Lakes with Boat Rentals Raleigh NC | Where to Rent a Boat Raleigh NC

Raleigh NC Lakes with Boat Rentals and Boat Ramps

Where to Rent a Boat in Raleigh NC

Looking for the best place to rent a boat in the Raleigh area? There are several lakes in the Raleigh area where you can rent a boat, or bring your own. Raleigh NC boating lakes are generally open weekends starting in March/April and close again in October/November. Boat ramps are generally open year-round for public launching.

Lake Wheeler

6404 Lake Wheeler Road Raleigh, NC 27603

• Jonboats / Rowboats: $4/hour
• Canoes: $5/hour
• Kayaks (single/double): $5/hour
• Pedalboats: $6/half hour ; $8/hour
• Sunfish Sailboats: $10/hour

Lake Johnson

4601 Avent Ferry Road Raleigh, NC 27606

• Jonboats
  • $4/hour without motor
  • $20/day without motor
  • $10/hour with motor
  • $50/day with motor
• Pedal Boats
  • $6/half hour
  • $8/hour
• Canoes/Kayaks: $5/hour
• Sunfish Sailboats: $10/hour ($20 refundable deposit required)

Jordan Lake

280 State Park Road Apex, NC 27523

On-site boat rentals for Jordan Lake are available through the Crosswinds Marina. You can also bring your own boat to any of the 12 boat ramps at Jordan Lake. Other nearby locations rent canoes and kayaks.

• Crosswinds Marina Fishing Boat Rentals: 2 hours, half-day, or full-day. Cost varies for weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Crosswinds Marina Pontoon Boat Rentals: 2 hours, half-day, or full-day. Cost varies for weekdays, weekends, and holidays. 8 and 12 person boats are available.

Bond Park Lake

801 High House Road Cary, NC 27513

• Pedalboats (4 person): $6/half hour
• Rowboats: $5/hour
• Electric motor for rowboat: $9 per use
• Canoes/Kayaks: $5/hour
• Sunfish Sailboats: $11/hour

Lake Crabtree

1400 Aviation Parkway Morrisville, NC 27560

• Pedalboats: $7/hour 
• Rowboats $5/hour *Only electric motors are allowed at Lake Crabtree
• Canoes/Kayaks: $7/hour 
• Sunfish Sailboats: $10/hour  

Make sure to call ahead and check rental hours, weather conditions, age requirements, deposit requirements, and payment forms (some lakes only accept cash). 

Boat rental hours can vary more widely than park hours. Many lakes require boats to be off the lake certain amounts of time before sunset. 

Appropriate weather conditions are determined by measuring air and water temperatures. The combined total of the two must be more than 100 degrees. Wind conditions may also effect boat rentals.

The type of boat rental will determine the required age.

Several of these Raleigh NC lakes also offer sailing, orienteering, canoeing, and kayaking classes and training.

Click on the map below to view lake locations:

Some of the best places to live near these Raleigh area boating lakes include:

Angier, Apex, Bear Creek, Cary, Chapel Hill, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Hillsborough, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Lillington, Morrisville,  Pittsboro,  Raleigh, Rolesville, Sanford, Siler City, Silk Hope, Wake Forest, Wendell.