Canoeing · Iowa
Canoeing in Iowa
6 outfitters across Iowa. Ratings, hours, contact details and a map for each, all in one place.
Named lakes and reservoirs
545
Rated 4.5+ on Google
3 of 6
Cities
6
Best season
Apr to Oct
At a glance
Highest rated on Google
Ranked by Google rating, then by number of reviews, across the 4 of 6 outfitters in Iowa with 10 or more Google reviews.
| Outfitter | City | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River Boat House operated by CanoeSport Outfitters | West Des Moines | 4.834 Google reviews |
| Linden Canoes & Kayaks Rentals & Shuttle Service | Linden | 4.614 Google reviews |
| CanoeSport Outfitters | Indianola | 4.446 Google reviews |
| River Basin Canoe & Kayak | Burlington | 4.328 Google reviews |
Operators
Canoeing operators
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Lakes
Lakes to canoe in Iowa
- Named lakes in Iowa
- 363
- Reservoirs
- 182
Largest by area
- Spirit Lake5,464 acres
- Saylorville Lake5,428 acres
- Lost Island Lake1,152 acres
- Trumbull Lake1,061 acres
- Silver Lake1,025 acres
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System.
Resources
More to explore in Canoeing
Hand-picked videos and free guides from the community to help you plan your next trip.
Videos worth watching
Hand-picked clips, sorted by what you do.
How to Canoe | 3 Key Strokes All Paddlers Should Know
PaddleTV
Learning To Paddle: Episode 1 Basic Canoe Paddle Strokes
Old Town
How to Develop Good Technique for Paddling a Canoe
PaddleTV
Golden Rules of Canoeing | How to Stay Safe on the Water
PaddleTV
How to Paddle a Canoe
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Canoe Paddle Strokes with Northern Tier
Northern Tier High Adventure
Guides worth reading
Trip briefs, prep checklists, and how-tos. Free to read.
Canoe Camping Trip Planning: A 5-Step Guide to Multi-Day River Trips
Jul 2026
How to Paddle Moving Water: Ferry, Eddy Turn & Peel Out Safely
Jul 2026
Whitewater Kayaking for Beginners: Class II-III Guide
Jul 2026
Best SUP Paddleboarding Spots: Lakes, Rivers & Coastal Destinations
Jul 2026
Free tools
