SPRING - SUMMER - FALL
Stop by SOKO Outfitters to rent kayaks or stand up paddleboards for around $40 (including a life jacket and paddle) and head to Cedar Lake, Prairie Park Fishery or hop in the Indian Creek at Thomas Park in Marion. The folks at SOKO can help you find the perfect spot to paddle!
Or head to Pinicon Ridge County Park where you can camp, fish and rent everything from a canoe to a frisbee for your day of fun. For up to $35, rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way around the park. Looking for a day trip? Pinicon Ridge County Park also offers a canoe shuttle! For around $30 a canoe (which holds two people), the rangers at Pinicon Ridge will shuttle you up river where you can float down the Wapsipinicon and enjoy the unique viewpoint of the river.
Love to bike? Learn more about the Cedar Rapids Bike Share program here.
WINTER
The outdoor fun doesn’t stop when the snow flies! Pinicon Ridge County Park, Indian Creek Nature Center and many of the city parks all groom trails for cross country skiing.
If skilling isn’t your thing, rent some snow shoes from Indian Creek Nature Center and explore the Nature Center grounds! Any time there is at least five inches of snow you can slip on a pair of their snowshoes and explore winter trails. No experience needed. Wear either winter or hiking boots. Feel free to bring hiking poles or ski poles; they are helpful but optional. Snowshoes must be used at the Nature Center only, and rental is for a whole morning or afternoon! SOKO Outfitters also offers snowshoes and SnowTrekkers (a cross between snowshoes and cross-country skis) if you want to explore one of the county parks. There’s no shortage of things to explore!
*Photos Courtesy of Liz Zabel.
