One of the best summer activities is getting out on the water! There is nothing more relaxing than paddling around a lake or river while enjoying the sun and warm weather.
Thankfully, there are several places near Philadelphia where you can rent a kayak or boat for an hour or more, like Tyler State Park in Bucks County and Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. And some of them are even FREE!
The best part about these places is you don’t need experience. They have everything you need, including the boat, paddles, and life jackets. All you have to do is show up!
Of course, if you’re like us, you can also bring your own boat. However, sometimes, you’ll need special launch permits for that. All of that information is included below.
So, if you’re looking for a fun summer activity, the guide below has all of the locations where you can rent a kayak or boat in and near Philadelphia. Let’s get to paddling!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
What Do You Need For Renting Boats Near Philadelphia?
Before you head out on the water, make sure you are prepared! There are some things you’ll want to bring with you before you rent a boat near Philadelphia.
- Hat: The best option is a sun hat with a strap, so you won’t lose it if the wind blows. But even a baseball cap-style hat is good for keeping the sun off your face and out of your eyes.
- Sunscreen: Water-resistant sunscreen with a high SPF is ideal for kayaking or boating. Don’t forget to apply it to your thighs! Shorts tend to ride up higher when you’re sitting down on a kayak or canoe.
- Life Jacket: All of the below boat rentals near Philadelphia provide life jackets as part of your rental. However, if you’re renting a boat with kids, you might want to bring your own. We like the vests that strap in between the legs, so there is no chance of your child slipping out! If you bring your own, make sure it is US Coast Guard approved.
- Waterproof Phone Pouch: You don’t want to risk losing your phone if you tip your boat! We love these waterproof phone pouches because they hang around your neck and are transparent, making it easy to take photos on the water.
- Gloves: Gloves aren’t necessary, but they are nice to wear when kayaking. They’ll help protect your skin from blisters caused by the paddle.
- Footwear: You want shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet. We personally use the tried and true Teva Universal Sandal or even Crocs. But whatever you own is good!
BYOB: Bring Your Own Boat
Many of the places below also let you launch your own boat. However, you might need a launch permit.
If you don’t already own a boat, you’ll want to research if a stand-up paddleboard or kayak is right for you.
After deciding what kind of boat to buy, you might consider purchasing an inflatable one. They are easy to store and transport and don’t take too long to set up.
We have owned the Intex Challenger inflatable kayak for three years and have had a good experience. They sell single and tandem versions. Another option Intex offers is the Explorer, a 2-person canoe-style boat.
There are also some great options for inflatable stand-up paddleboards. They can cost a fraction of a regular paddleboard and are much easier to transport. If you prefer a regular paddleboard, there are plenty of options for beginners.
Where to Go Row Boating and Kayaking in Philadelphia
1. Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia
- Location: 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Hours: Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, mid-May through mid-October
- Boat Types:
- Kayaks (single/tandem) or 3-person row boat)
- Cost: FREE for 30 minutes (kayak or row boat)
Bartram’s Garden is one of the best places to go row boating and kayaking in Philadelphia.
Bartram’s Garden offers FREE kayak and row boat rentals every Saturday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, mid-May through mid-October. Each rental is for 30 minutes. There are no reservations, and boat wait times might be more than a half hour.
You can also launch your personal, non-motorized boat at Bartram’s Garden. The dock is not accessible to vehicles, so you must be able to carry your boat.
2. Paddle Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia
- Location: 211 S. Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia
- Hours: Friday 3:00 – Dusk, Saturday & Sunday 12:00 PM – Dusk, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
- Boat Types: 2-4 person paddle boats or 3-4 person rowboats
- Cost: $25-$48 per boat for 30 minutes
Paddle Penn’s Landing is a fun way to enjoy the riverfront in Philadelphia, especially with kids.
Run by the Independence Seaport Museum, the paddle area is right in front of the Spruce Street Harbor Park, allowing you to people-watch while on the water.
As one of the few places offering boat rentals in Philadelphia, they only have 2-4 person paddle boats (in the shape of swans and ducks) or 3-4 person row boats throughout the day.
They also offer scheduled kayak tours if you’re interested in kayaking.
3. Open Boating Days & Kayak Excursions at Glen Foerd Mansion
- Location: 5001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia
- Hours: Varies – visit their events page for dates and times
- Boat Types: kayaks, canoes, and rowboats
- Cost: FREE (refundable deposit with registration required)
The Glen Foerd Mansion in Northeast Philadelphia offers several boating and kayaking opportunities throughout the summer.
Their open boating days are first-come, first-served. Guests can explore the Poquessing Creek and Delaware River in canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. These FREE events are open to all ages, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Another fun boating activity offered by Glen Foerd is the Public Kayak Excursion. Guests ages 10 and up (minors require adult supervision) will take tandem kayaks out onto the Delaware River for a guided tour. Glen Ford requires pre-registration and a $5 deposit, which is refunded if you attend the event.
4. Free Boating Days at FDR Park
- Location: FDR Park, Philadelphia
- Hours: Varies – visit their events page for dates and times
- Boat Types: kayaks, canoes, and rowboats
- Cost: FREE
FDR Park, known as “the lakes” to locals, has partnered up with Discovery Pathways to offer FREE boating on select Saturdays throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
They offer rowboats, kayaks, and canoes, as well as instructions and everything you need to get out on the water safely. Kids are invited to paddle but must be accompanied by an adult.
The FREE boating days for 2024 are April 6 and 13, May 4 and 11, June 8 and 29, July 6, 13, and 27, August 3, 10, and 17, September 7 and 14, and October 5 and 12. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
Kayak and Row Boat Rentals Near Philadelphia
5. French Creek State Park, Elverson
- Location: 865 Park Rd, Elverson
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 7:00 PM on weekends), June-August; Weekends only 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM in May and September
- Boat Types: Motorized rowboats, non-powered rowboats, kayaks (single/tandem), stand-up paddleboards, canoes, and sunfish
- Cost: Starts at $35 for 1 hour
French Creek State Park is a one-stop shop for outdoor activities. It’s one of the best state parks near Philadelphia, thanks to its beautiful hiking trails, campground, and pool.
Of course, this article is all about boat rentals near Philadelphia, and French Creek State Park has plenty of options to choose from. You can rent a motorized or non-powered rowboat, kayaks, canoes, or even a sunfish sailboat.
Boat rentals are open daily in the summer months and weekends only in May and September.
Be prepared for your rental; they hold your license and car keys as collateral while you’re out on the water. (Let’s be honest – they just don’t want you to lose your keys while you’re on the boat!)
You can also launch your boat at French Creek State Park. Just make sure you have a launch permit. They can be purchased online or at the park office.
6. Marsh Creek Lake, Downingtown
- Location: 675 Park Road, Downingtown
- Hours: Daily, June-August, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM (weekends open at 8:00 AM), and 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (weekends 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM), May and September
- Boat Types: Motorized rowboats, kayaks (single/tandem), stand-up paddleboard, and 2-4 person sailboats
- Cost: Starts at $25 for 30 minutes
Marsh Creek Lake has several fun boat rental options near Philadelphia. It is one of the few places that offers sailboats (2-4 person) and windsurfing.
In addition to boat rentals, they also offer nighttime kayak tours and pontoon boat lake tours. And if you’re feeling flexible, stand-up paddleboard yoga!
Marsh Creek Lake boat rental is open daily from April 27th through September for various hours. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
7. Phoenixville SUP, Phoenixville
- Location: 258 Walnut Street, Mont Clare
- Hours: Monday – Wednesday, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM; Thursday – Sunday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Boat Types: Kayak and standup paddleboard
- Cost: Starts at $25 for 1 hour
Phoenixville SUP offers stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals along the Schuylkill River (or canal). One of the fun perks of renting from them is they are dog-friendly. However, you and your pup cannot exceed 250 lbs together.
They are open daily and strongly recommend reservations, as they occasionally sell out.
8. Port Providence Paddle, Port Providence
- Location: 264 Canal Street, Port Providence, PA
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Boat Types: Canoe and kayak (single/tandem)
- Cost: $44-$55 per day
Port Providence Paddle offers a different experience than other boat rentals near Philadelphia. They offer three guided paddle trips along the Schuylkill that range from two to six hours long.
The shortest of the three trips is about 2.5 hours long and is a loop, where you return to the starting point. The other two trips are much longer and include a shuttle back to the beginning. Call ahead to schedule your trip.
9. Green Lane Park, Green Lane
- Location: 2821 Hill Road, Green Lane
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (opens at 8:00 AM on weekends), Memorial Day through Labor Day and weekends,10:00 AM – 6:00 PM in May and September
- Boat Types: Motorized row boat, kayak (single/tandem), and stand-up paddleboard
- Cost: Starts at $30 for 60 minutes
Green Lane Park is a large park located in northern Montgomery County. The Green Lane Reservoir provides the perfect space for boating and kayaking.
They have several boat options for rent, including motorized row boats, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. Rentals are first come, first served, for 1-4 hours. You must provide a driver’s license to rent a boat.
If you want to launch your own kayak or paddleboard, you must use the Deep Creek Lake boat launch. There is no permit required for launching at Deep Creek Lake.
10. Nockamixon State Park, Quakertown
- Location: 1542 Mountain View Drive, Quakertown
- Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last boat leaves at 5:00 PM) Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
- Boat Types: Motorized row boat, 3-person row boat, kayak (single/tandem), paddle boat, and stand-up paddleboard
- Cost: Starts at $20 for 30 minutes
Nockamixon State Park offers many different boats for rent. From stand-up paddleboards to motorized boats, they’ve got it all!
You can rent these boats for 30 minutes up to 4 hours. Prices start at $20 but vary depending on the type of boat. Keep in mind they only accept cash at the Nockamixon boat rental. Rentals typically open Memorial Day Weekend and are open daily from 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (the last boat leaves at 5:00 PM).
You can also launch your personal boat at Nockamixon State Park, but you need a launch permit. You can buy this at any Pennsylvania State Park office or online.
11. Peace Valley Park, New Britain Township
- Location: 264 Creek Road, New Britain Township
- Hours: Vary depending on staffing, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last rental at 4:30 PM), mid-May through September
- Boat Types: Rowboat, kayak (single/tandem), paddle boat, and canoe
- Cost: Starts at $15 for 30 minutes
Lake Galena at Peace Valley Park is a pretty place to go boating. It’s also one of the most affordable boat rentals near Philadelphia.
The rental hours vary depending on staffing. Bucks County Parks will post updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages, so check those out before you leave. Their goal is to be open every day, though hours may vary.
However, if you own a boat, you can use the boat launch at Peace Valley Park. You just need a permit to do so. They can be purchased online or at the boat rental and cost $15-$30, depending on your residency.
12. Tyler State Park, Newtown
- Location: 101 Swamp Road, Newtown (click here for map location of boat rental)
- Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last rental goes out at 5:00 PM)
- Boat Types: Kayak (single/tandem), stand-up paddleboard, and canoe
- Cost: Starts at $20 for 1 hour
One of our favorite places to go boating near Philadelphia is Tyler State Park along the Neshaminy Creek. You can paddle the creek upstream to the Schofield Ford covered bridge or stay closer to the boathouse.
Rentals are available daily during the summer months and include kayaks, paddleboards, and canoes that can hold two adults and one child.
They have an area for you to launch your boat. However, for any PA State Park, you need a launch permit. They can typically be purchased online or at the state park office.
13. Core Creek County Park, Langhorne
- Location: Park Road, Langhorne (click here for map location)
- Hours: Varies depending on staffing, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last rental at 4:30 PM), mid-May through September
- Boat Types: Rowboat, kayak (single/tandem), paddle boat, and canoe
- Cost: Starts at $15 for 30 minutes
Another beautiful boat rental in Bucks County is at Core Creek Park. Lake Luxembourg offers pretty views as you paddle around.
Like Peace Valley Park, rental hours vary depending on staffing. Bucks County Parks will post updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages, so check those out before you leave. Their goal is to be open every day, though hours may vary.
However, if you have a boat launch permit for Bucks County Parks, you can launch your personal boat anytime! We love going out in the fall when the trees are changing colors.
Wrapping Up Boat Rentals Near Philadelphia
There are so many fun ways to get out and enjoy nature in and around Philadelphia!
We love that there are so many fun places to rent boats near Philadelphia, whether you want to paddle on the Delaware or Schuykill Rivers or around one of the many lakes in the area.
There are also several hiking trails that you can enjoy with your family, as well as beautiful gardens in the area if you’re looking for more ways to enjoy a beautiful day!
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