Northwest Outdoor Center
Overview
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Single Kayak Rental
$25Duration: per hour
Hourly rental of a single kayak.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFD
- •paddle
- •bilge pump
- •paddle float (for single kayaks)
- •optional spray skirt
Double Kayak Rental
$33Duration: per hour
Hourly rental of a double kayak.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
- •bilge pump
- •optional spray skirt
Triple Kayak Rental
$42Duration: per hour
Hourly rental of a triple kayak.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
- •bilge pump
- •optional spray skirt
Paddleboard (SUP) Rental
$25Duration: per hour
Hourly rental of a Standup Paddleboard (SUP).
Includes:
- •paddleboard
- •PFD
- •paddle
Group Rental (9-15 people)
Standard rental ratesDuration: Variable
Group reservations for 9-15 people at standard hourly rates.
Includes:
- •kayaks and paddle boards
- •PFDs
- •paddles
Group Rental (16-19 people) Weekday
$250Duration: Up to 3 hours
Flat rate for groups of 16-19 people. All rentals must start at 5pm or earlier. Includes sales tax.
Group Rental (20-29 people) Weekday
$500Duration: Up to 3 hours
Flat rate for groups of 20-29 people. All rentals must start at 5pm or earlier. Includes sales tax.
Group Rental (30-40 people) Weekday
$750Duration: Up to 3 hours
Flat rate for groups of 30-40 people. All rentals must start at 5pm or earlier. Includes sales tax.
Individual Group Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekday
$50Duration: Up to 3 hours
Specific pricing for a single kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekdays.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFD
- •paddle
Individual Group Double Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekday
$66Duration: Up to 3 hours
Specific pricing for a double kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekdays.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
Individual Group Triple Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekday
$88Duration: Up to 3 hours
Specific pricing for a triple kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekdays.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
Individual Group SUP Rate (16+ people) Weekday
$50Duration: Up to 3 hours
Specific pricing for a SUP within a group of 16+ people on weekdays.
Includes:
- •SUP
- •PFD
- •paddle
Individual Group Single Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekend/Holiday
$65Duration: Up to 2.5 hours
Specific pricing for a single kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekends/holidays. Rentals must be returned before 12:30pm. Includes sales tax. 10am reservations only.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFD
- •paddle
Individual Group Double Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekend/Holiday
$85Duration: Up to 2.5 hours
Specific pricing for a double kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekends/holidays. Rentals must be returned before 12:30pm. Includes sales tax. 10am reservations only.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
Individual Group Triple Kayak Rate (16+ people) Weekend/Holiday
$115Duration: Up to 2.5 hours
Specific pricing for a triple kayak within a group of 16+ people on weekends/holidays. Rentals must be returned before 12:30pm. Includes sales tax. 10am reservations only.
Includes:
- •kayak
- •PFDs
- •paddles
Individual Group SUP Rate (16+ people) Weekend/Holiday
$65Duration: Up to 2.5 hours
Specific pricing for a SUP within a group of 16+ people on weekends/holidays. Rentals must be returned before 12:30pm. Includes sales tax. 10am reservations only.
Includes:
- •SUP
- •PFD
- •paddle
Yearly Rental Pass
$299Duration: 1 year
Pass for frequent paddlers. Valid for one, two, or three person kayak (up to 4 hours/day) or one SUP (up to 2 hours/day). Excludes July and August weekends for kayaks. SUPs available before 11am on weekends for max 2 hours. Non-transferable.
Includes:
- •rental kayak or SUP
- •PFD
- •paddle
Yearly Rental Pass Plus
$399Duration: 1 year
Yearly Rental Pass including July and August weekends. Can be added to an existing yearly pass.
Includes:
- •rental kayak or SUP
- •PFD
- •paddle
Kayak Storage (6 months)
$350Duration: 6 months
Storage for kayaks up to 19' L x 27" W, and paddleboards up to 30" W (diagonally).
Includes:
- •24/7 access
- •use of floating docks
- •restrooms/changing rooms during business hours
Kayak Storage (1 year)
$600Duration: 1 year
Storage for kayaks up to 19' L x 27" W, and paddleboards up to 30" W (diagonally).
Includes:
- •24/7 access
- •use of floating docks
- •restrooms/changing rooms during business hours
Drysuit Rental (Full Day)
$60Duration: Full day
Rental of Kokatat Gore-Tex front entry dry suit. Pick up and return by close the next day.
Includes:
- •dry suit
- •neoprene booties
Drysuit Rental (Weekend)
$95Duration: Weekend
Rental of Kokatat Gore-Tex front entry dry suit. Pick up Friday, return Sunday or next open day.
Includes:
- •dry suit
- •neoprene booties
Drysuit Rental (Additional Day)
$35Duration: per additional day
Cost for each additional day beyond a full day or weekend rental.
Includes:
- •dry suit
- •neoprene booties
Drysuit Rental (Week)
$195Duration: 1 week
Rental of Kokatat Gore-Tex front entry dry suit for a full week.
Includes:
- •dry suit
- •neoprene booties
Wetsuit Rental (24 Hours)
$20Duration: 24 hours
Rental of Farmer John or Jane style wetsuit.
Includes:
- •wetsuit
- •neoprene booties
Wetsuit Rental (Weekend)
$30Duration: Weekend
Rental of Farmer John or Jane style wetsuit for the weekend.
Includes:
- •wetsuit
- •neoprene booties
Wetsuit Rental (Week)
$50Duration: 1 week
Rental of Farmer John or Jane style wetsuit for a full week.
Includes:
- •wetsuit
- •neoprene booties
Public Launch Fee (Own Craft)
$7Duration: per craft
Fee to launch your own kayak or SUP from our private marina.
Seasonal Launch Pass
$50Duration: March through October
Seasonal pass for launching your own craft from our private marina.
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Used Kayak and Gear Sale
End of each season, typically Mid-September (list posted around Labor Day)
Prices will be posted around Labor Day
Opportunity to purchase used kayaks and gear.
🍎Food Policy
- • No alcohol or other drugs (can be kept cold for you).
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Wear a lifejacket (PFD) at all times.
- • Make eye contact with other boaters/sea planes and be aware.
- • Be able to find your way back from the water (use QR codes on equipment for navigation).
- • Kayaks are not allowed through the Ballard Locks.
- • Dress for the weather and wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.
- • On colder days, paddle jacket and/or wetsuit are available at no charge.
- • Mind the Sea Plane Zone: be cognizant of flashing buoys and paddle East or West to clear the area for planes.
- • Swimming from a kayak requires knowledge of re-entering the kayak from the water with a paddle float. SUPs are easier for re-entry.
- • Do not enter or leave the water by Gas Works Park.
- • Drysuit rentals require a $250 security deposit.
- • Wetsuit rentals require a $75 damage deposit.
- • If rented gear (drysuit/wetsuit) is damaged or lost, customer must pay for repair/replacement.
- • We reserve the right to stop renting if conditions on the lake are not suitable for beginners (at our discretion).
- • Rentals shut down if: sustained winds of 12mph+ (or 10mph+ for SUPs), gusts of 20mph+, lightning (minimum 30 min wait), or cold temps (below 40°F for most of the day).
- • Small craft advisory for Seattle area likely means no rentals.
📅Booking Policy
- • Reservations strongly recommended on sunny evenings, weekends, and holidays, and for parties of 5 or more.
- • Call ahead for no-charge reservations for small groups.
- • Last reservation of the day is 2 hours before close or sunset, whichever is earlier.
- • Walk-ins accepted most days & times.
- • All group reservations (9-40 people) must be made at least 24 hours ahead.
- • Groups of 20 or more need to be made at least 7 days prior to rental time.
- • Group rentals must be paid with a single credit card.
- • For group reservations, specify number and type of kayaks/SUPs needed.
- • Drysuit/wetsuit rentals require calling or stopping by to reserve.
- • A signed waiver is required from all persons paddling before rental leaves or docks.
- • One Driver's License or ID Card is held per rental group.
🚗Parking Information
- • Pay for Parking (Monday-Friday 9am-4pm). See parking page for more info.
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Detailed Insights
Rating Breakdown
Perfect for Age Groups
- • School age (7-12 years)
Best Times to Visit
- • Morning hours (less crowded)
- • Weekends can be busy
Most Mentioned Positives
Pricing Feedback
Good value mentioned (1 mentions)
Accessibility Features
Recent Reviews
Kumar Vaibhav
a year agoGood place to kayak. $23/hr will take that any day. Kayaks comes with foot paddle and that makes steering really convenient. SLU is always a great place to Kayak anyways - so if it's sunny it's a great time to come out here and kayak. Lovely folks at counter.
marshella sacks
3 years agoNew to Seattle area and needed a day to take a break from the stress of work. I am an amateur kayaker on very calm lakes and was a bit nervous about Lake Union at first but ended up spending close to three hours out on the water. The staff were super nice and very helpful. The lake can get choppy but it all went perfect. Cant wait to go out again!
David Air
a year agoMy favourite place to rent kayaks on lake Union - great service, fun kayaks (also one of the few places that rents triple kayaks if you need one). Even had some spare sunscreen that definitely saved my hide on the sunny day!
Jaren Keith
10 months agoGreat place to rent a kayak. Reasonably priced. Got there about 10 am on Saturday and it was perfect. Not a lot of people, free parking, lake was still fairly quiet.
Kate (Kate)
2 years agoBest summer activity in Seattle 🚣🏻 All of the staffs are helpful and friendly. You can buy everything you need: sunblock, waterproof phone pouch, etc. You can leave your valuables at the counter, ask the staff members. Took 1hr to go gasworks park and come back, and will have another 1hr to go the downtown side next time.