Paddle the pristine waters of Flathead Lake aboard a stable tandem kayak from Riverside Recreation. Perfect for beginners and families, their rentals offer a hassle-free way to spend a day on Montana’s largest natural lake.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels, including beginners and families; basic paddling stamina required.
Wildlife
History
Flathead Lake formed over 10,000 years ago through glacial activity and is integral to the Salish and Kootenai tribal nations’ heritage.
Conservation
Efforts in the area focus on maintaining water clarity and shoreline habitats, encouraging visitors to minimize pollution and respect native species.
Riverside Recreation
Paddle the pristine waters of Flathead Lake aboard a stable tandem kayak from Riverside Recreation. Perfect for beginners and families, their rentals offer a hassle-free way to spend a day on Montana’s largest natural lake.
Riverside Recreation is a Polson, Montana-based watercraft rental provider operating on Flathead Lake. The company offers a range of on-water experiences designed for families, groups, and individual adventurers. Rentals include runabout boats equipped for wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing; single and double kayaks; basic and premium pontoons; a 25' upper-deck slide pontoon; stand up paddleboards; and personal watercraft.
Riverside Recreation's runabout boats feature spacious swim decks and premium stereos and are suitable for exploring popular lake destinations such as Wild Horse Island. Single kayak rentals use 9 ft Spitfire kayaks offering stability, storage, and easy transport. Tandem options use the Lifetime Manta Tandem Kayak for shared paddling. Basic pontoon rentals are tri-toon designs offering roomy layouts and towing capability for water sports. Premium pontoons include Landau Atlantis or Signature models with 200+ HP outboards and seating for up to 12 passengers. The Upper Deck 25' Slide Pontoon fits up to 13 passengers and includes a sun deck and water slide.
Stand up paddleboards are available in hard plastic and inflatable models and can be launched onsite or transported to preferred launch points. Personal watercraft rentals use SeaDoo Sparks with flexible rental durations from one to eight hours. All offerings are centered on Flathead Lake access from Polson, providing direct lake access for cruising, watersports, and sightseeing. Riverside Recreation is featured on The Adventure Collective for its range of rentable watercraft and clear trip descriptions.
Location
Polson, MT
On Flathead Lake's southern shore
Trips Offered
8
Wide selection of watercraft rentals
Party Capacity
Up to 13
Large pontoons for groups and families
Rental Durations
1–8 hours
Flexible short and full-day options
Book boats, pontoons, kayaks, paddleboards, or SeaDoos for 1–8 hour rentals and start planning a memorable day on Flathead Lake.
Wear a life jacket at all times
Safety first—always keep a properly fitted PFD on while on the water, regardless of skill level.
Check weather before launching
Wind can whip up quickly on Flathead Lake, so monitor forecasts to avoid rough conditions.
Secure personal items
Use the kayak’s bungee cords to fasten phones, cameras, or snacks to prevent loss overboard.
Start near Polson for best access
Launching from Polson offers easy parking, rentals, and quick access to quiet shoreline coves.
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Crucial for safety, a well-fitted life jacket is mandatory for all paddlers.
Waterproof dry bag
Protects your valuables from splashes while keeping essentials handy.
summer
Layered clothing
Allows you to adapt to changing temperatures and winds on the lake.
spring
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
Prevents sunburn and glare during extended daylight hours on the water.
summer