13038 Hwy 61 North
Burlington, Iowa
phone: 319-752-1857 or 1-800-RIVER-12
paddle@canoeskayaks.com
CANOE & KAYAK SOUTHEAST IOWA
Canoe & Kayak rentals with River Basin Canoe & Kayak
River Basin Canoe & Kayak provides river trips on area rivers for large and small groups. Our standard rentals are 17 foot aluminum canoes supplied with paddles and lifejackets. We also have a limited number of kayaks for rent. Rentals are by advance reservation. River Basin can provide shuttle service or you can arrange to pick up the boats.
RENTAL RATES for pick up from our store::
Canoes: $30/day including paddles and lifejackets for two people.
Capacity is three adults or two adults and two children. There are two fixed seats in a canoe. Extra passengers will sit on the floor (we suggest you bring a seat or pad).
Kayaks: $30/day small recreational or sit-on-top kayak for one.
$40/day for recreational kayak for two.
$40/day for one person touring kayak.
Note: a recreational kayak is a wide, stable craft that usually takes very little experience to feel comfortable paddling.
Shuttle service: Rates for local rivers are $40 - $58 round trip shuttle. This rate is per car or per trailer that we provide and depends on the size / efficiency of shuttle vehicle used. 10 boats can be transported on one trailer. Shuttle charge is a fuel cost charge, and due to volatile oil pricing, is prone to change with market fluctuations.
Photo of paddlers on the Iowa River.
The following information can help us plan the most enjoyable paddle for you:
How many are in your group?
What paddling experience does the group have? Rarely paddled and need basic instruction, experienced paddle, or somewhere in between.
What dates do you have in mind?
What would you like to include in your trip? Picnicking, camping, or cooking out
Commonly asked rental questions:
Are there rapids or whitewater? All of the southeast Iowa rivers are calm water with current that varies with the water level. We do not allow rentals to go out if the water level is too high or fast to be safe. There is no whitewater available in this part of the state.
How will we get back to our vehicle? Do we paddle up-river? Shuttle service is available for canoes or kayaks and the people who rent them. In most rental situations your vehicle will be parked at the take-out (end) of your paddle. You and your boat will be shuttled to the put-in (beginning) of the paddle. While you can paddle up stream it takes much longer and is not nearly as enjoyable as paddling with the current.
Is it safe? How deep is the water? With the exception of the Mississippi, most of the area rivers average 3 - 5 feet deep. As in any sporting activity, your behavior determines your safety. You will be supplied a lifejacket which we request you wear throughout your trip. You can swim in any of the rivers. To do this your canoe or kayak should be secured on shore before you enter the water. The waters and region we paddle are very peaceful and not challenged by power boaters as a rule.
How do we make a reservation? Reservations are on a first come first serve basis any day of the week. Call us at 1-800-RIVER-12 or e:mail us at paddle@canoeskayaks.com.
Water levels - Click on the links below for maps and information on local rivers.We primarily use the Iowa River for local trips due to the consistently good waterflow of the river. To check out the Iowa River streamflow for the past 30 days click here.
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Skunk River |
Iowa River |
Mississippi River |
Des Moines River |
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