Seven Oaks invites you to experience the beauty of the scenic Des Moines River Valley. On a quiet afternoon you will see animals on the riverbanks, birds flying overhead, wildflowers growing in the wooded bluffs and a bald eagle’s nest just past the Kate Shelly High Bridge.

Here’s how our full service Canoe/Kayak and River Tube rentals work:

Seven Oaks offers float trips seven days a week. Sunday through Friday we offer two floats, 10am and 12pm with an off the water time of 4pm. Saturday’s we offer four float times, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, and 2pm with an off the water time of 6pm.

• Please read the first timer summer visitor guide.
• We only offer the 2 pm Saturday float for river tubes when the river has adequate flow, call ahead (515-432-9457 ext. 300) to check river flow if you’re planning on this trip.
• Make a reservation with us online or by calling 515-432-9457 ext. 300.
• Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled float time so you can stop in the ticket office to get signed in. We’ll leave the parking lot at your scheduled launch time.
• You’ll be taken to the river by a Seven Oaks bus or van. We’ll explain your trip to you and answer any questions you might have. We do not float with you on your trip. You may be taken to the river with others but that doesn’t mean you need to float with them or even finish at the same time as them.
• We list approximate times that the float may take you, but you are welcome to stay out on the river until the “off the river time” which is 4 pm Sunday through Friday, and 6 pm Saturdays.
• We’ll be at the take-out boat ramp to pick you up and take you back to your vehicle at Seven Oaks.

Children are always welcome to join in on the FUN on one of our river floats. Our minimum ages are:
Canoe- 2 yrs and older
Kayak- 8 yrs and older
Tube- 5 years and older
Please note that our kids life jackets fit down to a child 30-50 lbs. It is up to you to monitor the ages in your group.

It is recommended that everyone is able to swim before taking one of our river floats.

Are there places to stop along the way?
It all depends on river height. Normally, there are plenty of sandbars to stop at. When the river gauge at Stratford shows a height of 5’-6’ there are a bunch of sandbars to stop at. At a height of 6’-8’ there are sandbars about every ½ mile to stop at. At a height of 8’-9’ there will be about 1 sandbar every mile or so. At a height of 9’-10.3’ there will not be any sandbars to stop at. We do not float above 10.3’ river height. PLEASE DO NOT LITTER!

Click here for the current river height. Please know that the river height is measured in feet at the location of the river gauge which is approximately 20 river miles to the north of where you will start your float. We normally run about 2’-3’ less than what the gauge shows.

Click HERE for more FAQ’s.

Canoe/Kayak Hours/Season

Open for River Activities: Mid-June – Late August – call for availability outside these dates.
Floats outside these season dates are subject to weather and at the discretion of Seven Oaks.

Off-the-river-time 4 pm Sunday through Friday; 6 pm Saturdays.

A late fee of $5 per person per quarter hour is charged after the designated “off the river” time.

Canoe/Kayak Rates (2024)

Add 7% sales tax to all rates.
Prices subject to change.

Amenities Provided
Floating rates include transporting watercraft, two paddles per canoe, one paddle per kayak, one personal flotation device per person and complimentary transportation.

Canoe Rates (Canoes hold up to 48-quart coolers)
$52/Canoe  (Capacity 700 lbs.)
Rates are based on 2 persons/canoe
Add $8 for 3rd & 4th person in canoe
Canoe Seat Cushion – $3 per day
Upgraded life jackets – $3 per day

One Person Kayak Rates (Kayaks hold up to 20-quart coolers)
$41/Kayak  (Capacity 300 lbs.) 
Upgraded life jackets – $3 per day

For group rate info and specials click here.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

A river float is a relaxing opportunity to enjoy nature, soak in the sun, play in the cool water and have some fun with family and friends. We have thousands of people that float safely with us every year, but you have to understand this is not the lazy river at a water park. This is a free-flowing river float with moving water and some inherent risks that can be avoided by using common sense. The primary risks you may encounter are log jams and downed/snagged trees…please stay clear of these obstacles. You will have plenty of time to avoid these obstacles down stream of you…please be aware of your surroundings at all times. You are responsible for yourself on this trip…please wear your life jackets.

Drinking alcohol increases your risks of drowning!

Canoe/Kayak Reservations

Before you make a reservation for one of our river floats please visit our First Time Summer Visitor Guide. This will help you plan for the trip.

To ensure that canoes and kayaks are available, and to help us provide the service you expect, we encourage and recommend reservations be made as far in advance as possible.

Once you submit an online reservation a Seven Oaks Representative will contact you within 24 to 48 hours to finalize your request. A credit card is required when making a reservation. Your card is only to hold your reservation and will not be charged unless you do not show up- please bring your card or cash when checking in. If plans need to be cancelled or numbers reduced, you must notify Seven Oaks a minimum of 5 days before the date of the planned float. Any changes within the 5 days will be charged in full and a credit certificate will be issued for you to use at a later date.

Floating on Sunday through Friday will typically offer more solitude and be a quieter, relaxing float experience. Saturdays are generally busier with groups and more of a party atmosphere. Taking the first float of the day will help avoid some of that.

Call 515-432-9457 x300 or make your canoe, kayak, or river tube reservation online.

Retail Items

Drinks, ice, candy bars, t-shirts, can koozies, wet/dry bags & other “oh, I forgot” items are available on site.

Canoe/Kayak Terms of Service

Canoes and kayak will not be rented to persons 15 years of age and younger without adult supervision. Persons aged 16 and 17 must have a parent/guardian indemnification signature on the rental agreement. The rental agreement must be signed onsite. All participants must also sign a Summer Activity Waiver. You may print the waiver to obtain required signatures prior to arrival.

Canoe/Kayak Policies

• We charge for all lost or damaged equipment. Damaged equipment caused by abuse or carelessness is your responsibility; we do expect normal wear and tear. Click HERE for more detailed information on our river fees & charges.
• A retrieval fee of $25.00 per hour will be charged for canoes and kayaks abandoned or lodged.
• A late fee of $5.00 per person per quarter hour is charged after the designated “off the river” time.
• Please wear sandals or shoes on your river float. Most of the river bottom is sand, but there are rocky sections where you will need something on your feet.
• Glass containers and Styrofoam not allowed on river floats. No kegs.
• Seven Oaks prohibits ropes/twine for tying together river tubes. If you wish to tie river tubes together, use pool noodles or other break-away connections only. Seven Oaks does not allow any canoes or kayaks to be tied together.

Seven Oaks Recreation Water Trail Rules

Respect Property and Others
Do not tamper with private or public property. Respect staff doing their jobs and others enjoying the water trail with you, whether in your group or not.

Be Safe
Seven Oaks strongly encourages that all floaters know how to swim before taking one of their river floats. River users are required to have a Personal Flotation Device in the boat. Actually wearing it greatly increases your chance of survival if you capsize. River levels change and conditions change constantly. Exit river during thunderstorms. Avoid hazards such as snags and ALWAYS portage at low-head dams.

Limit Alcohol Consumption
Intoxication on waterways leads to poor judgment and increased risk of drowning. This river is public property and subject to the governing laws. If you plan to drink alcohol on the river . . . please drink responsibly. Drinking alcohol increases your risks of drowning. Kegs are not allowed.

No Littering or Dumping
No glass containers or Styrofoam coolers allowed on float trips. Please protect and preserve the beauty of the Des Moines River by keeping it clean, do not litter. Leave NO trace. Volunteers work to keep this river clean.