to let us know where you kayak or canoe near Lansing.
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