Paddler Park is a calm, scenic launch on the St. Joseph River, just upstream from Lake Michigan and minutes from downtown St. Joseph. With slower-moving water and wide views, it’s a great starting point for kayaking and paddleboarding at all levels — passing marinas, spotting birds, and enjoying a route that’s both relaxing and active.
Weather may affect hours. Click “Book Now” for real-time calendar.
Designed for all experience levels, these trips offer calm water, straightforward routes, and plenty of time to relax and take in the scenery.
Your safety is our top priority. We adhere to strict safety standards so you can focus on your paddling adventure with confidence.
Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available mid-May through mid-October for river locations and late May through Labor Day for beach locations. Please check availability as hours are subject to change due to weather.
The St. Joseph River is one of Southwest Michigan’s top spots for kayaking and paddleboarding — a waterway rich with history, once traveled by Native people and later by Great Lakes traders. Just upstream from Lake Michigan and minutes from downtown St. Joseph, Paddler Park offers a calm, scenic launch that makes it easy to explore this stretch of the river.
From a kayak or paddleboard, you’ll pass the Margaret B. Upton Arboretum, St. Joseph’s historic railroad swing bridge, and active marinas before reaching quieter stretches where you can slow down and take it all in. Along the way, you might spot herons along the shoreline, turtles sunning on logs, or even an eagle overhead near Lake Michigan, with reeds, wildflowers, and tree-lined banks adding to the scenery along the way. It’s a simple, natural side of the river that makes every paddle feel a little different.
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Paddler Park kayaking and paddleboard rentals are located at 213 Upton Dr, St Joseph, directly north across the St. Joseph River (and a three-minute drive) from downtown St. Joseph.
Free parking is available in the lot.
No, you simply paddle back to where you started when you’re done. It is easy, as there is very little current on the Paw Paw River, Galien River, and Wade’s Bayou. It is also convenient since you don’t have to wait for a shuttle – just paddle upstream or downstream and return back to the rental site when finished.
Yes, you really can paddle both upstream and downstream at our river rental locations. Our launches are situated near where the rivers meet Lake Michigan — which results in much less current than if you were to paddle at points farther up the river. You can paddle out and return right back to where you started. No need for a shuttle or getting dropped off, which we do not offer.
At all of our rental sites, you can paddle as long as you like and just turn around when you’re ready to return to the launch site. (No need for a shuttle, which we do not offer.) Our most popular reservation length is two hours.
If you need to reschedule your reservation, use the link in your booking confirmation email to choose a new day and time. You must reschedule BEFORE your original reservation time. We’re happy to reschedule rentals, but there are no refunds on these services.
You do not need to worry about tipping our kayaks over. They are a beginner-friendly sit-on-top style that is very stable and designed not to tip easily. While our kayaks are designed for stability, it’s important to note that any kayak can tip if a paddler stands up or behaves unsafely.
Yes, each guest is required to sign a waiver, which includes agreeing to wear your life jacket the entire time.
We encourage you to book ahead of time online to make sure you get the equipment you want when you want. Visit thirdcoastpaddling.com, click “book now,” and choose your rental location. You’re also welcome to drop by to rent, but your selection may be limited – or not available at all – depending on demand.
