Cool Down at Kensington on Kent Lake

What better way is there to spend a hot July day than out splashing around on the water? At Kensington Metropark, boat rentals offer Brighton residents a fun, cheap way to cool down.

Kensington’s boat rental offers a few different types of vessels to fit you and your family’s needs. One and two person kayaks, as well as rowboats, canoes and paddle boats can be rented by the hour. The park requires that all rentals are pre-paid, however if you return your boat early, some of your money will be returned.

Life jackets are provided at the rental area as the park requires them to be worn at all times when out on the water.

Checks and credit cards are not excepted at the boat rental, cash only. A $20 deposit and a drivers license are required for rentals. Feel free to bring an outboard motor if you are planning on renting a rowboat, though a maximum of six horsepower is allowed on a 12-foot boat, and 10 horsepower on a 14-foot boat. The park does not offer outboard motor rentals.

Once you have the boat rental sorted out, you are ready to make a splash and can launch from the beach on site. Kent lake measures 8.5 miles around and offers a plethora of coves and inlets to explore.  

The , which are part of a program the park is involved in to help repopulate southern Michigan with the now-endangered birds, makes a great destination to paddle to. There are several nests in the middle of the lake, elevated by tall metal tripods. The best way to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures is by boat.

You can also expect to see many varieties of fish in the water, as visibility in the lake is very clear at the moment. If you bring a fishing pole along, expect to catch large and small mouth bass, pike, carp, possibly some black crappie, yellow perch and a variety of sunfish.  

Swans and their chicks like to nest on the various islands that litter Kent lake, with encounters being a common occurrence. Make sure to give them their space though, as like any parents, the swans are very protective of their young.

Splashing around on Kent Lake is a great way to enjoy the summer, and for less than ten dollars you and your family can get outside, enjoy nature and cool down on a hot day when the pool is probably too crowded anyways.

Boat Rental Rates

$7/hour- One person kayak

$8/hour- Two person kayak

$7/hour- Canoe

$12/hour- Paddle boat

$6/hour- Rowboat