Group Kayaking at Sweetwater Creek State Park

Half Day Kayaking Experience with Nature Play Studio! 

Please DM or email (natureplaystudio1@gmail.com) prior to purchasing to discuss dates and availability. Thank you!  We can discuss a morning or afternoon timeframe. Weekdays or weekends available with advance scheduling. Please give advance notice of 2 weeks minimum to allow for scheduling and coordination of details. We try our best to be accommodating. 

Half day: 0-4 hours, morning or afternoon. Park closes at dark. Minimum age is 5 years old. 

Nature Play Studio offers kayaking excursions this spring and summer at Sweetwater Creek State Park. Kayak independently with your group or alongside Nature Play Studio, if preferred.

Enjoy the 215 acre lake with nature and wildlife all around you. Bring your own life vests or rent them on site from the Bait Shop (open seasonally). Bait Shop
Friday-Sunday 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. These are current seasonal hours and subject to change. 

Arrive 15 mins prior to your scheduled time for safety orientation and instructions. Review and sign the WAIVER. Email your signed waiver(s) in advance or bring a signed and printed copy with you. We will meet you at the dock with everything ready to go. 

Kayaking on the quiet reservoir at Sweetwater Creek State Park is enjoyable for the whole family. We will go over water and boat safety. We will provide beginner kayaking instructions for the novice of any age!

📌 Waivers must be completed before paddling.

🚘  $5 entry per car. Annual State Park passes available for purchase. 

Sweetwater Creek State Park Map

Optional Add-Ons:

• For 2-4 people: Fishing poles and bait: $10
• For up to 6 people: Picnic lunch, snacks, and cooler with drinks. Designed to meet any dietary needs: $100

Included for Use:

• Hammock setup in the nearby trees
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• First Aid Kit
• Dry Box/Dry Bag for storing your cameras, binoculars, snacks, an extra layer of clothing, or essential medications.
• Tow Rope
• Safety Whistle
• We have a limited number of adult and youth life vests available

* (2) Single kayaks best suited for adults. Nucanou and Flint Kayaks. Sit on top kayaks. 11.5 feet long. 

* (3) Single kayaks are appropriate for adults or youth ages 9+. Perception Tribe sit on top kayaks. 9 feet long.

* (1) Tandem kayak for an adult and child 5 years or older. Perception Tribe sit on top kayak. All children ages 5-9 must be in our tandem boat with an adult. 

* What to Wear: Guests should wear water shoes that stay securely on their feet, quick-dry clothing, swimsuit, sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. * Non-cotton clothing advised. Shoes: avoid anything without a back strap, like flip-flops, because they come off your feet too easily.

Make a day of it and hike the trails. Rock hop along the edge of the river. Visit the historic mill ruins. Geocache. Tent or yurt camping available with advance reservations. 

Celebrate a special occasion on the water! Create a family memory. Enjoy nature and wildlife. Play with nature. Explore! 

Weather Policy:

• We will monitor the weather and communicate if the conditions seem unsuitable and unsafe. 
• Refunds will be given due to unsafe weather conditions such as high winds, heavy rain, lightning, and thunder.
• Rescheduling will be arranged. 

Cancellation Policy:

• A full refund will be given due to inclement weather. 
• A full refund will be given when your excursion is canceled a least 24 hours in advance. 
• No refunds will be given when your excursion is canceled less than 24 hours. 
• In order to ensure a safe and happy environment, we reserve the right to deny, abort, or refuse services at our discretion.

The following are meant to keep paddlers and our beloved reservoir a safe and happy place:

• Always wear your lifejacket (PFD) while on the water.
• Do not disturb wildlife. 
• Do not stand up in a canoe or kayak and avoid weight shifts that may cause capsize.
• Never litter and always pack out trash.
• Keep weight low and centered for the best stability and craft handling.
• Stay together as a group.
• Recognize when others in your group are tired or having difficulty and adjust pace. Look out for everyone in your group.
• Communicate effectively on the water. Wind and water sounds can make hearing others difficult.
• Sun and wind can be very dehydrating – make sure you drink plenty of water.
• Wear sunscreen and reapply every two hours.
• Dress in layers using clothing made of synthetic fabrics. Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants provide great sun and bug protection.

* ALL proceeds go to the LLS to remember a loved one we lost in 2018. We lost our brother and uncle, Steve, to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was 35 years old with a precious 4 year old boy at the time. His wife, Erica, was 29. Steve loved being on the water. He loved kayaking and fishing more than anything. He was on the water whenever he could. He enjoyed the water with his wife, son, dad, and brother. Rivers. Lakes. Oceans. Salt water. Fresh water. Brackish water. He even loved pools. To honor and remember Steve, we offer kayaking experiences for friends and family to make memories together. 

Tips for Beginner Kayaking (video) 

What to Wear Kayaking (Source: REI) 

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Participants must read and sign THIS WAIVER prior to kayaking. 

USAGE AGREEMENT
I accept full responsibility for the kayak or raft and safety equipment rented (“the Equipment”) and agree to pay for any damage to the Equipment and replace
the Equipment at full retail value if not returned by the agreed date and time.

KAYAKING SAFETY
I acknowledge that I have been advised it is mandatory to wear an approved personal floatation device and helmet while kayaking/rafting and to carry other safety equipment such as pump, paddle float, and bailer which have all been provided to me at the time of rental. I am familiar with the proper use of the Equipment, including how to self-rescue, and of the river/lake/reservoir environment including tides, currents and weather effects. I am aware that there are members available to answer any questions that I may have as to the proper use of the Equipment.

ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
I am aware that kayaking/rafting and the rental of kayaking/rafting equipment involves many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: accidents which occur during transportation or travel to and from the put in; slip and falls while getting into or out of the boats; overturning of the boats; loss of balance; impact, collision with or entrapment by trees, logs, deadfall, boats or equipment; hypothermia; drowning, changing and inclement weather conditions including storms, high wind, high waves, and lightning; on land or camping hazards such as falling due to uneven terrain, unstable beach logs, slippery rocks, falling branches, campfire, pressurized cooking fuels and appliances, kitchen equipment, hot liquid; encounters with domestic or wild animals; mechanical failure of the equipment, negligence on the part of other participants; and NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART THE RELEASES AND THE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS AND THEIR STAFF, INCLUDING THE FAILURE ON THE PART OF THE RELEASEES TO SAFEGUARD OR PROTECT ME FROM THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AS A RESULT OF MY USE OF THE EQUIPMENT. I AM AWARE OF THE RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH KAYAKING/RAFTING AND THE RENTAL OF KAYAK/RAFT EQUIPMENT AND I FREELY ACCEPT AND FULLY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, DANGERS AND HAZARDS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS RESULTING THEREFROM.