12 ways to get out on the water if you don’t own a boat — kayaking, canoeing, more…

Mecklenburg County Nature Preserves

Two of Mecklenburg County’s Nature Preserves have access to lakes. Latta Nature Preserve is the gateway to Mountain Island Lake, and McDowell Nature Preserve accesses Lake Wylie. Both Latta and McDowell offer guided kayaking tours, at $20. At Latta Nature Preserve, you can also take a kayaking intro ($20 for a single kayak, and $25 for a tandem.)

Look at the schedule for kayak activities, and register, here.

Latta Nature Center and Preserve, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve, 15222 South York Road, Charlotte

In addition, there are sometimes kayaking opportunities at Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews. Those activities will also show up in the above search.

Anne Springs Close Greenway

Anne Springs Close Greenway offers kayak, tandem kayak, and stand-up paddleboarding rentals on Saturdays and Sundays. The cost is $15 for non-members, and 50% off for Anne Springs Close Greenway members. Please note that the Greenway is open to only members on the weekends, unless you have a boat rental. Reservations are required. Follow the above link to make your reservation.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

The Whitewater Center offers flatwater kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on the Catawba River and Long Creek. For $35 you can have access to both kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding all day. The fee includes a personal flotation device. Tandem kayaks are available, but require two activity passes. Parking is $6.

U.S. Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation

Catawba Riverkeeper offers kayaking experiences at three locations on Saturdays and Sundays June through September.

Flatwater Kayak Rentals take place at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park, 1400 Catawba Street, Belmont. Check back soon for costs. In 2021, it was $25 for 90 minutes. Enjoy self-guided paddling on a calm part of Lake Wylie. Residents of Belmont get a $5 discount with ID. The experience includes use of the kayak, paddle, personal flotation device, and safety instructions. Rentals are walk-up only, no reservations.

Kayak Rentals at Boathouse: Kayaks, standup paddleboards and canoes can be rented at the Boathouse. You’ll get to explore about a half mile of the South Fork of the Catawba River, both upstream and downstream. Rental fee includes boat, paddle, personal flotation device and safety instruction. The cost is $20 for kayaks, $20 for standup paddleboards and $30 for canoes. Rentals are walk-up only and are available Saturdays and Sundays. 115 Willow Drive, McAdenville. (Please note that these are 2021 prices. We will update if we learn that they’ve changed for 2022.)

You can save some money with a Kayak Rental Punch Card. Pay $158.61 (that includes $150 plus fees) for 10 rentals.

Slow Flow Kayak Rentals allow you to paddle for 60 to 90 minutes on slow moving water from McAdenville to Cramerton. The trips are unguided, but Catawba Riverkeeper staff will help you in and out of the water. You start at the McAdenville South Fork River Greenway, and end in historic Cramerton. Check back soon for cost. The cost is $30, and that includes use of the kayak, paddle, personal flotation device, safety instructions, and a shuttle ride back to your car. Belmont residents receive a $5 discount. Rentals are walk-up only. (Please note that these are 2021 prices. We will update if we learn that they’ve changed for 2022.)

Half-Day Guided Tour. This is a three-hour guided tour from Spencer Mountain to The Boathouse. Meet at The Boathouse, 115 Willow Drive, McAdenville. They’ll shuttle you to Spencer Mountain, and two experienced guides will help you navigate a beautiful stretch of the South Fork of the Catawba, which includes low class 1 rapids. The cost is $50, and that includes use of the kayak, paddle personal flotation device, safety instructions, the guided trip and shuttle. Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ups will be permitted if available.

More info on Catawba Riverkeeper’s kayaking programs.

Cane Creek Park

Cane Creek Park in Waxhaw provides a wide variety of boating experiences with a low price. This park boasts a 350-acre lake with a swim beach. Jon boats, canoes and kayaks are all available for rental for just $4/hour. Or rent a pedal boat for just $2 for 30 minutes. You can also buy a day pass for $5, and that includes swimming, mini golf and pedal boats. Veterans with honorable status receive a 50% discount. Entrance to Cane Creek Park is $4 per vehicle. Here’s the rate sheet for all that Cane Creek offers.

Cane Creek Park, 5213 Harkey Road, Waxhaw

Dave’s Paddleboats

Paddleboats are available at Shoppes at University Place. They can accommodate two adults, plus one small child. The cost is $15 for 30 minutes. From April to September there are hours in the evenings during the week, and on days and nights Saturdays and Sundays. From October to March, hours are just Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Shoppes at University Place, 8929 JM Keynes Drive, Charlotte

Lake Fisher

Interested in fishing? Lake Fisher, which is operated by the City of Concord Parks and Recreation, rents 14-foot and 15-foot jon boats. Personal flotation devices and oars are included in the rental fee, which is:

City of Concord Residents

• Children under 12 (must be accompanied by an adult): Free
• Youth (12-16): $4
• Adults (17-59): $5
• Seniors (60+): $4

Non-Residents

• Children under 12 (must be accompanied by an adult): Free
• Youth (12-16): $8
• Adults (17-59): $10
• Seniors (60+): $8

You need to bring your own fishing equipment and tackle. You may also bring an outboard motor up to 10 HP, fuel, trolling motor and/or marine batteries, if you’d like. You need a North Carolina fishing license.

Lake Fisher, 5099 Lake Fisher Road, Kannapolis

Morrow Mountain State Park

Morrow Mountain State Park provides access to Lake Tillery, as well as a beautiful view from the top of the mountain. You can rent a kayak or canoe from the boathouse on the weekend. The cost is $10 per hour. Rentals are available first-come, first-served until they run out of personal flotation devices. If you bring your own U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device, you can use that. Morrow Mountain State Park is just an hour and fifteen minutes from Charlotte.

Morrow Mountain State Park, 49104 Morrow Mountain Road, Albemarle

Rent a Pontoon Boat

There are many outfitters on Lake Norman and Lake Wylie that rent pontoon boats. In some cases the rental comes with a captain and in some cases you are the captain. The price varies, but generally up to ten people can be aboard, so if everyone chips in, it becomes more affordable. Also, always check Groupon. Just go to Groupon and search for “boat.” Jet ski rentals and ski boats are also available for rental. (Please note that if you make a purchase on Groupon through the above link that Charlotte on the Cheap will earn a small commission.)

Tailrace Marina

Another option, besides the U.S. Whitewater Center, for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the Catawba River, is Tailrace Marina. Two-hour rentals are available for single kayaks ($30), double kayaks ($40) and stand-up paddleboards ($30.) One thing that could make this a good option is that they offer season passes for $180. Tailrace Marina also rents pontoon boats.

Tailrace Marina, 1010 Marina Village Drive, Mount Holly

Lilly’s Bridge Marina

Another option, besides Morrow Mountain State Park, for paddling on Lake Tillery is Lilly’s Bridge Marina. They rent kayaks at $20/hour, or $100 for a full day. They also rent pontoon boats.

Lilly’s Bridge Marina, 1183 Lilly’s Bridge Road, Mount Gilead