READY TO BOOK FOR 2025 AT THE PAW PAW RIVER?

• Make your reservation. (Remember, all rental sites are on Eastern time.)
  
• Look for a confirmation email with details about your booking, and follow instructions for filling out your electronic liability waiver.
• Arrive on time for your reservation (5 minutes ahead of your scheduled time is best!). If you're late for your scheduled time, we may be unable to accommodate you.
• You’ll paddle for your scheduled duration, returning to the same place you started (see map below). The river is very mellow and slow-moving so paddling upstream is easy, and there are a ton of nooks & crannies to explore. You can even stop along the way for lunch or a craft beer at North Pier Brewing Company or North Shore Inn — just make sure you reserve enough time when you make your booking to paddle!

Prefer not to reserve your rental equipment in advance? You’re welcome to drop by to rent, but please note that your selection may be limited – or not available at all – depending on demand. Please be sure to check our calendar for current hours.

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What to Bring

• Electronic liability waiver - complete ahead of time for yourself, and anyone else in your group. (Find the link to the waiver in your confirmation email.)
• Your driver’s license - our staff will need a photo of your license (only one needed per party) as a security deposit while you paddle.
• Dress for the weather - come prepared to get a little wet and be out in the sun. Sunglasses, sunblock, and a hat are a good idea. Your phone/camera have a possibility of getting wet, so bring a waterproof bag.
• No alcohol allowed on the water.

Age Policy

• Kids under the age of 18 - cannot paddle alone without someone over 18 in the group.
• Kids age 14 and older - can paddle their own kayak or paddleboard if accompanied by a parent or guardian in another kayak or on another paddleboard.
• Kids under the age of 14 - can ride in a double kayak only if accompanied by an adult; there is no age limit, and it is up to the parent’s/guardian’s discretion.

WEATHER  |  Rescheduling  |  Cancellations

• Arrive on time for your reservation - if you are late for your scheduled time, we may be unable to accommodate you when you arrive. (Remember, our rental sites are on Eastern time.)
• Weather conditions - if we are unable to open the rental site due to unsafe weather conditions, we will contact you as soon as possible regarding the change in plans, and you'll receive a full credit to reschedule at your convenience. Please note that if the rental site is open as usual but you don’t plan to paddle at your scheduled reservation time due to possible weather conditions, you will need to use the reschedule link in your confirmation email to select a new day and time before your original reservation time.
• Need to reschedule? If you need to reschedule your reservation, you can use the reschedule link in your confirmation email to select a new day and time. Please note that rescheduling must be completed before your original reservation time.
• Cancellations & refunds - we're happy to reschedule rentals or offer full credit to use for future rentals, but there are no refunds on these services. For guests who would  prefer the option of a refund rather than rescheduling for another date, our reservation software vendor, Peek Pro, provides the option to protect your experience through Peek Protect Coverage by Spot. This coverage is ONLY available if booking your reservation online and cannot be added after your booking has already been confirmed.

Visit Us

Our Paw Paw River kayak and paddleboard rental site is located just outside downtown St. Joseph, Michigan, and the Benton Harbor Arts District, next to Renaissance Athletic Club, and 90 minutes from Chicago. Please note that you must pay to park in the Graham Avenue boat launch parking lot; the City of Benton Harbor charges $5 for 3 hours or $10 for all day parking. You also have the option of parking somewhere else and walking in.

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Third Coast Paddling – Paw Paw River Kayak & Paddleboard Rentals
601 Graham Avenue
Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022

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AREA INFORMATION

Southwest Michigan Tourist Council
St. Joseph Today