It’s basically pointless to live in Michigan and not enjoy the Great Lakes — and the best way to do that is by boat. Here are all the places where you can rent a boat (in case you can’t BYOBoat).

Game On Paddleboarding2433 W. Predmore Rd. Oakland Charter Township; 248-690-6241; gameonpaddleboarding.comGame On Paddleboarding offers paddleboard yoga, group tours, and more. For people unfamiliar with paddleboarding, they also offer lessons for people of all ages. Photo via Game on Paddle Boarding / Facebook
Clinton River Canoe and Kayak37328 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights; 248-421-3445; clintonriverkayak.comClinton River Canoe and Kayak is the perfect outdoor adventure for families or thrill-seekers. The river offers class II or III rapids for serious adventurers or more family-friendly tours. Photo via Clinton River Canoe & Kayak Rentals / Facebook
Black River Kayak Company 43 N Howard Ave – Croswell, MI 48422? (810) 304-2951 BlackRiverKayaks.comThis rental destination offers extensive outdoors options with trips up the Black River and complimentary transportation back down. With campgrounds on the river, the outdoor possibilities are endless. Customers can choose to rent by the hour or even 5 hour trips but remember, this is a cash only place, so hit the ATM before you come. Photo via Black River Kayak Company / Facebook
Riverside Kayak Connection4016 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-2925; riversidekayak.comIf you’re looking for a fun way to enjoy Belle Isle or the Detroit River, Flynn Memorial Pavilion has an array of rental options, including canoes, pontoon pedal boats, solo kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards that can be rented by the hour. Bicycles for two or four people are also available. Photo via Riverside Kayak Connection / Facebook
Kensington MetroParks4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford; 810-227-8910; metroparks.comThere are both swan- and rubber ducky-shaped pedal boats available for rent here. ‘Nuff said. Photo by Barbara Kalbfleisch / Shutterstock.com
Detroit River SportsAlgonquin Park Dr., Detroit; 313-908-0484; detroitriversports.comDetroit River Sports offers an expert experience in Stand up paddleboard or kayak tours around the Detroit River. Tour group sizes vary, but customers who want a more intimate tour can reserve a private tour online. Photo via Detroit River Sports / Facebook
Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery3902 E. Delhi Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-769-8686; paddlethehuron.comMore of a night owl? Not a problem at Skip’s. This year they’re featuring glow-in-the-dark canoeing. They offer canoe and tube rentals located in Delhi Metropolitan Park. In addition, they offer tubing along the Huron River, also new this year. Photo via Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery / Facebook
That’s WasSUP 141 E. Walled Lake Dr., Walled Lake; 248-345-3223; thatswassupdetroit.comWhether you’re an experienced paddleboarder or a first time rider, all can agree this stand-up paddleboard shop has a great name. You can also do yoga here, truly a win-win situation. Photo via That’s wasSUP / Facebook
Simple Adventures31300 Metropolitan Pkwy., Harrison Twp.; 844-935-2925; simpleadventures.netSimple Adventures offers kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, and bike rentals. Additionally, classes and private lessons are offered with certified kayak and paddleboard instructors. Photo via Simple Adventures Kayak Rental / Facebook
Great Lakes Surf Shop23517 Nine Mack Dr., St. Clair Shores; 586-359-6951; greatlakessurf.comIn addition to rentals, Great Lakes Surf Shop offers wetsuits, paddleboards, accessories, and anything else you may need for a summer of fun in the water. The shop also participates in races for people looking for a little competition with their paddleboarding. Photo via Great Lake Surf Shop / Facebook
Detroit Outpost11000 Freud St., Detroit; 313-422-3618; detroitoutpost.comThe Motor City is Kayak City. Detroit Outpost offers two-hour kayak trips. Bonus: they also host weekend barbecues by Bert’s. Photo via Detroit Outpost / Facebook
Stony Creek Metropark4300 Main Park Rd., Shelby Township; 586-781-4242; metroparks.comThe park hosts an abundance of outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and boat rentals of all kinds. The park also offers a campground for people trying to get a taste of “up north” down here in southeast Michigan. Photo via Stony Creek Metropark / Facebook
EZ Kayak River208 N. Bridge St. Linden; 810-241-1195; ezkayakrental.comLocated on the banks of the beautiful Shiawassee River, EZ Kayak and Canoe Rental offers all kinds of trips up or down the river. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, this weekend adventure is the perfect getaway from the city. Photo via EZ Kayak / Facebook
Addison Oaks County Park1480 W Romeo Rd., Leonard; 248-693-2432; oakgov.comOpen year-round (and only closed on Christmas Day), this multi-purpose park provides archery, boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, disc golf, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, hiking trails. and more. Photo via Addison Oaks County Park / Facebook
Seven Lakes State Park14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly; 248-634-7271; michigan.gov/dnrLocated in Oakland County, this public recreation area is a combination of farmland, rolling hills, and forests, accompanied by a 230-acre body of water used for swimming, fishing, and boat rentals. Visitors can also have picnics or hit the hiking trail. Photo via Seven Lakes State Park / Facebook
Lake St. Clair Metropark31300 Metro Pkwy., Harrison Charter Twp.; 586-463-4581; metroparks.comLake St.Clair Metropark is a 770-acre unit located 20 miles northeast of downtown Detroit. Enjoy a 1,600-foot boardwalk, or a variety of activities such as boating, bird-watching, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and bicycling. > Photo courtesy of Huron-Clinton Metroparks
Independence Oaks County Park10089 Sashabaw Rd. Clarkston; 248-625-0877; oakgov.comBoat rentals are available at the Independence Oaks County Park, as well as paddleboat, canoe, and paddle board rentals, among others. As the largest Oakland County Park at 1,286 acres, it’s an ideal spot for a weekend escape or after-work-wind-down. Photo courtesy of Oakland County Parks and Recreation
Motor City Canoe Rental26425 Atwater St. Flat Rock, (313) 473-9847 MotorCityCanoeRental.comMotor City Canoe Rental is a fun-for-all-ages rental shop that sits right on the Huron River, supplying everyone with all of their kayaking and canoeing needs. Motor City Canoe Rental also has available tubes and a pick-up service for people finishing at the end of the river. Photo via Moto City Canoe Rental / Facebook

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