Paddle Milwaukee's waterways before the city wakes up
1.5 hours
Kayak, life jacket, paddle
Start your day paddling Milwaukee's waterways in the early morning. Experienced paddlers may head toward Lake Michigan or stay on the rivers as conditions allow.
Same-day cancellations may be rebooked but may not receive a refund. No-shows are nonrefundable. If the trip is canceled due to weather or river conditions, you can rebook or receive a refund.
Product ID: 687TSJ
Join only if you are a Season Pass Member. You must know how to swim. Paddle your own kayak if you are 12+; if you are under 12, share a tandem kayak or canoe with someone age 18 or older. If you are under 18, an adult must sign your waiver.
Yes. The max weight capacity for a single kayak is 275 lbs.
Wear lightweight clothing (avoid jeans or heavy cotton) and plan for the weather with a rain jacket or windbreaker. Wear sandals, flip-flops, or thin-sole shoes. Bring a water bottle filled with water, sunscreen, your ID, and a camera if you’d like. A towel to sit on and paddling or biking gloves are optional; small coolers are okay.
MKC main location at Jerry's Docks, 318 South Water Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Milwaukee River kayaking gets consistently high marks from paddlers who appreciate the combination of friendly, knowledgeable staff and a scenic urban route. The team here clearly knows how to make newcomers feel comfortable, with instructors like Paul and Sherry getting specific shout-outs for their patience and expertise. First-timers mention feeling safe and well-prepared, while repeat visitors keep coming back for the convenient launch point and well-maintained equipment. Free dry bags and storage cubbies are nice practical touches. The location in the Third Ward offers surprisingly good paddling in both directions along the river, with interesting views of downtown Milwaukee and landmarks like the Harley Museum. The rental process is smooth and efficient, with easy online booking and staff who provide helpful route suggestions. Families seem particularly happy with how accommodating the operation is across different skill levels and ages.
We booked Milwaukee Kayak Company based on price after researching a few kayak companies in MKE. We had an enjoyable experience kayaking on the Milwaukee river with a guide (Paul, I believe) who provided some narration. He was quite the character! We've kayaked several times before, but it was a unique experience paddling through the center of a city with buildings and bridges all around. We booked easily online prior to our vacation and they were very responsive by text when we asked to change the date. Life jackets and instruction were provided. Porta-potties were availabe for use. The guide was kind enough to take everyone's photo in front of a nearby bridge and e-mail the photos. There were 6 people tandem kayaking the day we did the tour, including us, plus the guide. Look for the signs for Milwaukee Kayak Company as you approach Jerry's Docks. It was easy to find. If I had any feedback, we would have liked a little more in-depth narration. Note: We tipped our guide, as did others on the tour.
E J
September 2, 2026
We booked Milwaukee Kayak Company based on price after researching a few kayak companies in MKE. We had an enjoyable experience kayaking on the Milwaukee river with a guide (Paul, I believe) who provided some narration. He was quite the character! We've kayaked several times before, but it was a unique experience paddling through the center of a city with buildings and bridges all around. We booked easily online prior to our vacation and they were very responsive by text when we asked to change the date. Life jackets and instruction were provided. Porta-potties were availabe for use. The guide was kind enough to take everyone's photo in front of a nearby bridge and e-mail the photos. There were 6 people tandem kayaking the day we did the tour, including us, plus the guide. Look for the signs for Milwaukee Kayak Company as you approach Jerry's Docks. It was easy to find. If I had any feedback, we would have liked a little more in-depth narration. Note: We tipped our guide, as did others on the tour.
E J
September 2, 2026
Paddle Milwaukee's rivers with time to explore and stop along the way
Explore Milwaukee’s rivers with a self-paced paddle and included instruction
Paddle past Milwaukee’s skyline and landmark stories with a guide
Rent a kayak for 8 hours in Milwaukee (ages 18+)
Rent a kayak for 4 hours and paddle on your own schedule
Paddle solo or share a tandem kayak on the water