BOAT RENTALS

Rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards by the hour in Kananaskis!

Every day, we have six Canoes, four tandem kayaks, four single kayaks and seven paddleboards available for rental. All rentals include a life jacket, paddle, and safety kit! This equipment is for use at Barrier Lake, a beautiful lake just 15 minutes away from Kananaskis Village. The lake is 3.6 kilometres squared, perfect for an afternoon on the water with your friends and family. Enjoy cool waters, gorgeous views, and picnics on the shoreline when you rent a boat from Kananaskis Outfitters!

If you’re looking to rent boats to take outside of the Barrier Lake area, we suggest coming to our Kananaskis Village shop location! We have two canoes, four inflatable kayaks, and 10 stand-up paddleboards that can be reserved and taken to any lake!

In order to get the most out of your experience on Barrier Lake, we highly recommend taking a boat out for two to three hours. However, our boat rentals are completely flexible! We’ll mark down the time you leave with your rental and when you return and you’ll only be charged for the time you use. 

A credit card is necessary for a security deposit, and payment can be made with cash or credit card only.

Visit Us in Kananaskis

Explore New Adventures On the Water

Kananaskis County is well known for its glorious hiking and trail experiences, but enjoying the mountain range from the water is an entirely new experience! Enjoy exploring the lake and shorelines, hone your skills using your canoe, kayak, or stand up paddleboard, and create new adventures with your family and friends. Whether you’ve been out on the lake hundreds of times or you’ve never stepped foot off the shoreline, renting a boat or paddleboard with Kananaskis Outfitters will set you up for a fantastic new experience this summer!

Beauty and Wonder at Barrier Lake

Barrier Lake is filled with gorgeous scenery and new adventures. You can paddle down the lake to see secluded beaches and explore new areas. Around the lake you may find deer, bears, coyotes, and a variety of birds! The mountainscape is beautiful while on the lake, and you’ll feel like you’re in your own world as you paddle around this amazing landmark.

Looking for Something Different? Check Out Our Big Canoe Tour!

If you’d like to explore Barrier Lake while seated in a GIANT canoe, this tour is for you! Spend time in the mountains with a unique experience of being in a huge canoe that fits over nine people. You’ll be taken on an exploration of Barrier Lake to see the towering mountains and surrounding wildlife, plus you’ll have time to stretch your legs on shore and learn how to start a fire without any matches!

Learn More!

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  • Phone:

    +1-403-591-7000

  • E-Mail:
  • Address:

    1-279 Mt. Sparrowhawk Crescent,
    Kananaskis, AB, T0L 2H0

  • Current hours of operation :

    9:00AM - 5:00PM SUN-THUR

    9:00AM - 6:00PM FRI-SAT

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

© Kananaskis Outfitters. All rights reserved. Designed & Hosted by Avanti-ICT.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations or changes made to bookings more than 72 hours away: We will fully refund your purchase, less a $10 admin fee, onto the card that was used for payment. You can cancel your booking by calling 403-591-7000 or emailing info[at]kananaskisoutfitters.com . Please allow 3-5 business days for the refund to process.

Cancellations made 71- 12 hours of start time: No refunds will be provided, but we will provide a 50% credit to use towards a future booking. You can cancel your booking by calling 403-591-7000 or emailing info@kananaskisoutfitters.com

No shows: A booking is considered a no-show if we aren't notified about a booking cancellation at least 12 hours prior to the start of the booking. Arrive on time, as departures will be leaving on schedule. No refunds or credit will be given for no shows or late arrivals.

Should I tip my guide?

If you enjoyed your experience and would like to show your appreciation, our guides will be grateful.

Do I need a reservation?
While reservations are not necessary all the time, we do advise making them as we frequently book all of our gear out in a day. With a reservation, you will know that your gear is here waiting for you. Payment is taken in full when the reservation is made.
How do I rent gear?
Come into the shop and fill out waiver; we will then take a credit card imprint (Visa and Mastercard accepted) as a damage deposit until you return with the gear, at which point we will check it over and then you may pay for your rental with credit, debit or cash.
Do I need bear spray?
If you are going to be hiking, walking, biking, running, camping, or pretty much anything else outside in Kananaskis, you should definitely carry bear spray. We do. It's more effective than a gun, and doesn’t require a special permit to carry.
What kind of tours do you offer?
We offer hiking, mountain biking, stargazing, snowshoeing, canoeing (and voyageur canoeing) tours as well as XC ski and stand up paddleboard lessons.
Can I book a private tour?
Any of our activities can be booked for a private group. Click here for more information.
What if I have a big group?
We regularly host large corporate or family groups; we can book individual activities for you or we can plan out a full day or multi-day adventure. Click here for more information, or give us a call: +1-403-591-7000.
Are there trails near you?
On foot, you can access mountain biking, hiking, XC skiing and snowshoe trails from our shop (season dependant). If you want to drive, then the options in Kananaskis are endless.
How do I rent a canoe/kayak/SUP?
During peak Summer season, we offer lakeside rentals at Barrier Lake. Hourly rates are in effect when a staff memer is present. During this time boats can not be reserved they are rented on a first come first served basis.

During quieter times, the boats will still be located at Barrier Lake, however you will need to come to the shop to fill out waivers and pick up the safety gear. Gear will also need to be returned to the shop when you are finished. For self serve boat rentals, full day rental rates apply and reservations are possible.

Paddles, PFDs and safety kit are included in the rental rate. Should you need to transport a boat, tie down kits are also available.
Do you rent downhill or touring equipment?
No, sorry we just rent XC skis.

Nakiska is a great place to rent downhill ski stuff. Go to Gear Up in Canmore or MEC in Calgary for touring gear.
Can we take the gear that we rent somewhere else?
Yes, you may transport the gear elsewhere as long as you can do so safely. We have tie down kits available for boats. Ask about our multi-day prices.
When do you sell off your used rental gear?
At the end of every season, we sell off select gear. So in the Fall, we sell off bicycles, in the Spring we sell off fat bikes, XC skis, and snowshoes, etc. Want to know all the details and get notified when the sale is happening? Join our email list. Sign up on our home page.
Where can I buy groceries, firewood, propane, etc.?
Some groceries and camping supplies can be bought at the Mt. Kidd Campers Centre, or at Fortress Gas Station. Hours are seasonal, call before you go.
Where is the closest gas station/liquor?
Fortress Gas Station (20 km south on Highway 40) is the closest place for gas and liquor/beer, although offsale beer is also available at Woody’s Pub at the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis.
Are there lakes near you?
Yes; Barrier Lake is about a 15 minute drive north on Hwy 40 and is where we keep our boats for summer rental. There is also Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lake a 40 minute drive South on Highway 40 in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs must be on a leash at all times in Kananaskis; dogs are allowed on all trails except groomed cross country ski trails. If you are confident paddling with your dog you are welcome to do so at your own risk.

Dogs can be brought on tours only it all of the other participants on the tour are agreeable. We can not determine this until right before the tour departs.
What are the trails like?
Here is a link to Alberta Parks' trail conditions website.
What is the meaning of life?
We’re still trying to figure that out, but Kananaskis is a great place to look for it. No wait…it's 42.