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FAQ

What are your age limits?

Our minimum age to participate in kayaking at River Town Adventures is 3 years old.
Children are welcome, although they will have to ride in a tandem (2 person) kayak with someone older until they are 12 years old. Our single kayaks, while very stable, can be difficult for children under 12 to navigate themselves.
Any individual under 18 will need to have a parent or guardian available to sign their waiver form.
Any individual under 16 will need to have an adult 21 or older to accompany them on the river.

What is the weight limit?

Single kayaks have a weight limit of 300 lbs.
Tandem kayaks have a weight limit of 700 lbs
Canoes have a weight limit of 900 lbs

Can my pet come along?

River Town Adventures welcomes furry friends, as long as you are comfortable in their ability to swim. We do not have life vests or PFDs for animals, so please bring your own!

How many people can fit in one boat?

Our single kayaks can seat only one individual per boat. Tandem kayaks and canoes are perfect for 2 adults, 1 adult and 1 child, or 2 adults and 1 child under 40 lbs. We do not have any boats that can accommodate more than 2 adults at one time.

Are reservations required?

Not necessarily! We can generally accommodate walk-ups with ease, but we always recommend reservations, especially on the weekends. Reservations can give us the chance to guarantee that we have boats available and ready for your group when you arrive.

What do I need to make a reservation?

We need to know how many boats you'll need to reserve, which trip you're looking to go on, what day and time you'd like to go, and contact information.

What options do you have for trips?

We offer several different options for trips, on three different area rivers! Please visit our kayak & canoe rental page for more information about each of our different trips.

What times do the shuttles leave?

Our shuttles leave at the top of each hour. Last shuttles for the day are dependent on when dusk occurs and the length of the trip. Please call for an up to date time for our final shuttle departure time.

What if I am late?

Our shuttles depart at the top of the hour in order to ensure that our schedule stays organized. If you are going to be late, please let us know so that we can move your reservation to the next available time, so as not to make any other guests on the shuttle wait.

Do I need a deposit for a reservation?

Nope! No deposit necessary for any of our reservations.

Can you accommodate large groups?

We are happy to accommodate large groups! Please refer to our Group and Corporate outings page for more information.

How many boats do you have?

11 canoes, 11 tandem kayaks, 85 single kayaks, and growing!

Where should I park?

There is a city parking lot right across from our location. You may have to pay to park if there is an attendant at the booth. You can also utilize other available area lots or metered parking in the downtown and stadium district, all within walking distance!

What should I bring?

IIt's always a good idea to bring sunscreen and water, especially for longer trips. Wearing loose, lightweight clothing will help you stay comfortable on the river. We highly recommend leaving all valuables in your car or at home.

Can I bring a cooler?

You are able to bring a small cooler on any of our boats. We ask only that you do not bring styrofoam coolers.

Can I drink alcohol?

You can responsibly enjoy alcoholic beverages on the river, however you should keep in mind that it is against state law to be intoxicated while operating a boat. A great rule of thumb is to drink one serving of an alcoholic beverage per hour. Please do not bring glass containers.

Can I bring my phone?

While we do not recommend bringing along any valuables, there are some ways you can protect your phone when you're on the water. Using a waterproof case or waterproof bag can help prevent damage. Please remember that we are not responsible for any damage to your device.

Can I bring fishing gear?

You are more than welcome to bring your fishing gear along, as long as it can fit in your boat!

What should I wear on the river?

While you likely won't go swimming, you should wear clothes that you don't mind getting a little wet. Loose-fitting, lightweight clothing is recommended for maximum comfort on the water. Bathing suits are totally optional.

Do I need to wear a life vest/PFD?

All of our guests are required to take a life vest/PFD on the river with them, per Michigan State Law. We require all minors to wear their life vest/PFD for their safety, and highly recommend all guests wear their life vests/PFD.

What if I need to stop on my trip?

If you need to stop, please utilize public property only. Please do not stop at a private river access point unless it is an emergency.

Which rivers do you service?

Most of our trips are on the Grand River and Red Cedar River, with a few select options for the Looking Glass River.

How much notice is needed to cancel?

We ask for at least 24 hours notice to cancel, although we understand that life happens. If you need to cancel at any time prior to your reservation, please don't hesitate to give us a call.

What if I own my own canoe or kayak?

You are always welcome to bring your own kayak or canoe! The landing at Rotary Park is public and free of charge to use. If you would like to utilize our shuttle services, we are happy to have you come along on any of the trips we offer. Please refer to our Kayak and Canoe Rental page for pricing.

What happens in the case of bad weather?

We stay open (light) rain or shine! In cases of heavy rain, high winds, thunder or lightning, we do not put anyone on the water for your safety. If you have a reservation and we will be cancelling trips due to weather, we will call you to let you know. We reserve the right to close operations due to inclement weather, at any time.

Are snacks or drinks available for purchase?

On exceptionally hot days, we may have water available for purchase, but you should plan on stopping for snacks and drinks prior to arriving. Please keep in mind that the Lansing City Market no longer has vendors that sell those items.

What should we do in an emergency?

In case of an emergency, please focus on your own safety before helping others. If you have flipped, make sure you are safe before attempting to retrieve the boat, and only do so if it is reasonably safe. In case of a storm, please make every effort to find a bridge or get off the river and one of our shuttle drivers will come to your aid.

What wildlife will I see?

There is an abundance of wildlife to see on these rivers! You can see deer, turtles, fish, ducks, geese, blue herons, frogs, even one of our resident nesting bald eagles! Please do not disturb these animals in their habitats. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.

Do you offer tubing?

Unfortunately, our area rivers are not great for tubing due to dams and log jams - we do not offer tubing services at River Town Adventures.

Is the water clean and safe?

Water quality is one of our biggest concerns. The Grand River and Red Cedar Rivers have undergone extensive care in recent years and the water quality has greatly improved. The bottom of the river has a lot of silt and sediment, which is why it sometimes looks brown. However, after heavy rainfall, runoff from land can alter the quality for the next few days. Ingham County Health Department runs weekly tests for water quality in the area rivers and the results are available for the public to view on their website.

Do you have instructional classes?

At this time, we do not offer designated instructional classes, although some of our partners may. We can always teach you the basics of paddling when you arrive and help you become more comfortable with our boats if you're a first-timer.