Hello! We have 3 locations including:
Milwaukee Kayak Company - main location
@ Jerry's Docks / Harbor Yards
318 SOUTH Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Our main location is open 7/days a week and is located on the Milwaukee River across from the Third Ward in the Harbor District. You can see the Hoan Bridge out to Lake Michigan from the end of our dock. Our main location has a parking lot and there's free street parking.
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Milwaukee Kayak Company @ Schlitz Park
1555 North RiverCenter Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 301-2240 (our main location answers phone calls and text messages for all locations)
Our Schlitz Park location is located upriver from our main location in Jerry's Docks and is located in the Schlitz Park parking lot across from the North End Apartments. Look for our tan shipping container set up near the river. Our Schlitz Park location is open most Saturdays and Sundays in summer.
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Milwaukee Kayak Company @ Twisted Fisherman
1200 West Canal Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 301-2240 (our main location answers phone calls and text messages for all locations)
Our Twisted Fisherman location is located on the Menomonee River, just upriver from our main location in Jerry's Docks. Our Twisted Fisherman location is open most Saturdays and Sundays in summer and also hosts FunkClub's MKE River Roundup on Wednesday evenings from 5-8pm - join us!!
Visit our Find Us page for map and directions.
@ Jerry's Docks (main location)
318 SOUTH Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 301-2240
Monday - Friday 10am-7:30pm
Saturday + Sunday 9am-7:30pm
* all boats currently due back by 7:30pm
@ Schlitz Park
Milwaukee, WI 53212
We recommend making reservations to ensure boat availability. Please click on the "Book Now" button on the bottom right corner to make a reservation. You may also call or text us anytime to make a reservation @ (414) 301-2240. Thanks!
Single kayak: $40 / 0-4 hours
Tandem kayak: $75 / 0-4 hours
Canoe: $80 / 0-4 hours
Paddleboard (SUP): $40 / 0-4 hours
Our kayaks do not fit everyone. The maximum weight capacity for our most stable recreational kayak is 275 lbs. depending on river and weather conditions. The maximum weight capacity for our tandem kayaks is 475 lbs (tandem = Perception Cove 14.5 T or Old Town Dirigo Tandem). Here's a link to our Old Town Guide 160 canoes.
Yes, we do offer gift certificates. Click on the "Book Now" button on the bottom right of our website to purchase a gift certificate. You can also stop by and purchase one in person through this same process. If you'd like a postcard and stickers to go along with your gift certificate, please let us know and we can mail out to you.
Parking is available on the street or within the gravel area located directly outside of the main entrance gate. We may have parking inside the boatyard too. Please look for our directional signage outside of the boatyard. Please keep all goods locked in your trunk. We have a limited supply of dry bags that you can borrow to protect your belongings.
Schlitz Park location:
Parking is available in the Schlitz Park parking lot near our dock.
What should you bring:
• You!
• Water bottle filled with water
• Small coolers okay
• Snacks okay
• Dress for the weather – consider bringing a windbreaker (do not wear jeans or heavy cotton)
• Camera
• ID
• Towel(s) to sit on
What should you wear:
You will be paddling, so you may get a little wet while enjoying a great day in the sun.
You should dress for the water temperature (not weather). We recommend wearing lightweight, synthetic, quick dry clothing. Do not wear jeans or heavy cotton clothing. Wear thin-soled shoes or sports sandals. Do not wear boots or thick-soled shoes.
Consider bringing a rain jacket to protect you from wind and other elements. You can always store it in the boat with you.
Please be sure to bring a water bottle filled with water.
All paddlers need to be 12+ to paddle their own kayaks.
Paddlers under the age of 12 can share a tandem kayak or canoe with someone age 18 or older.
All paddlers under the age of 18 need to have their parent/guardian approval, and must have their parents/guardian sign the waiver.
Please call with questions (414) 301-2240.
All of our boat rentals include a life jacket and paddle. All renters must wear a life jacket when near or on the water. We will outfit you when you arrive and have jackets to fit children, youth and adults.
Our main location in Harbor Yards/Jerry’s Docks is located on private property and unfortunately, we cannot launch personal watercraft from this location. We are all about safety, however, and would never separate one person from another or one person from a group of people renting kayaks/boats from us. Please call to chat and when making a reservation, we will make a note that someone may be bringing their own kayak(s) to launch… it’s very helpful for us to know. Thanks!
Please note that our Schlitz Park weekend location is a public launch and you can launch from there.
Below is list of many great public launches. The first four listed are close to our main location in Harbor Yards/Jerry’s Docks. Our Schlitz Park weekend location is a public launch and you can launch your personal watercraft from that location when we are open. For a complete list, please visit the Milwaukee Urban Water Trail Map on the Milwaukee Riverkeeper website.
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Marine Terminal Lofts – Milwaukee River across from our main location = CLOSED FOR THE '23 SEASON
Directly across from our main location dock on the corner of Erie and the Broadway Street Bridge. Park on the street, walk to the river and look down. You’ll see a dock and a small black kayak launch. Sometimes the gate is locked and sometimes the kayak launch has been removed so please don’t count on this launch but know that it’s there. You can always give us a call to see if we know the status.
Between Hansen’s Landing & Harbor Point Condos – Milwaukee River across and just downriver from MKC
This is a good and close option. It’s located just downriver and across from our main location. This public dock is between Hansen’s Landing and Harbor Point Condos in the Third Ward on Erie Street. Parking is available on the street. This dock is very convenient and is a nice low dock with public access. The closest intersection is E. Polk Street and E. Erie Street – walk down to the river, between the buildings and you’ll see the public launch.
Riverfront Boat Launch – Milwaukee River/Milwaukee Harbor
Another close public launch is the Riverfront Boat Launch at the end of Bruce Street a few blocks down river from MKC directly in line with the Hoan Bridge. There may be a fee to launch from this spot. Please note that this launch can get busy with motorized boats, especially on the weekends. Closest intersection is Bruce Street and South Water Street. Address: 600 S. Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Harbor View Plaza – Milwaukee Harbor
Located at the east end of Greenfield Avenue in front of the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences. Very kayak friendly dock, just make sure you’re prepared for the weather as it is located in the inner harbor which can be very windy at times.
Emmber Lane – Menomonee River
The Emmber Lane kayak launch on the Menomonee River is a great place to launch your kayak or canoe. The launch is very close to Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful‘s office. Closest intersection is Emmber Lane and Mt. Vernon Avenue on the Menomonee River – launch is on the northwest corner of the bridge.
Kiwanis Landing Boat Launch – Milwaukee River
One of the best places to launch your kayak or canoe is the new Kiwanis Landing Boat Launch near the River Revitalization Foundation offices located on the Milwaukee River near the Humboldt Street bridge. This is very close to the old North Avenue dam. Closest intersection is Humboldt Avenue and Riverboat Road.
Pere Marquette Park – Milwaukee River
Pere Marquette has a nice public dock located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee. You may have to park, unload your kayak and then find a parking spot on the street. There are parking structures close by too. This launch is located off N. Old World 3rd Street between W. Kilbourn Avenue and W. State Street. Address: 900 N. Plankinton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203
Please call us if you have any questions. – Beth @ MKC
Weather:
We monitor current weather conditions and the forecast throughout the day and will be in touch via text, phone or email if we think weather may be an issue. Rain, stormy weather, wind and river conditions are all factors when it comes to safe paddling conditions. You are always welcome to contact us to check in on conditions too.
Refunds & Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your reservation for any reason, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. If you cancel the same day as your reservation, you may rebook for a different day and will not receive a refund.
If we are closed due to weather or river conditions, you can rebook for a different day or receive a refund, whatever works best for you.
If you do not show up for your reservation, you will not receive a refund. Thanks for understanding.
Let us know if you have any questions! Thanks.