Ten canoes and fifteen kayaks are available for paddling trips in Muscatine County.

The canoes are available for float trips on the Cedar River in Muscatine County. A minimum of four canoes must be going for the trips. The kayaks can be rented for use anywhere in the County.

Cedar River Float Trips

From Jack Shuger Park in Moscow, Iowa to the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area, the Cedar River meanders through floodplain forests and Wiese Slough, a State-owned wildlife management area. It is typically wide and fairly shallow during the summer months. There is no whitewater and it is a fun and interesting stretch of the river for experienced and novice canoeists.

Trips may be scheduled Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays, May through September as river conditions allow. Please call our office to check on availability before sending in a reservation form. Reservations should be made no later than the Wednesday before your desired trip date. Download the canoe rental agreement.

Fee includes canoe, two paddles, life jackets, and transportation of the canoe to the launch point in Jack Shuger Park. Canoeists must arrange their own transportation between Jack Shuger Park and the take-out point at the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area .

Fees: $25/canoe (2-3 people)

Kayak Rentals

Kayaks are all are one person kayaks. They can be reserved with a deposit, then you pick up the kayak and take it to your destination. Kayaks can be rented for one or more days. A trailer is available to rent for transportation of the kayaks.

Download the kayak rental agreement for rental rates. Please call our office to check on availability before sending in a reservation form. Minimum notice of 48 hours required for kayak rentals.

These are recreational kayaks with a larger opening and no skirting so getting in and out is relatively easy. They are designed for  paddling on lakes, ponds, streams, and gentle rivers.

Kayaks are not difficult to maneuver, but they are different than canoes. You sit closer to the water and kayaks are very responsive to the paddles. People with canoeing experience can usually learn kayaking quickly.

Try It!

To learn and practice in an easy environment we host several canoeing and kayaking “Try-it!” events each year when people can try out our equipment at no charge. Check out the “Upcoming Events” for the next “Try-it!” event. Organized groups may schedule a “Try-it” event just for their group.

Downloads:

1. Canoe Rental Agreement
2. Kayak Rental Agreement
3. Cedar River map
4. Muscatine County map
5. Cedar River Float Trip Brochure