Spring is here and the water is calling. There’s nothing better than to be out on a boat in the spring and summer, whether the boat is a kayak, a pontoon, a pedal boat or something in between.
But what if you don’t own a boat?
There are still several opportunities for enjoying a float or a paddle on a river or a lake. Read on for some places where you can rent a boat or sign up for a guided tour on the water. The price varies and so does the exertion level required for the experience. Whether you want to relax, work out, or party, there’s a way to enjoy the water this summer.
Read on for a list of what boat rentals are available on the lakes and rivers throughout the Triangle.
Boat Rental in Durham and Durham County
Lake Michie
2802 Bahama Road, Bahama, NC 27503
Boat rental info: Lake Michie offers a 6-hour boat rental for kayaks and canoes at $11 for non-city residents without a Play More Card. (Prices are less for city residents and Play More Card owners)
Additional info: Lake Mitchie is 480 acres and the water level is 341 feet. There is no swimming at Lake Mitchie and no boats can be rented after 4:30 PM.
Little River Lake
1500 Orange Factory Road, Durham, NC 27712
Boat rental info: Little River Lake also offers a 6-hour boat rental for kayaks and canoes at $11 for non-city residents without a Play More Card. (Prices are less for city residents and Play More Card owners)
Additional info: Little River Lake is 549 acres and has a water level of 355 feet. This lake is a great place for fishing. Fishing licenses are required.
Falls Lake State Recreation Area
3940 Falls Lake Road, Durham, NC 27703
Boat rental info: Rollingview Marina offers rental of single kayaks, tandem/triple kayaks, fishing kayaks, tandem fishing kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. Prices start at $40 for 2 two hours (for single kayaks, canoes.) Prices vary for other kinds of boats.
Additional info: Rollingview Marina is the only marina at Falls Lake State Recreation Area, although there are kayak launching areas elsewhere on the lake. Falls Lake is 2,410 acres. The recreation area also offers fishing, picnicking, and hiking. Three areas at Falls Lake State Recreation Area — Sandling Beach, Rolling View and Beaverdam, provide swim beaches.
Boat rental in Raleigh and Wake County
William Umstead Park
8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617
Boat rental info: This park offers rentals on rowboats and canoes at a rate of $10 per boat. Boats can be rented from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and all boats must be returned by 4:15 p.m.
Additional info: William Umstead Park has three manmade lakes that provide fishing opportunities. The park also offers camping areas with group camps and cabins.
Lake Wheeler Park
6404 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh, NC 27603
Boat rental info: This park provides pedal boats for $6 per 30 minutes, kayaks for $5 an hour, and non-motorized fishing boats for $4 an hour. Boats are available for rent Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additional info: The lake has an area of 650 acres, and the park as a whole has an area of 800 acres. There are many additional things to rent at this park including a volleyball court for $20 an hour for a 2-hour minimum.
Lake Johnson Park
4601 Avent Ferry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Boat rental info: This park provides pedal boats for $6 per 30 minutes, kayaks for $5 an hour, canoes for $5 an hour, stand-up paddleboards for $10 an hour, and non-motorized fishing boats for $4 an hour.
Additional info: Lake Johnson has 150 acres of water and about 300 acres of land. This park has a 700-foot boardwalk and is great for picnics. There’s a three-mile path that goes around the lake.
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Ave, Raleigh, NC 27606
Boat rental info: This park offers pedal boats at 4 tickets for 30 minutes, which is $6 per 30 minutes.
Additional info: There are also many other attractions at this park including a carousel, a playground, a cafe, a mini train, and big lawns. Pullen Park is 66.4 acres.
Fred Bond Metro Park
801 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27513
Boat rental info: This park offers rentals on canoes for $8 an hour, kayaks for $8 an hour, sunfish sailboats for $12 an hour with a 2-hour minimum, rowboats for $8 an hour, and pedal boats for $8 per 30 minutes.
Additional info: One of the highlights of this park is the challenge course. This includes a multitude of outdoor activities including a treetop ropes course. Concerts and other performances are held at the Sertoma Amphitheatre here.
Lake Crabtree County Park
1400 Aviation Pkwy, Morrisville, NC 27560
Boat rental info: This lake provides canoe, kayak, rowboat, pedal boat, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. It’s FREE to rent a boat. Just bring a valid ID.
Additional info: There are many additional things to do at Lake Crabtree County Park including walking and hiking trails, playgrounds, gardens, and a picnic area. There is also a bike skills area, biking, and mountain biking.
Bass Lake Park
900 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Boat rental info: This park offers rentals on canoes for $5 an hour, rowboats for $5 an hour, and a Gheenoe boat with a trolling motor for $10 an hour.
Additional info: To rent a boat you must be 16 years or older and boats can be rented 7 days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bass Lake is 50 acres.
Crosswinds Boating Center
565 Farrington Rd, Apex, NC 27523
Boat rental info: If you’d like to boat on Jordan Lake, the nearby, privately-owned Crosswinds Boating Center offers rentals on single kayaks, tandem kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards all for $25 for 2 hours. They also offer rentals on pontoon boats. However, different pontoon boats have different prices. The price range to rent a pontoon boat for 2 hours on weekdays (MON-THUR) is $115-$130, the price range for 4 hours on weekdays is $160-$225. The price for 6 hours on weekdays is $200, the price range for 8 hours on weekdays is $215-$300. The price range for 4 hours on weekends or holidays is $215-$280, the price for 6 hours on weekends or holidays is $225, and the price range for 8 hours on weekends or holidays is $270-$375. The prices for these do not include tax or cost of fuel.
Additional info: Jordan Lake also also features camping, swim beaches, and fishing spots. Learn more about Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.
Boat Rental in Chapel Hill and Orange County
University Lake, Chapel Hill
130 University Lake Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Boat rental info: This park offers rentals on canoes at $4.50 for county residents or OWASA customers, and $8 for others. Kayaks at $15 for county residents or OWASA customers and $20 for others. On top of this cost, renters must also pay the lake usage fee which is $4.50 per person for county residents or OWASA customers ages 13-64, and $5.50 per person for others ages 13-64. The lake usage fee is $2 person for county residents or OWASA customers under 13 and $2.50 per person for others under 13. There is no lake usage fee for county residents or OWASA customers over 65, and is $2.50 per person for others over 65.
Additional info: This park offers seasonal boating rental passes and group seasonal boating passes.
Cane Creek Reservoir
400 Jones Ferry Road Carrboro, NC 27510
Boat rental info: This park offers rentals on canoes at $4.50 for county residents or OWASA customers, and $8 for others. Kayaks at $15 for county residents or OWASA customers and $20 for others. On top of this cost, renters must also pay the lake usage fee which is $4.50 per person for county residents or OWASA customers ages 13-64, and $5.50 per person for others ages 13-64. The lake usage fee is $2 person for county residents or OWASA customers under 13 and $2.50 per person for others under 13. There is no lake usage fee for county residents or OWASA customers over 65, and is $2.50 per person for others over 65.
Additional info: This park also offers seasonal boating rental passes and group seasonal boating passes. The Cane Creek Reservoir is 540 acres.
Boat Rental in other parts of the Triangle
Haw River Canoe
6096 Jordan Drive, Graham, NC 27253
Boat rental info: Haw River Canoe offers self-guided tours up Saxapahaw lake. On the 3-hour Saxapahaw Lake and Upriver Trip they offer rentals on single kayaks for $35, stand-up paddle boards for $35, tandem kayaks for $55, and canoes for $55. On the 4-hour Saxapahaw Lake and Upriver Trip they offer rentals on single kayaks for $45, stand-up paddle boards for $45, tandem kayaks for $65, and canoes for $65. On the 5-hour Saxapahaw Lake and Upriver Trip they offer rentals on single kayaks for $55, stand-up paddle boards for $55, tandem kayaks for $75, and canoes for $75.
Additional info: Haw River Canoe also offers camping, river clean-up, guided tours, and instructional courses.
Boat Sharing
Boatsetter is a boat-sharing program (think airbnb, but for boats.) Learn more here. Another boat sharing platform is GetMyBoat.
