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Best Places To Rent Outdoor Gear In Metro Detroit

Winter isn't the best season to gallivant around outside, but soon it will be the spring again and a great time for camping, hiking and other outdoor activities. Check this list for the best places to rent outdoor gear in the Metro area.
Argo-Gallup Park Canoe Liveries
3000 Fuller Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 662-9319
www.a2gov.org

This is actually two different businesses: the Argo Canoe Livery and also Gallup Park. You can rent kayaks and canoes at each location. The kayaks are in still water, and range from $18 (one-person kayak) to $22 (two-person kayak), with a two-person canoe being $22. Both locations are open during the summer, and then the Gallup Park location stays open through late October. Stand-up paddleboards are also available from Gallup ($18 for two hours), along with one-person kayaks ($14 for two hours), and it's open from 10 a.m. to dusk each day (last canoe rental is at 5 p.m.).

Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 E. Atwater St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 656-2453
www.wheelhousedetroit.com

On a beautiful summer day, there's nothing better than riding a bike along Detroit's riverfront, and you can rent a bike from Wheelhouse Detroit. Prices range from $15 to $28 (for a tandem bike), and the company also rents cruisers, sport/comfort hybrids, road bikes, adult tricycles and tandems. It has baby seats/trailers if necessary, as well, for an additional charge. Helmets and locks are complimentary. Wheelhouse also has a "weekday walk-in special." On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it's only $7.50 (half off) to rent a cruiser for two hours. The company also offers discounts for large groups (6 to 20 people), with advance notice and a deposit required.

Campus Martius Park
800 Woodward Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 962-0101
www.campusmartiuspark.org

There is one winter sport you can do in Detroit and that's ice skating at Campus Martius Park, in the middle of downtown. Admission is $7 for adults (ages 13-49), $6 for children (ages 12 and younger) and for seniors (ages 50+) and skate rental is $3. If you already own skates, a shoe check is available for $2, as well as skate sharpening for $5. Campus Martius does have group rates, but you must make your reservation at least one week in advance to receive the group discount; there is also a non-refundable deposit of $50 that's due one week prior to your date.

Related: Best Outdoor Gear Stores in Metro Detroit

Heavner Canoe & Kayak Rental
2775 Garden Rd.
Milford, MI 48381
(248) 685-2379
www.heavnercanoe.com

Heavner Canoe & Kayak Rental has a few locations, including four lakes and Kensington Metropark. The season runs from April 1 through October 31, although not all locations are still open during the fall months. Pricing ranges from $24 to $36, depending on the type of boat (canoe or kayak) as well as the pick-up site. A valid state park permit (Recreation Passport) is needed to get into the park.

Sun & Snow Sports
388 S. Main St.
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 927-0007
www.sunandsnow.com

Sun & Snow Sports is located in downtown Plymouth, and you can rent anything from kayaks, to skateboards, to skis and snowboards from the store. Kayaks range from $35 (daily fee) to $175 (weekly fee), longboard skateboards from $15 to $60, a GoPro helmet camera from $20 to $65 (to record your adventures) and paddleboards range from $40 to $60. Prices for skis, snowboards and snowshoes can be found in-store. Sun & Snow also has a store in Ann Arbor, on Stadium Boulevard, and has been described like "R.E.I." but with the feel of a smaller, family-owned shop.

Related: Best Outdoor Basketball Courts in Metro Detroit

Liz Parker is a freelance writer and a University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Creative Writing and Literature. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and yesnofilms.com.

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