Let’s face it, the Mississippi just isn’t a feasible place to go paddling this summer. It’s been the longest flooding season that St Louis has ever seen, with the river staying at flood levels for more than 100 consecutive days. However, that doesn’t rule out your waterfront fix this summer—it just means an opportunity to explore new spots. Whether you’re renting or bringing your own, here are some local places for the kayaker, stand-up paddleboarder, or canoe captain in you.
Cuivre River State Park
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After a 52-minute drive out of the city, you’ll find Cuivre River State Park, home to Lincoln Lake. You can either head straight to the water and drop in your boat or you can rent one at the campground check station. The park’s kayaks and canoes are available for $5 by the hour or $25 for the day. The park also has a beach and camping and hiking options if you’re looking for an extended stay. 678 MO-147, Troy, Missouri.
Creve Coeur Lake
After a summer full of floodwaters, Creve Coeur Lake has opened its ramps for the season. The St. Louis County Lake has boat ramps on all sides. One northern boat ramp is popular with sailboats. You can rent out a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard on the south end of the lake at Creve Coeur Lake Rentals. They use a boat ramp near the Taco Bell Shelter, which is also open to whoever wants to drop in. Sailboat Cove, 13725 Marine.
Meramec Waterways
The Meramec has drop-in points all along the river as it winds its way past St. Louis. Great Rivers Greenway has compiled a short list of nearby routes that can take as short of time as half an hour to as long as an afternoon. These routes seldom include nearby rental stands, so this is more of a bring-your-own-boat situation. The national weather service tracks water levels online as a resource to help plan a trip. Pro tip: Take a group and park cars on either end of your journey.
Forest Park Boathouse
The Boathouse is in the center of Forest Park and sits on the edge of a small lake. From there, you can reach any of the waterways throughout the park. Unfortunately, the park restricts the use of any outside watercraft, but the boathouse does rent out paddle boats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards by the hour. The rates range from $15 to $22. 6101 Government.
Simpson Lake
On the northern side of St. Louis County, Simpson Park is home to 72-acre Simpson Lake and one of SUP St. Louis’ two locations. The company provides guided paddles on the water and SUP board yoga classes. If you want to go on your own, Simpson Lake has a ramp open to the public throughout the summer. 1234 Marshall.
