RURAL RIVERS
canoe - Kayak - Snowshoe
Rental Information
routes & rentals
Want to paddle Big Lake and The Sturgeon River? Just need to quickly pick up a boat? We currently have a few options available however certain routes depend on water levels throughout the Season in Sturgeon County & St. Albert.
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Starting and Finishing at Riel Recreation Park Boat Launch. Rental services will be available in the Spring of 2022. Our truck and trailer will be parked on weekends and weeknights depending on conditions! Follow us on social media for updates!
This Paddle Begins at our shop location in Sturgeon County and ends at Riel Recreation Park Boat Launch - Set Times throughout the week. Available Spring 2022 Depending on Conditions!
Includes a Bus Shuttle from Riel to Sturgeon County
BYOBoat available
Pick up & Transport a boat to the location of your choosing. Includes Lifejackets, Paddles, foam blocks/straps & a water safety kit.
Hourly, Daily and Weekend Rates ( by appointment only )
Assistance loading and unloading!
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locations
Pick-up Rentals ( By appointment only )
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Look for the Rural Rivers Sign just off of Meadowview Drive
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Back up to the Shop on the right
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Call 780-916-2274 if no-one is outside
-You CANNOT pick-up a boat from this location and access our boat launch, please see the Rural River Route for that option.
Riel Recreation Park & Rural River Route
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Free Parking Available
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Portable Washrooms on Site
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Rural River Route Customers should park in the gravel parking lot before the Kinsmen RV Park. Look for the River Bus! The Bus will then take the group to Sturgeon County.
age requirements
Every booking must be made in advance, if booking the same day please call for availability! We do not have kids kayaks available at this time.
People under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
People 16 and over can paddle their own adult kayak
Max 2 people per canoe plus 1 child (12 and under)
Waivers must be signed by everyone participating
Children under 12 ride for free, 1 per canoe & tandem kayak
Pets are allowed on Riel Rentals! PFD not included
We provide youth lifejackets at no extra cost!
transportation
School Bus transportation is provided for groups participating in St. Albert / Big Lake Shuttles.
Transportation has been factored into the pricing of the Rural River Route / Shuttle
Covid Cleaning Protocols after every trip
Plenty of Spacing on the Bus
Transportation to River Drop in Devon
Pick-up from Riel Recreation Park to the Sturgeon River - Rural River Route
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what to bring
All of our rentals come with paddles, life jackets, whistles & bilge pumps. Each canoe/kayak has limited storage space for additional items so a small dry bag is encouraged.
Water / Sunscreen / Bugspray / Hat / Sunglasses / Extra pair of clothes in case you get wet.
Sandals with straps are recommended, otherwise, shoes that you're not afraid to get muddy/wet will do the trick.
Small Cooler
Snacks / Lunch
Dry-Bag for Electronics
Garbage / Recycling Bag
special events
& group rentals
Please call or email if you wish to book a private paddling event, pricing options are available
Minimum 2 weeks notice prior to booking
We offer School Bus pick-up and drop-off
Up to 8 Kayaks, 2 Tandem Kayaks and 4 Canoes per booking
Maximum 20 People
Includes paddles, lifejackets, safety gear
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booking &
cancellation
Online Booking ends 24hrs before the set time, Walk-up rentals welcome at Riel Recreation Park just call first for availability.
Full-Day / Weekend / Week Rentals require a deposit.
Extreme Weather Conditions ( Such as lightning or Rain/Wind) will also apply for a full refund and a reschedule will be attempted
Any undesirable conditions experienced while renting do not apply for a full refund - this includes rain halfway through your trip
Alberta's weather is constantly changing so we will be in touch if anything occurs and are flexible with different situations.
No-shows will not be refunded
a few notes
A few things to keep in mind as we enjoy our waterways and help to preserve wildlife for generations to come.
Call 911 if someone is seriously injured or in danger while renting our equipment.
Please Stay off of Private Property along all routes.
Keep things secure to ensure no lost items
Your Vehicles are safe however Lock Vehicles in The Parking Area and don't leave any valuable items
The Sturgeon River is a lot stronger than it looks and the current may catch some by surprise.
Big Lake can also get quite deep and cold especially early in the season
All routes and the environment around them should be treated with respect
Big Lake and the surrounding wetlands are home to many different species of wildlife, Please no Littering!