Self-serve gear rentals
Self-serve kayaks, paddleboards, camping kits and snowshoes at parks and campgrounds. Book online, get your lock code, go. No counter, no staff, no waiting.
01 — Locations
Madeline Island is closed for the season and returns May 1. Hidden Branch in Alabama opens in November with camping kits. Six more locations open in summer 2027.
02 — How It Works
Pick your gear, a day and a start time. Pay online in under a minute.
Your lock codes appear on your confirmation page and in your inbox. Walk to the locker and open your gear.
Paddle, camp or trek. When you're done, lock everything back up and send a photo of it locked. Paddling rentals include life jackets.
03 — Gear
Kayaks and paddleboards now. Camping kits this November. Snowshoes this winter. More gear and more seasons as new locations open.
04 — About
Madeline Adventures started at Big Bay Town Park on Madeline Island, Wisconsin. Every location is insured and run by us, and every rental comes with a signed waiver.
Maine, Massachusetts and Seattle open in summer 2027 — booked and unlocked the same way.
05 — Host a Location
We supply, insure and run everything — the lockers, the gear, bookings and every customer contact. Hosts receive a share of every rental.
Partner with us →06 — FAQ
Pick your gear and a duration on your location's page, then check out. Your lock codes appear on the confirmation page and arrive by email within a few minutes.
No. For paddling, if you've never been on the water, start with a sit-on-top kayak or a paddleboard — they're very stable, very forgiving, and easy to climb back onto if you fall off. Stay close to shore and pick a calm morning for your first time. Camping kits and snowshoes come ready to use at the locker.
At the locker or rack at your location. Your confirmation tells you exactly where and which code opens what. Every paddler gets a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket — wear it the whole time on the water. There is no lifeguard on duty.
Yes. You can move your date or time using the reschedule link in your confirmation email, or here. For a refund, reach out at least 48 hours before your start time — inside 48 hours, bookings aren't refundable, but you can still reschedule.
With an adult, yes. On the water, a small child can sit in front of a parent on a sit-on-top kayak, or on a paddleboard deck with a confident adult steering, for short, close-to-shore paddles. Life jackets are required for every paddler, kids included.
07 — Get in Touch
For day-of issues — lost lock codes, last-minute weather calls — call 715-913-7879. For everything else, the form on the right reaches our inbox, usually within a few hours during the season.