Kayak & Canoe Rentals at Rowing Dock

Experience Austin From the Water

Photo of a woman and three others behind her in rental kayaks from Rowing Dock

Austin is known for its great outdoors. Here you can hike past scenic waterfalls, bike forest trails and take a dip in a spring-fed swimming hole. But if you want to get out on the water, head to Rowing Dock, the city’s premier place for stand-up paddle board (SUP), kayak and canoe rentals. This women-owned hidden gem is located in the heart of downtown Austin, right on scenic Lady Bird Lake.

Individual rentals from a huge selection of colorful, high-quality kayaks, pedal kayaks, SUPs and canoes are offered daily on a first-come, first-serve basis (pro tip: arrive early on weekends to beat the crowds). Large groups of families and friends are welcome, too, with group reservations available for groups of 10+. With a laid-back setting, Rowing Dock's group reservations are also a great option for colleagues looking to socialize, collaborate or bond, as well as for larger company outings, offsites and everything in between.

And no matter your age or experience level, Rowing Dock’s team will make sure you feel comfortable and confident as you embark on your outdoor adventure. They’ll fit you with the best boat, paddle and lifejacket, and provide basic instruction for those who are new to paddling.

Photo of Rowing Dock kayakers and a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Above them, the bats fly out from the Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset

Guided Tours

Rowing Dock also offers four different guided kayak tours each week, all of which can be booked online. Whether you’d like to experience the flight of Austin’s famous Mexican free-tailed bats or see the city’s architecture and wildlife from the unique vantage point of Lady Bird Lake, there’s a tour for you! The 2- to 3.5-hour tours are led by entertaining and experienced local guides, with paddling distances ranging from 3 – 4 miles long.

Choose from the Journey to the Springs, where you’ll paddle along the crystal clear waters of Barton Creek, spying native wildlife on the way to Austin’s iconic Barton Springs. Or try the seasonal Sunset Guided Bat Tour (offered June – mid-September), which takes paddlers underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge for a front-row seat to the amazing sight of 1.5 million bats fluttering into the night sky. Or opt for the ‘Round Red Bud Isle Tour, which immerses paddlers in stunning scenery of limestone bluffs and greenery, with stops at Austin’s magical Secret Spring and Red Bud Isle itself.

Photo of three women sitting on Lady Bird Lake paddle board rentals from Rowing Dock. They are looking and smiling at the camera, which sits at water-level

For those visiting during the full moon, Rowing Dock offers a monthly self-guided Full Moon Paddle that provides visitors with the quintessential Austin experience. The Full Moon Paddle is one of Rowing Dock's only events where you can experience golden hour, dusk and paddle under the moonlight all in one go. Whether you’re into nighttime kayaking and stargazing with friends or want to paddle toward the city lights of downtown to see the skyline all aglow, this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about all that Rowing Dock offers.

Photos courtesy of Rowing Dock.