Lake Woodlands Kayak

Riva Row Boat House

The Riva Row Park & Boat House opened on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The event featured an open house hosted by the Community Associations of The Woodlands and The Woodlands Development Company. Montgomery County residents can discover the pleasures of kayaking at The Woodlands' newest amenity. The Riva Row Boat House is located along the lower Woodlands Waterway.

This recently completed Waterway attraction is located at Riva Row Park (2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands 77380), across the Waterway from Town Green Park. Visitors can take a kayak out for paddle along the lower Waterway and the adjoining Lake Woodlands to the northwest. The Waterway is divided by 6 foot drop in elevation into an upper and lower section. The dam that creates this division is located at Riva Row Park, where the junction between the upper and lower pedestrian walkways provides an important connection from the free parking areas to The Woodlands Pavilion.

Kayak Rental
2012 Season Hours

April 30 - September 3
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed Wednesdays
Special late opening days: May 18 open at 11:00 AM & May 19 open at 10:00 AM

September 4 - December 31
9:00 AM - Sunset
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Explore The Woodlands Waterway from a whole new perspective!

Single Kayaks: $15 1st hour
Tandem Kayaks: $20 1st hour
each are $5 per additional hour
all-day rate no longer available (effective February 2011)

Light concessions and lockers available; bring your own lock.

Last boat out @ at 6:00 PM.

Kayak Reservations

• Reservations are taken any time of day. Start time for reservations must be between 9 and 10 a.m. Payment is required in advance.
• No reservations will be taken on holidays, boats will be rented out on a first come, first served basis. Once all kayaks are rented, the Boat House will start a waiting list. You must be present at the Boat House to add your name and phone number to the list.

Picnic Pack: Grab a friend or a loved one and meet at the Riva Row Boat House for a picnic lunch and a cruise in a kayak! (Must provide at least 24 hours notice)  FEE: $60, includes a two-hour tandem rental and lunch from Hubbell and Hudson.

Enjoy a Group Outing on Lake Woodlands starting at the Boat House. Group packages are available for birthday parties, family reunions, special interest groups and company team building. Packages start at $200. Please call 281 210-3965 for more details.

TWE! suggests that one hour might not be enough time for beginners to enjoy a trip out to Lake Woodlands and return without becoming exhausted. Kayaks are not allowed in/on the upper (east) waterway area.

The direct telephone number for the Riva Row Boathouse is 281 210-3965

What is a Kayak?

Kayak - A kayak differs from a canoe in that the kayak typically has a covered deck (an extension of the hull), a cockpit covered by a water-tight spraydeck, and is propelled by a sitting paddler with a double-bladed (one on each end) paddle (most canoeists use a single bladed paddle). A double-bladed paddle allows for more efficient propulsion (higher stroke rate possible, etc.), but is more difficult to use effectively in a wider craft (canoes tend to be wider than kayaks).
The spraydeck (also known as a skirt) is used to seal the gap between the deck and the paddler, making it possible to recover from a capsize without flooding the interior of the hull with water. In some parts of the world kayaks are considered canoes, and open-decked canoes are called "Canadian canoes".

Lake Woodlands Kayak Rental

The Riva Row Boat House offers kayaks for use on the lower Woodlands Waterway® and Lake Woodlands. The single and tandem kayaks, along with paddles and life jackets, originally provided by Orvis, are available to rent year-round, five to six days a week (Closed some Tuesdays and every Wednesday).

Riva Row Park and Boat House are located at 2101 Riva Row and are reachable via The Waterway pathways. For more information, please call the The Woodlands Township, Parks and Recreation Department at 281 210-3900.

Riva Row Boathouse Programs 2012

These activities are sponsored by The Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation Department. Fees can be paid online at their registration page. For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 281-210-3900.

* Must register at least one week prior to the start of all Riva Row Boat House programs, unless stated otherwise.

Kayaking 101*

A two hour instructional course on kayaking held from 10:00 AM - Noon, learn all the ins and outs of this great sport while you kayak on beautiful Lake Woodlands. For ages 12 and older. FEE: $40 per person.

Lake Woodlands Saturday Excursion*

Bring a friend and be guided around Lake Woodlands on a two-hour tour from 9:30 - 11:30 AM. Snack, drink and the kayak provided. Suitable for all ages. FEE: $40 first person, $15 second person.

• Saturday, June 16
• Saturday, June 30
• Saturday, July 14
• Saturday, July 28
• Saturday, August 11

Little Kayaker Adventure (Instruction)*

Moms, Dads and Grandparents bring your little adventurers out for fun in a kayak! Participants will be shown the ins and outs of a kayak, and go for a ride in this one-hour class held from 4:30 - 5:30 PM! Snacks and drinks provided. Classes for kids of all ages. FEE: $20 per class.

• Thursday, June 7
• Thursday, June 14
• Thursday, June 21
• Thursday, July 12
• Thursday, July 26
• Thursday, August 9

Dog Excursion Day*

Bring your four-legged friend out on a kayak and enjoy a guided tour of Lake Woodlands. Doggie life vests are included. Space is limited - be sure to sign up early! FEE: $40 for the first person (and dog!), $15 for a second person. Call the Boat House for more information; 281 210-3965.

• Saturday, June 9

Boot Camp at the Boat House*

Whether you are training for Adventure Race, want to lose weight or just tired of the same old routine, Boot Camp at the Boat House is for you! This boot camp for ages 18 and older combines kayaking, running and circuit training. Bring running shoes and a towel. FEE: $75 per month, or $20 per class for drop-ins (must provide notice by 7:00 PM the day before the class).

• Mondays & Thursdays, May 7 - May 31; 7:00 - 8:00 AM

Lake Woodlands Clean Up*

Join in and help keep Lake Woodlands trash-free! Pick a day below, register and kayak any time that day. You will receive a trash bag and when you bring it back full of trash, you will get a free one-hour rental the next time you visit. You must stay in the boat while collecting trash! Please call Boat House to register.

• Saturday, May 12
• Saturday, June 9
• Saturday, July 7
• Saturday, August 11

ACA Flatwater Kayak Training*

Learn the American Canoe Association way of paddling. This course will give participants ages 16 and older a full day of paddling and class work so that you will know how to kayak in flat water. FEE: $70 per person. Call the Boat House to obtain schedule.

Private Kayak Lessons*

Not comfortable in a class setting, or just want some one-on-one instruction? Call the Riva Row Boathouse for a dynamic and in depth one-hour lesson with a certified instructor. You will learn everything you need to know to start paddling. Private Kayak Lessons are open to all ages, however, ages 10 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. FEES: One lesson $40 per person or $50 for two people; three lessons: $100 per person or $135 for two people.

These activities are sponsored by The Woodlands Township Parks & Recreation Department. Fees can be paid online at their registration page. For more information, call Parks and Recreation at 281-210-3900.

* Must register at least one week prior to the start of all Riva Row Boat House programs, unless stated otherwise.

All Riva Row Boat House Activity listings are subject to change and/or cancellation & are not arranged or controlled by TheWoodlandsEvents.Com. Township Riva Row Boathouse Website