Paddle Boats on the River

In the middle of the river, you can get a different view of your favorite park. The ducks come up to your paddle boat looking for treats and dragonflies land on your head. At our park, you are limited to how far you can go in the paddle boats. You can't get too close to the dam and you can't go past the bridge but it doesn't matter because it takes a lot of strength to move that boat. About an hour is most people's limit.

Riding the paddle boats is a super fun family thing to do. The kids love the different shapes of the boats and the adults love being out on the river. It's something different to do and it's super fun!

Image credit: JenwithFlash

This is a basic paddle boat. It holds up to 5 people - 2 pedaling, 1 in the middle, and 2 in back. Families like to use this one. It has a shade over the top to protect from the sun and there's plenty of room for everyone. The kids in back can even hang their feet in the water. This is one of the most basic ones available for rent.

Image credit: JenwithFlash

One of the most popular paddle boats is the pink flamingo. Her name is Flo. People love this one! It's so neat to be driving down the road and see this one out on the river. The pink definitely draws attention! This colorful paddle boat holds 2 adults and one child.

Image credit: JenwithFlash

Kids under 16 should always wear a life jacket to be safe. In fact, it's required if you're renting one of these paddle boats. Our river is very shallow but some paddle boats go out into the deeper water where life jackets are much more important.

If you have 4 adults and/or teens, these are the paddle boats that you want to use. All 4 people can do the paddling instead of only 2. Since it's such a large boat, it's still pretty slow even with everyone paddling. Some of them have canopies over the top to protect you from the sun and some are just open. I like using the open one when I'm out on the river.

Image credit: JenwithFlash

Float lazily along the river in this beautiful swan paddle boat. It's graceful yet sturdy. You'll feel safe and secure in this one! Clyde holds 2 adults and one child.

There's a little story behind Clyde the white swan. One night, vandals let him loose out on the river. He drifted over by the dam and started to fall over the edge. The fire department had to help save him before he fell over the edge!

Image credit: JenwithFlash

This one is by far the most popular of all of them. It's Dexter the Dragon. He will take you down the river in style! The dragon paddle boat can safely carry three people. If you are taking 2 small kids, they might be able to fit if they're small enough.

If you want to rent this one, you might have to wait for it. It's the one that most people will request when they get there!

Image credit: JenwithFlash

Rental shops are popping up all along the rivers. They rent out paddle boats, kayaks, canoes, and other recreational boats. The prices are usually reasonable and kids, teens, and adults all enjoy the different experience of being out on a river, lake, or pond. Our rental shop also has bikes of all sizes to rent. Sometimes when we're done on the paddle boats, we take a little bike ride on the river walk.

If you go and rent paddle boats a lot, you might be better off buying one. If you own it, you can spend all afternoon lounging out on the river and you don't have to worry about those hourly fees.

If you don't have the strength to pedal your way down the river, why not try a rowboat? This one takes arm power to move. The row boat can hold two people. Not many people take this one out so if it's rowing that you enjoy, you shouldn't have a problem getting this one. It's not in high demand.

The canoes are another fun option. Since most people use the paddle boats for the novelty of it, you can usually rent a canoe with not much trouble.

Have you been on one lately?