Spring has sprung and summer is right around the corner!! This means right now is the perfect time to plan your summer bucket list. One thing I make a point to do a few times each summer is kayak. Last year I decided to buy myself my own, but if you aren’t an avid kayaker, you don’t have to because western PA is crawling with kayak rentals for a fun weekday or weekend activity!
1. Kayak Pittsburgh
Kayak Pittsburgh is one of the more well-known kayaking rentals in Pittsburgh. They have two locations, North Park and North Shore. North Shore’s location is currently closed without an opening date listed yet, however North Park begins bookings next weekend on May 21st for the start of their season on May 29th. You can rent solo or tandem kayaks, pedalboats, canoes, or stand up paddleboards (SUP). The prices go up by a little bit on the weekends, but are fairly comparable to the weekday prices. They have group pricing for groups of 10 or more. Click here for North Park pricing details.
2. Raccoon Creek Boat Rental
Raccoon Creek Boat Rental (a.k.a Beighey’s Boat Rental), is located a half hour west of Pittsburgh near the Ohio border in Raccoon Creek State Park. You can rent single and double hydro bikes, single and tandem kayaks, motorized and non-motorized row boats, canoes, and SUPs. Life jackets are provided, but you are welcome to bring your own if it is Coast Guard certified. Pups are also welcome to join the fun on the kayaks, rowboats and canoes! They are currently open weekends only, but starting May 21st, they will be open weekdays as well. Click here for hours and pricing info, and remember they are CASH ONLY. There is an ATM on site for your convenience.
3. Saltsburg Kayak & Canoe Outfitters
Saltsburg Kayak is located 45 minutes east of Pittsburgh right in Saltsburg at the junction of Loyalhanna Creek and the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas Rivers. Their season runs from MDW to LDW so get ready, because they are opening soon. They recommend reservations in order to ensure availability. Check out the hours and fill out the reservation form here. There are two different float routes to choose from including special trips on certain days. Be sure to check out their Facebook for up-to-date details on special trips. Feel free to bring your own kayak here as they have shuttles that can pick you up at your parking spot and transport you and your boat to the launch zone for a small fee. This way you can float on down and your car will be waiting at the end of your river ride! If you don’t have your own boat, they have single and tandem kayaks for rent, as well as three-person canoes. The prices on these go up on the weekends and holidays compared to the weekdays. They provide life jackets, boats and paddles for your journey! If you are bringing a group of 8+, be sure to call ahead as they require a deposit.
4. Crescent Bay Boat Rental
Crescent Bay Boat Rental is the rental shop at Moraine State Park in Portersville, PA. This spot is 30 minutes north of Pittsburgh right up I-79. Crescent Bay will be opening for the season on May 29th from 8a-8p on weekdays and weekends. They offer rentals on pontoon boats, tillers, canoes, single and tandem kayaks and SUPs. To make a pontoon reservation on a weekend or holiday, give them a call at (724) 368-9955. A full list of their pricing is available here.
5. Ohiopyle
Ohiopyle is definitely a destination for any adventurous outdoor lover. Ohiopyle has many opportunities to get out on the water. If you are a beginner, check out their lessons. They have mini sessions that go for 2 hours at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. They also have full day kayaking lessons available during the weekdays, just make sure to book a week in advance! For the full-day lessons, you will spend your day on the water from 9a-4p learning all there is to know about whitewater kayaking. You’ll have your lunch on the water and put all of the skills you learned in the morning half to use in the afternoon when you travel down the Lower Yough. If you’re looking to get a group on the water for one of their whitewater rafting tours you get to choose from the three levels of experience. Book your whitewater rafting trip by filling out their website form linked here. If it’s just you and a couple others, they have duckies, rafts and shredders available. Duckies are the smaller kayak-style inflatables. The rafts are for the groups and the shredders are two-person pontoon style rafts that sit above the water. These are great to be able to see the obstacles that lie ahead. Check out their pricing here.
6. 10.7 Marina
10.7 Marina is a marina located in Verona, a neighborhood near Oakmont, just minutes from downtown. They offer weekend rentals for single and tandem kayaks, canoes and SUPs. Group rates will be available soon. If you think you’re going to be hitting up 10.7 quite a bit this season, consider purchasing one of their membership passes. They have a 10x rental, a 20x rental, a 24/7 kayak and a 24/7 SUP membership. The 10x and 20x rental passes are good for 10 and 20 weekend rentals respectively, with a single kayak or paddleboard. The 24/7 memberships include daily access to a kayak or paddleboat, paddle, life vest, and access key. This is perfect for an avid kayaker! If you’re a kayak, canoe or SUP owner, you can check out their storage packages for annual or seasonal passes. I also recommend checking out their launch membership if you are an owner. For only $30, you get 24/7 access to their launch for the season running May 15th til late fall. Something unique about 10.7 Marina is you also are able to reserve fire pits, cabanas, and their terrace or deck for small or large gathers anywhere from 10 to 80 people. Grab a bite from the food trucks and brewery on site for the perfect ending to a day of kayaking.
7. The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak
The River’s Edge Canoe & Kayak rental is located in Leechburg, about 40 minutes east of Pittsburgh. River’s Edge offers a couple different river routes for your trip. There are two routes that take 4+ hours and then a short and sweet route that takes only about 2 hours. They provide the life vests and paddles with each rental and your pups are welcome to join in on the fun! Reservations are currently required and you will also have to prepay for your day. You can reserve by calling 724-845-9501. Pricing goes by the day instead of hour since most of the routes take several hours to complete. The pricing for single and tandem kayaks and canoes goes up by $2 on the weekend, but tubing is always $25 with an optional $15 add-on tube for a cooler. *Note that tubing is only available on the 2 hour route. If you are getting a squad together, they offer $2 off per boat if you have 10 or more people. On Thursdays, you get $5 off per boat if you have a ladies only group. If you are a boat owner and don’t need to rent but want a shuttle, they have three available to take you to the launch at the beginning of each route. If you can do without the shuttle, still make sure you fill out the waiver before using the property.
Hopefully you can get out there and be adventurous this summer at one of these kayak rental spots in western PA. Whether you just want to get out there for an hour or if you want to make a full day of it, there is a place for everyone!
The 412 Franimal 