Schmeeckle Reserve offers affordable outdoor gear rentals that can be used wherever your adventures lead. We offer a variety of paddling and winter recreation gear, including canoes, kayaks, snowshoes, and cross-country skis.
Group rates of 15% off are also available when 5 or more of the same items are rented together.
Drop-in Rentals
Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center during regular operating hours:
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For single day rentals, gear must be returned by the time the visitor center closes.
Reservations
Reservations for outdoor gear can be made in advance with at least two days notice. Gear pickup and drop off must be scheduled during the regular operating hours of the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center:
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To make your reservation request, use our online form by clicking below:
Looking to enjoy Schmeeckle Reserve from the water? Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle Lake Joanis! Several boats are available at the south shore launch for an easy and convenient paddling trip for one or more people. Just stop by the visitor center to pick up keys, paddles, and life jackets. Kid-sized life jackets are available. Items must be returned before the visitor center closes for the day. View sizing guide for paddles and PFDs.
$15 for first boat rented (return same day) | $10 for Friends members
$10 for each additional boat rented at the same time | $5 for Friends members
Off-Site Use
Canoe Packages
Durable fiberglass and polyethylene canoes are the perfect choice for one or two people in all types of water. Our inventory includes Old Town Canoes, Mad River Canoes, and Wenonah Canoes. Packages include paddles, life jackets, and foam pads and tie-down straps for attaching to a vehicle. View sizing guide for paddles and PFDs.
$30 for first day (same day return) | $25 for Friends members
$15 for each additional day | $12 for Friends members
$55 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $45 for Friends members
$90 for weekly rate (6 nights) | $75 for Friends members
Off-Site Use
Single Kayak Packages
Lightweight single kayaks are the perfect way to explore waterways. We offer recreational kayaks from Perception Kayaks and longer sea touring kayaks from Old Town. Packages include paddles, life jackets, and foam pads and tie-down straps for attaching to a vehicle. View sizing guide for paddles and PFDs.
$25 for first day (same day return) | $20 for Friends members
$12 for each additional day | $10 for Friends members
$45 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $35 for Friends members
$75 for weekly rate (6 nights) | $60 for Friends members
Off-Site Use
Tandem 2-person Kayak Package
Our tandem kayak from Perception Kayaks is a fun way for two people to enjoy the water. A slip-in child seat is available for this kayak, allowing a little one to join in the fun. The package includes paddles, life jackets, and foam pads and tie-down straps for attaching to a vehicle. Only one tandem kayak is available for rent. View sizing guide for paddles and PFDs.
$30 for first day (same day return) | $25 for Friends members
$15 for each additional day | $12 for Friends members
$55 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $45 for Friends members
$90 for weekly rate (6 nights) | $75 for Friends members
Off-Site Use
Canoe/Kayak Trailer
For larger groups, we offer a canoe/kayak trailer that can haul up to 8 canoes and/or kayaks at a time. A cargo box in the middle of the trailer is a perfect storage space for paddles, life jackets, and other items. The trailer hooks up to a standard 2-inch ball hitch and requires a four-pin flat connector for its lights. The trailer comes with rubber straps to secure the boats. Canoes and kayaks are rented separately.
$40 for first day (same day return) | $33 for Friends members
$20 for each additional day | $17 for Friends members
$70 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $58 for Friends members
$120 for weekly rate (6 nights) | $100 for Friends members
Winter Sports
In Schmeeckle or Off-Site Use
Snowshoes
Our inventory of durable snowshoes includes those made by Tubbs, Yukon Charlie, Atlas, and Northern Lites. Snowshoes are sized based on the total weight of the user and their gear. Small sizes are for weights up to 175 pounds, medium sizes are up to 200 pounds, and large sizes are up to 250 pounds.
$10 for first day (same day return) | $7 for Friends members
$5 for each additional day | $4 for Friends members
$20 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $14 for Friends members
In Schmeeckle or Off-Site Use
Cross-Country Ski Packages
Our cross-country ski packages include high-quality Salomon or Atomic classic skis sized at 182-206 cm, poles sized at 130-160 cm, and ski boots sized at 36-50 EU (U.S. Men’s 4.5-15 and U.S. Women’s 5-13). View ski and boot sizing recommendations.
Note: While skiiers are welcome in Schmeeckle, the trails are not groomed for skiing. They are heavily used for winter hiking and snowshoeing. The closest groomed trail system is the Plover River Trail, located 3 miles northeast on Highway 66. A more extensive and challenging trail system can be found at Standing Rocks County Park, about a 20 minute drive southeast.
$15 for first day (same day return) | $12 for Friends members
$7 for each additional day | $6 for Friends members
$30 for weekend rate (Friday-Monday) | $24 for Friends members
Free Fishing Gear Rentals
Schmeeckle Reserve is the first site in Portage County to be a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tackle loaner site. You can borrow fishing equipment free for up to one week to use on Lake Joanis or anywhere else. We have traditional, fly, and ice fishing rods, tackle boxes, fly-tying guides, ice tip-ups, and an ice auger.
Anglers aged 16 or older must have a valid Wisconsin fishing license to fish in the state.
Stop by the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center and talk to our front desk staff to check out the fishing gear!
