The 18 most beautiful places to rent a boat in the Detroit area

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Jul 6, 2019 at 12:23 pm

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).

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

Game On Paddleboarding

2433 W. Predmore Rd. Oakland Charter Township; 248-690-6241; gameonpaddleboarding.com
Game 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

1 of 18

Clinton River Canoe and Kayak

37328 Utica Rd., Sterling Heights; 248-421-3445; clintonriverkayak.com
Clinton 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

2 of 18

Black River Kayak Company

43 N Howard Ave - Croswell, MI 48422? (810) 304-2951 BlackRiverKayaks.com
This 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

3 of 18

Riverside Kayak Connection

4016 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte; 734-285-2925; riversidekayak.com
If 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

4 of 18

Kensington MetroParks

4570 Huron River Pkwy., Milford; 810-227-8910; metroparks.com
There are both swan- and rubber ducky-shaped pedal boats available for rent here. ‘Nuff said.

Photo by Barbara Kalbfleisch / Shutterstock.com

5 of 18

Detroit River Sports

Algonquin Park Dr., Detroit; 313-908-0484; detroitriversports.com
Detroit 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

6 of 18

Skip’s Huron River Canoe Livery

3902 E. Delhi Rd., Ann Arbor; 734-769-8686; paddlethehuron.com
More 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

7 of 18

That’s WasSUP

141 E. Walled Lake Dr., Walled Lake; 248-345-3223; thatswassupdetroit.com
Whether 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

8 of 18

Simple Adventures

31300 Metropolitan Pkwy., Harrison Twp.; 844-935-2925; simpleadventures.net
Simple 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

9 of 18

Great Lakes Surf Shop

23517 Nine Mack Dr., St. Clair Shores; 586-359-6951; greatlakessurf.com
In 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

10 of 18

Detroit Outpost

11000 Freud St., Detroit; 313-422-3618; detroitoutpost.com
The 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

11 of 18

Stony Creek Metropark

4300 Main Park Rd., Shelby Township; 586-781-4242; metroparks.com
The 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

12 of 18

EZ Kayak River

208 N. Bridge St. Linden; 810-241-1195; ezkayakrental.com
Located 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

13 of 18

Addison Oaks County Park

1480 W Romeo Rd., Leonard; 248-693-2432; oakgov.com
Open 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

14 of 18

Seven Lakes State Park

14390 Fish Lake Road, Holly; 248-634-7271; michigan.gov/dnr
Located 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

15 of 18

Lake St. Clair Metropark

31300 Metro Pkwy., Harrison Charter Twp.; 586-463-4581; metroparks.com
Lake 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

16 of 18

Independence Oaks County Park

10089 Sashabaw Rd. Clarkston; 248-625-0877; oakgov.com
Boat 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

17 of 18

Motor City Canoe Rental

26425 Atwater St. Flat Rock, (313) 473-9847 MotorCityCanoeRental.com
Motor 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

18 of 18