Kayaking in Syracuse

Kayaking at Hiawatha Lake

Locations

Bring your own kayak or rent one from us to enjoy a leisurely paddle at the City’s new kayak launch on Onondaga Creek, in the Inner Harbor. The kayak launch is located on the west shore of the Inner Harbor, with a parking lot located off of Van Rensselaer Street, near the Bear Street intersection. Please note, there are no bathrooms onsite. 

Kayaking and rentals will NOT be available this summer at Hiawatha Lake in Onondaga Park, due to the anticipated maintenance of the lake wall.  

Rental Information

Kayak rentals are available Fridays (5 to 7 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), June – mid August. Single or double kayaks are available to be reserved for 45-minute sessions are syracuse.recdesk.com. Registration opens 7 days prior to the reservable date. All rentals include a life jacket, whistle, paddle and the specific open-top kayak reserved (single or double).  Smoking, alcohol, littering and swimming off the kayaks are prohibited. Rental kayaks may be used only in the inner harbor waterway. Rental kayaks may not be taken beyond the Hiawatha Blvd. bridge into Onondaga Lake. Kayaks are $5 per reservation.

Rental Ages

  • The person renting the kayak must be age 18 and older and must be with the group using the kayak at all times and assume responsibility for everyone in their party.
  • Must be age 14 and older to operate a single kayak and must be accompanied on the water by a parent or or guardian age 18 and older. 

Rental Registration

Interested in trying it? Register and learn more at syracuse.recdesk.com. Registration opens the Monday before the weekend at 8 a.m. Cancellations will be posted on our cancellation page.