Looking for more places to use your kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board? Here in Red Deer’s Backyard you will find wonderful lakes, rivers and ponds all waiting for you to explore. The Red Deer River is a great place to go paddling, with several access locations, from the A-Soo-Wuh-Um Day use area by the Penhold Bridge to Content Bridge east of the city.
Looking to test out some watercrafts before investing in your own? Then check out places like Mountain Surf Co, they offer paddle board rentals, lessons, tours and meet-up opportunities for all levels from beginners to the paddle board enthusiast. Steadfast Rentals carries a supply of canoes and kayaks to rent, to help you test the waters.
Find various launch points located along the Red Deer River online with the City of Red Deer’s Boat and Canoe Launches information. For those who are looking for a longer adventure check out Paddle Alberta, for route options. The water levels and conditions do change frequently so please be aware and be prepared by checking the river status before your trip.
In Red Deer, several ponds are available for you to launch and enjoy. Three Mile Bend and Mitchell Pond at Heritage Ranch can be accessed by foot, and Bower Ponds allows you to bring your canoe or kayak (however no inflatables are allowed, only hard bottom are permitted).
Also, please be courteous and rinse off the bottom of your craft before putting them into any of the ponds, this helps to avoid contamination of these waterways. If you haven’t your own Bower Ponds Recreation rents kayaks, canoes and paddle boats.
Sylvan Lake boasts an expansive natural spring-fed lake, with two boat launches for your canoes and kayaks at the Marina and Sun Breaker Cove. You can also start from the small beach area at Lakefront Park.
If you are seeking out a rental, then Sun Sport Recreation has many options to choose from. They rent kayaks as well as paddle boats and have a selection of Speed Boats, Seadoos and Pontoon Boat rentals, everything you need for a day on the water.
Gull Lake is a flatwater lake with public access for launching your watercraft from Aspen Beach Provincial Park. Enjoy the large sandy beach and boat launch from Ebeling Day Use Area, but note that the Lakeview Campground boat launch is suitable for small vessels only.
Gleniffer Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area is another wonderful place to bring your kayak or canoe for some summer water activity. There are several boat launches around the lake, two can be found in the day-use area and at each of the campgrounds.
Lacombe Lake is an overlooked gem in the region and is only 15 minutes from Red Deer, the perfect choice for a 1-3 hour paddle.
Buffalo Lake is one of the largest lakes in Central Alberta and intersects between Camrose County, the County of Stettler and Lacombe County. It makes up The Narrows Provincial Recreation Area, Rochon Sands Provincial Park and Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area offering ways for you to get out for a paddle any time of day.
Pine Lake is a long narrow lake set in a wooded valley 35 km southeast of Red Deer. You can launch your canoe or kayak at the Taunton Hills Day Use Area
Take a drive out to Alix where you can launch in either Alix Lake located right in town or Haunted Lake right next to the golf club.
Dodds Lake in Innisfail offers an array of amenities and a great opportunity to view wildlife as you enjoy a day of paddling.
If you trek west to David Thompson Country you will find plenty of lakes and rivers for setting in your canoe or kayak including Crimson, Cow and Phyllis Lake.
@TourismRedDeer would love to hear about your favourite places to paddle, tag us on social media as you #explorereddeersbackyard as we #getoutofthegrey and #experiencethecolours of central Alberta.
