Sacramento State Aquatic Center

Great spot for renting kayaks, paddleboards, etc. And get out on the lake. I have been here a handful of times. The process to rent equipment seems to get more complicated each time I go (note: I usually get out once or twice a year)...but don't let that deter you. Staff are very helpful and patient.I have even braved bringing my service dog with me and got her on a stand up paddleboard (SUP) with me. They do only allow service dogs, not just any dogs, so be aware of that.You rent by the hour and there are discounts for Sac State students and alumni.Oh also be sure to secure your items and/or bring dry bags. I got a little too bold and brought my bluetooth speaker with me on the SUP last time and just rested it on top...well I took a tumble and my speaker is now at the bottom of the lake :( I am so fortunate my phone didn't fall in as well. I was told that they do have a diver that goes out every so often to look for lost items, so I left a report with the front office and my number in case it is found (although I doubt it will even work at this point).Free parking if you are renting equipment and they do say no personal equipment allowed at that take out point. The location is also nice and easy to navigate to.

This is my favorite spot for kayaking in Sacramento, hands down! The process of renting equipment is straightforward - all details are listed clearly on their website. The staff who I've encountered have all been cheerful and friendly, even when it gets busy, which makes a 5-star experience for me!Parking is free for those who rent from the center. If you self-launch, there is an adjacent paid parking lot with plenty of parking. Highly recommend spending a day enjoying the sun & water at the Aquatic Center!

I visited Sac State Aquatic Center on Memorial Day and it was an amazing time. We arrived around 12:30 pm and it was packed (but not uncomfortably packed). Cars were lined up for parking all the way back to the freeway exit. With that being said, the line did not take long to get through. Staff was taking cash or card for parking, but definitely recommend bringing cash if you can. We didn't have to park too far but we had to do a little walking to get the the rental area. This spot had plenty of dogs, even jumping in the water. There were barbeques going, tents set up, music playing. AMAZING VIBES!We were looking to rent a kayak for a bit. Upon arrival, they had us sign waivers and anyone who wasn't a Sac State student had to create an ASI account online. The process didn't take too long (maybe around 10 minutes). Then we directed to wait in the line for rentals. This took about 20 minutes. Once we got the the window, the staff was super kind and gave us the low down of the process. Basically you choose what you would like to rent (paddleboard, kayak, etc.), they collect your ID and keys as collateral, wristband you, note the time that you left the window, and direct you to the life jackets. They charge about $15 per hour of rental. Students get a small discount. Even though it was a busy day, they still had plenty of kayaks left. The water was perfectly cold and clean. We ended up kayaking for about an hour. it can be tiring! It's also nice to just float in the water. Overall, the experience was well worth the money spent! I plan to make more visits here during the summer!

The Sac Aquatic Center was a great find. Prices are fair, considering the variety of kayak, rowing and paddling options available. single kayak: $15/hr tandem kayak for 2: $20/hr The view is stunning, especially with the backdrop of Nimbus Dam. During the weekdays you can also expect to see Sac State rowers practicing nearby, which adds to the vibrant atmosphere, but just gotta make sure to get out of their way when they're rowing across, but otherwise not an issue! Whether you're a beginner or seasoned paddler, this place is a must-visit for water fun!

So much fun, being outdoors, the calm, crisp water.The staff even kept a b day cake cold for me!

One of the most bureaucratic experiences I've ever had. First you have to create an account online for some reason. Then go to a different place to rent the stuff. You have to give your driver's license and car keys. You need to tell them who will be in which kayaks.They wouldn't let my friend go, because she didn't have her physical driver's license, even though she had the CA DMV app with the electronic driver's license. She wouldn't let my friends who were having a sleepover (4 and 6 years old) go because I wasn't their parent so I couldn't sign for them.We had to go to a _different_ desk inside for some reason, only to be sent back outside.On the return, I got to wait in a big line. And wait for minutes while the worker tapped on her computer. Only to send me to the inside office again for some reason. I just wanted to pay.Overall, I spent a similar amount of time dealing with the bureaucracy as I did actually out on the water. The kayak and the time on the water was lovely.

The aquatic center is a good place to spend a warm summer day. You can rent paddle boards, kayaks and other water equipment or bring your own and enjoy the beach side of the lake like we did. They have nice shaded structures to hangout when your not enjoying the water. It does have a bit of an industrial feel though so if you are someone who likes more secluded natural feeling river spots I might recommend somewhere else. All and all though its a great place to spend the day. The water is clear and cold and the tents are well kept. There are plenty of restrooms and free parking if you are willing to walk a couple minutes.

I've been here a handful of times to watch a rowing competition and to kayak.It's super easy to rent equipment here. You can rent a single kayak, tandem kayak, canoe, and other options. They have several price points including general public pricing, student pricing, and alumni/affiliate pricing. You can get back rests for an additional $1...not sure if it's an extra $1/hr or what, but it's so worth it. You'll find your back feeling sore if you don't get it. You'll have to sign some waivers. You do need to bring your ID for renters over 18 years old, and they also need 1 set of keys to hold onto, so make sure you get everything out of your car that you need before you hand the keys over. They do give you a 15 minute grace period to finally get your kayak and get onto the water. They have free life jackets for you to use.There is someone down at the kayak storage to help you board the kayak and you paddles. There is enough space for you to bring a small bag, but be careful not to get it wet or drop it! All the staff at the renting area, kayak storage/launch area, office were very friendly and helpful.General rules for the Aquatic Center...you have to return your stuff by 8 pm, and don't kayak to the damn, which is left of the kayak storage/launch area.I've generally been able to kayak for about 1.5-2 hours before getting tired...maybe if I took more time to rest in between bursts of paddling, I might stay longer on the water...so perhaps plan accordingly!Parking is free! This is a great activity to do during the summer!

Poor customer service, not a friendly staff. For being a college student at sac state I would expect for the perks they have but unfortunately they don't care for their students nor the experience in this place. Won't recommend to any college student at Sac state for the reason of not letting me rent out the kayak 2 hours before they closed.

My all time favorite place to kayak! Once you get across the lake and go through a tunnel, you get to float through the sloughs. The nature aspect was incredible - we saw lots of ducks, deer, fish, etc! Recommend getting there around 5 pm and enjoying the sunset - just have to be back at the dock by 8 pm. One of my favorite ways to spend a summer evening :)