Wheel Fun Rentals | Bde Maka Ska
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Wheel Fun Rentals at Bde Maka Ska offers an accessible and fun way for families to explore the chain of lakes (e.g., paddling to Cedar Lake) by kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, especially suited for a relaxed 2-hour excursion.
Key Highlights
- ✓Easy and accessible rental process, accepting both card and cash payments.
- ✓Staff provides life jackets and offers assistance with getting on and off watercraft.
- ✓Warm and helpful staff who prioritize safety by operating only when wind conditions are favorable.
- ✓Variety of rental options including single kayaks, double kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards.
- ✓Opportunity to paddle a chain of lakes, allowing for a scenic and relaxed experience to destinations like Cedar Lake.
Standout Features
- ⭐Flexibility to rent watercraft for an hour or more.
- ⭐Staff assistance for safe embarking and disembarking.
- ⭐Proactive safety measures with closures during strong winds.
- ⭐Provision of essential safety equipment (life jackets).
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Crucial Tip**: Always call ahead to confirm operating hours and availability, especially towards the end of the season (e.g., late September) or on specific dates, as listed hours can be inaccurate and calls may go unanswered.
- →Do not rely solely on website information or on-site signage for current operational status.
- →If you require a dry bag for personal items, bring your own or be prepared to purchase one on-site, as they are not available for rent.
- →Be prepared to leave a form of ID with the rental staff as a deposit.
- →Do not expect to rent bikes at the Bde Maka Ska location, despite the business name and signage.
- →Consider renting for 2 hours to comfortably paddle the chain of lakes to Cedar Lake and back at a relaxed pace.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Unreliable operating hours: The venue was reported closed on 9/19/24 despite listed hours on the website and signage, with no one answering phone calls.
- ⚠Outdated and misleading signage: Signage indicated 'BIKE and Boat Rentals' and 'WHEEL Fun Rentals' but no bikes were available at the Bde Maka Ska location, with staff stating bikes get stolen easily.
- ⚠Equipment (kayaks, life jackets) is described as 'pretty old' and could benefit from replacement.
- ⚠Lack of immediate communication regarding unexpected closures or service changes.
Price & Value
Kayaks are approximately $24 per hour, with options to rent for an hour or more. Dry bags are not included in the rental and must be purchased. The equipment is noted as 'pretty old,' which might affect the perceived value for some customers.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Staff provides assistance with getting on and off watercraft, which may be beneficial for individuals with some mobility challenges. No other specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in the reviews.
🚗Parking Info
- •Not mentioned in the reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Not mentioned in the reviews. Review 1 suggests a 'relaxed pace' is achievable, implying it's not always overly crowded.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Life jackets are provided to all renters.
- •Staff takes precautions by closing operations when wind conditions are considered unsafe.
- •Staff stated that paddleboard leashes were not necessary due to the absence of strong currents in the lake.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting without confirming current operating hours, particularly outside of peak summer or in late season (e.g., mid-September onwards), due to reported unreliability.
- • Going if your primary intention is to rent bikes at this specific Bde Maka Ska location.
- • If you expect brand-new, top-of-the-line rental equipment; be prepared for older gear.
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
Group Boating Event (Weekdays Before Noon)
Varies by group sizeDuration: 2 hours
Host a custom private event, including boating activities like pedal boats and potentially a scavenger hunt. Includes time for loading/unloading, safety instructions, and fitting of life jackets. Minimum group size is 15 people.
Includes:
- •watercraft rental (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, SUPs, and more)
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
- •loading/unloading
- •scavenger hunt (for pedal boats)
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays Before Noon, 15-24 people)
$13.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a group event. Minimum 15 people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays Before Noon, 15-24 people)
$19.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a group event. Minimum 15 people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays Before Noon, 25-75 people)
$11.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a group event. For groups of 25-75 people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays Before Noon, 25-75 people)
$17.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a group event. For groups of 25-75 people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays Before Noon, 76+ people)
$9.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a large group event. For groups of 76+ people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays Before Noon, 76+ people)
$15.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a large group event. For groups of 76+ people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays After Noon, 15-24 people)
$15.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a group event. Minimum 15 people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays After Noon, 15-24 people)
$21.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a group event. Minimum 15 people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays After Noon, 25-75 people)
$13.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a group event. For groups of 25-75 people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays After Noon, 25-75 people)
$19.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a group event. For groups of 25-75 people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - Boats (Weekdays After Noon, 76+ people)
$11.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of boats (pedal boats, kayaks, canoes) for a large group event. For groups of 76+ people.
Includes:
- •boat rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Group Boating Event - SUPs (Weekdays After Noon, 76+ people)
$17.50 per personDuration: 2 hours
Rental of Stand Up Paddleboards for a large group event. For groups of 76+ people.
Includes:
- •SUP rental
- •life jackets
- •safety instructions
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Self-Guided Kayak Tour of BDE Maka Ska!
Available during operating hours
Not specified
Explore the Chain of Lakes for a full day of relaxation, fun, and adventure. Offers a chance to paddle around Bde Maka Ska or travel up the Chain Lakes, exploring rich history and wildlife. Suitable for solo or with a friend.
Birthday Parties & Private Events
Custom planning available
Varies by group size and time (see 'packages' for detailed pricing)
Customizable boating events for all ages and abilities, including birthday parties, family reunions, school reunions, team parties, and more. Features activities like pedal boat scavenger hunts and watercraft rentals. Events are 2 hours in duration and require a minimum group size of 15 people.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • All operating hours are weather-permitting.
- • The last rental goes out 1 hour prior to close.
- • Valid photo ID required for every rental.
- • Life jackets are included and fitted as part of boating event safety instructions (implied for all watercraft rentals).
📅Booking Policy
- • Minimum group size of 15 people for private events.
- • Contact (612) 799-8614 to plan custom private events.
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Gus Hirschboeck
8 months agoRental options include kayaks (single or double), canoes, and stand-up paddleboards. I would recommend renting for 2 hours to paddle the chain of lakes to Cedar Lake and back at a relaxed pace.
ILAKIYA
a year agoRenting a kayak, canoe, and paddle board is accessible and easy. You can pay with a card or cash. You need to leave your ID with them. You can rent for an hour or more. The dry bags are not for rent. You can buy them there, though. They give out life jackets, too. The paddle board doesn't have a leash attached to it. They claimed that it wasn't necessary as there weren't any currents in the lake. They help you get on and get off. It's a great summer activity and a lot of fun.
Kara Sigurdsen
7 months ago9/19/24: Closed today despite hours listed on the website. Arrived at 2:15pm especially to kayak. Called but no one answered. Lake Harriet location clearly states closed for the season, but that Bde Maka Ska is open until 9/29. Returned at 3:30 after walking to the lake Harriet location, still no one around. Signage is clearly out of date.
E Walker
9 months agoAs tourists, we turned up to rent a bike at Lake Bde Maka Ska but were told they didn't have any available except for a tandem due to the fact they get stolen easily. (An unfortunate sign of the current times). The nearby sign said 'BIKE and Boat Rentals' and with a name like 'WHEEL Fun Rentals', we were expecting bikes! We walked to the next closest lake, (Lake Harriet) and the Wheel Fun Rentals there had a few bikes, but they were all rented out. We hung around a while, but none came back, so we decided to simply walk instead of bike. Disappointing!
Mushir Ahmed Basheer
3 years agoWarm and helpful staff.. they rent canoe, kayak and pedal boats. Kayak is like 24$ per hour approximately.. the equipment and life jacket could be replaced. It’s pretty old. They take nice precaution and operate when the wind is less otherwise close. Must try place if you have not gone kayaking..