10 Kayak Rental and Paddleboard Rental Options on Kansas City Area Lakes

There are kayak rental and paddleboard rental options at Kansas City area lakes for those who want to try out paddling, or occasionally enjoy time on the water. Paddle KC is a paddling club for people who own a kayak, paddleboard or canoe, but we often get questions about where to rent boats and boards. This list includes accurate info for Kansas City area lakes with rental options for kayaks, paddleboards and canoes.

Regardless of where you rent, remember to always wear your life jacket, wear quick-dry synthetic-fabric clothes (not cotton) if possible, and bring water and sunscreen. If you love it enough to buy your own gear, join Paddle KC to have fun, learn skills and safety, and meet new paddling friends over shared adventures! We paddle regularly at a wide variety of local paddling spots as well as paddling destinations. Check out our article on How To Choose A Kayak (Buying or Upgrading). Also, follow Paddle KC paddling club on facebook for tips and occasional public events including demo days.

Two Main On‑Lake Rental Options

• Kiosks at Kill Creek Park, Lake Lenexa and Lake Olathe let you paddle anytime without reservations—perfect for spontaneous outings. Scan the QR code on the kayak storage box, enter your info to “check out” a kayak plus life jacket and paddle, and the storage box unlocks for you to use the rented gear.

• Marinas at Shawnee Mission Lake, Lake Olathe and Lake Jacomo offer full-service vibes with staff, a greater variety of gear, and amenities like restrooms and concession stands. Renting at a popular location like Shawnee Mission Lake usually ensures more people around for additional assistance if needed while on the water, which is a nice bonus. 

Kansas City, KANSAS Area Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals

Kill Creek Park, Olathe, KS

• Lake size: 27 acre lake and creek reservoir, part of Kill Creek Park (897 acres)

• Self‑service kiosk: Rent.Fun app‑enabled rental lockers at the boat ramp for kayaks

• Season: Marina Memorial Day to Labor Day. Self-service kiosk April 1–Oct 31, daily kiosk access from 6 am to 8 pm

• Cost: Kill Creek Park Marina rentals $22/hour (Johnson Co. residents), $25/hour (non‑residents)
  Kill Creek Park Self-service kiosk rental $25 under 2 hours, $40 under 4 hours

Lake Lenexa (Black Hoof Park), Lenexa, KS

• Lake size: 35 acres in a 231‑acre park

• Self‑service kiosk: Rent.Fun app‑enabled rental lockers at the boat ramp for kayaks

• Season: April 1–Oct 31, daily kiosk access from 6 am to 8 pm

• Cost: Lake Lenexa Self-service kiosk rental $25 under 2 hours, $40 under 4 hours

Lake Olathe, Olathe, KS

• Lake size: 170 acre lake in 258 acre community park

• Marina rentals: staffed marina with kayaks, SUPs, canoes

• Self‑service kiosk: Rent.Fun app‑enabled rental lockers near Marina on the lake shoreline

• Season: Marina rentals Memorial Day to Labor Day 11 am – 5:15 pm. Self-service kiosks, open daily from sun‑up to sun‑down April to Oct during park hours

• Cost: Lake Olathe Marina rentals $5 per 30 min up to 2 hours plus $10 Olathe resident / $12 non-resident swim admission
  Lake Olathe Self-service kiosk rental $25 under 2 hours, $40 under 4 hours

Lexington Lake, KS

• Lake size: 27 acre lake in a 465‑acre community park
  

• Self‑service kiosk: Rent.Fun app‑enabled rental lockers at the boat ramp for kayaks

• Season: April 1–Oct 31, daily kiosk access from 6 am to 8 pm

• Cost: Lexington Lake Self-service kiosk rental $25 under 2 hours, $40 under 4 hours

Shawnee Mission Park Marina, Shawnee, KS

• Lake size: 120 acre lake in 1,655 acre park

• Marina rentals: staffed marina with kayaks, SUPs, canoes

• Season: May 3–May 25: weekends only, May 26–Aug 10: daily, Aug 16–Aug 31: weekends only, closes 3:30 Sept 1

• Cost: Shawnee Mission Park Marina rentals $22/hour (Johnson Co. residents), $25/hour (non‑residents)

• Booking: Online up to 7 days ahead; walk‑ups accepted 30 min before launch slot. 30‑min buffer for sanitizing

Hillsdale Lake – Scott Creek Campground & Jayhawk Marina, Paola, KS

• Lake size: 4,580-acre reservoir, 51 miles of shoreline

• Rental style: Campground-based in-person rentals at Quail Run campground (no online info available)

• Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day

• Cost: State park vehicle daily fee $5 or vehicle annual pass $25, plus canoes & kayaks $10/hr or $40/day

 

Kansas City, MISSOURI Area Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals

Lake Jacomo Marina, Blue Springs, MO

• Lake size: 970 acre reservoir in 7,809 Fleming Park

• On‑site rentals: Staffed marina, with single and tandem kayaks

• Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day

• Cost: Lake Jacomo Marina Kayak Rentals Single kayak $25/hr tandem $30/hr

• Extras: Marina snacks and nachos, restrooms, scenic trails.

Smithville Lake – Smithville, MO

• Lake size: 7,190-acre reservoir (park portion smaller)

• Rental style: Rental companies of Big Foot Outfitters and Paradise Outfitters

• Season: Typically late spring–early fall. Check outfitter for details.

• Cost: Big Foot Outfitters in-person rentals – kayak $50 – $100 depending on type and length of rental.
  Paradise Outfitters rentals – kayak $60 – $140 depending on type and length of rental.