Kayaking & Canoeing
We’re bringing our own boats—and Lake Lincoln is made for a calm family paddle.
Table of Contents
- Lake Lincoln — Our Home Water
- Rivers — For the More Adventurous
- Safety — Non-Negotiables
- A Good Family Paddle Plan
- Gear Check (bringing our own)
Lake Lincoln — Our Home Water
The 55-acre Lake Lincoln is the easiest, safest paddling for the whole group:
- Electric motors only—no gas boats, so the water stays flat and quiet.
- Calm, contained, and easy to keep an eye on kids.
- Launch near the beach/day-use area and paddle the shoreline, watching for turtles, herons, and fish rising at dawn and dusk.
- Best paddling: early morning (glassy water, cooler air) and evening.
Great for tandem paddling with younger kids, beginner solo paddling for the 8+ crowd, and a relaxed float-and-fish for adults.
Rivers — For the More Adventurous
When water levels cooperate:
- The Cuivre River offers some of the area’s better float-paddling—canoe, kayak, or tube through quiet, scenic stretches.
- Big Sugar Creek (a state natural area) is clear and rocky—better for wading and exploring than a long float, but beautiful.
River levels swing with the weather. After rain, creeks rise and speed up fast. Always check current conditions at the park office (636-528-7247) before a river float, and skip it if water is high, fast, or muddy.
Safety — Non-Negotiables
- PFDs (life jackets) on every kid, every time on the water. One that fits each child.
- Adults wear them too—model it for the kids.
- Off the water at the first thunder. Lightning = everyone out.
- Sun is brutal on the water: hats, SPF 50+, long-sleeve sun shirts, reapply.
- Tell someone your float plan and expected return.
- Clip a dry bag with phone/keys to the boat.
A Good Family Paddle Plan
- Morning glass-out (8–10 a.m.): put in at the lake, paddle the shoreline loop, let kids spot wildlife, race back to the beach.
- Paddle-and-fish: drift the shoreline casting for bluegill and bass (see Fishing).
- Beach finish: pull up at the swim beach and cool off (see Swimming & the Beach).
Gear Check (bringing our own)
- Kayaks/canoes + correctly sized paddles
- PFDs for everyone (kid sizes!)
- Dry bag, bailer/sponge, whistle on each PFD
- Water shoes (rocky put-ins), sun shirt, hat
- A tow rope and a spare paddle for the group
- Cart/straps for moving boats from camp to water