Local
Rentals
Geneva Kayak Center has recreational, light touring and sea kayaks available for rent. Rental costs include the use of a pfd, paddle and sprayskirt (for sea kayaks). Rentals may be transported to other paddling locations.
Rates
| Boat Type |
| 2 Hours |
| 4 Hours |
|
Full-Day |
|
2+ Days* |
|
| Plastic Single Kayak | | $30 |
| $40 |
|
$60 |
|
$45 |
|
| Plastic Double Kayak | | $40 |
|
$60 |
|
$80 | |
$60 |
|
| Fiberglass Single Kayak** |
|
$45 |
|
$60 | |
$80 | |
$70 |
|
| Fiberglass Double Kayak** |
|
$60 |
|
$80 | |
$100 | |
$90 |
| Whitewater Kayak | | $30 |
| $40 |
|
$60 |
|
$45 |
|
*2+ Day prices are listed as per day rates. ** Please contact Geneva Kayak Center to check availability.
Notes concerning Rentals
- Rentals that are transported away from GKC and GKC Lakefront must be made with a credit card. We keep your credit card information on file until the boat is returned in the same condition we rented it out to you in. Any significant damage caused to the boat during transportation or use will be charged to the credit card.
- Renters must have previous kayaking experience:
- Fox River Rentals: Have taken a Geneva Kayak Center “Intro to Kayak” course and/or have previous experience renting AND be able to demonstrate competency in paddling.
- Lake Michigan Rentals: Have a BCU 2 Star Award or an equivalent level of paddling skill for unguided rentals
- Rental costs do not include a shuttle. 2 to 4 hour rentals can be paddled on the section of river where the Geneva Kayak Center is located on the Fox River. (Fox River Section 2).
- Shuttles must be reserved, but are not always available.
- Low-head dams, found on most stretches of river in Illinois, are extremely hazardous, life-threatening obstacles and should be avoided at all costs. The re-circulating water at the bottom of dams does not release anything it holds! You cannot swim out of a low-head damn and death is the likely result. Please paddle far away from any dam or horizon line.
Where to Take Your Rental on the Fox River
FOX RIVER 1 – Elgin to St. Charles
Although this 7.5 mile stretch is open to motorized boat traffic, it is a delightful paddle past several attractive parks and picturesque countryside.
FOX RIVER 2 – Geneva to St. Charles (4 miles round trip or less)
This trip is a “there and back” trip starting at Geneva Kayak Center and paddling up to the Illinois Street bridge and back. Paddling alongside several parks is delightful as this stretch sees little motorized traffic.
FOX RIVER 3 – Geneva Dam to Batavia Dam
A truly picturesque trip alongside forest preserve and park land, it is fun to explore the islands found on this section. This section also sees little motorized traffic but tends to be very shallow during low water.
LOWER FOX 1 – Yorkville to Millbrook
Kayakers escape the bustle of the suburbs and head into the “wild” setting that is the Lower Fox river. This 7 mile stretch meanders through islands and Silver Springs State Park, with little development seen along the way.
LAKE MICHIGAN
Our kayaks are available for un-guided rentals by qualified paddlers on Lake Michigan. The term “qualified paddlers” will be defined by your stated destinations, the conditions you will be paddling in and your experience/qualifications. For paddlers with limited or no experience, we recommend our Sunset Kayak Tours (every Thursday – Sunday evening at 7pm) or our daily Lakefront Kayak Tours (every Tuesday – Friday at 9am),
