There’s no better way to spend a Maryland summer than hanging out on the water with the family. Paddling a boat on a nearby lake, river or the Chesapeake Bay is a great family activity.
In the second installment in our Spending the Day on the Water series we are covering places to paddle. Whether you prefer a canoe, kayak, rowboat or paddleboat, there are plenty of places for your family to take a leisurely paddle in the Baltimore-Annapolis area. Here are some places that provide on-site rentals and allow you to captain your own craft.
Places to paddle with kids
Updated May 2016
Tuckahoe State Park, Queen Anne
At Tuckahoe State Park in Queen Anne’s County, families can choose to paddle on the 60-acre lake or along more than 20 acres of the Upper Tuckahoe Creek. Don’t be surprised to see a muskrat or beaver along the banks, and bald eagles, osprey and great blue herons above as you explore the hidden nooks and crannies of Tuckahoe Lake.
Single and tandem kayaks and canoes (gear included): $15/2 hours, $25/4 hours
13070 Crouse Mill Road, Queen Anne
410-820-1668
Explore the 75 acres of Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park by kayak, canoe, rowboat or pedal boat. Watercraft rentals are available at the Lake Needwood Boat House, which also can provide bamboo fishing poles, bait and snacks. Make it a fun outing for the whole family and take your pet — dogs are welcome aboard all rental boats.
Kayaks, canoes, rowboats: $13/hour; $45/day.
Pedal boats: $11/30 minutes
15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville
301-563-7544
Centennial Lake in Howard County’s Centennial Park has two- and four-seat paddleboats as well as canoes and kayaks for rent. There’s also a path around the lake and several playgrounds in the 325-acre park.
Canoe, kayak, rowboat: $10/hour; $60/day.
Paddle boat: $10/30 minutes
9801 Old Annapolis Road, Ellicott City
Centennial Park Boat Rentals, 410-313-7303
Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis has single or double kayaks, pedal boats, rowboats and paddleboards to explore picturesque Harness Creek.
Single kayak: $15/hr; double kayak: $20/hr.
Rowboats, pedal boats and paddleboards: $20/hr.
Paddle or Pedal
600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis
410-271-7007
Be sure to read about other ways to spend the day on the water with the kids fishing , tubing and sailing.