Frequently Asked Questions

Owned and operated by The Woodlands Township Recreation Division, Riva Row Boat House is a premier watercraft rental facility located in The Woodlands Town Center. Opened in 2009, Riva Row Boat House was strategically designed to be accessible by a short walk from Town Green Park, Market Street and the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Located directly on the Lower Waterway, which connects to Lake Woodlands, this location offers a variety of rentals to entertain guests of all levels of experience.

Rental Options:

• Single Kayaks (1 seat)
• Tandem Kayaks (2 seats)
• Pedal Kayaks (1 seat)
• Stand-Up Paddleboards (1 person)
• Water Bikes (1 seat)
• Swan Pedal Boats (2-4 seats)

Location and Contact Info:

Riva Row Boat House is located at 2101 Riva Row, The Woodlands, TX 77380.

Parking: It is recommended to utilize the Green Lot on Riva Row for parking. Parking is free, however, during major events, the Boat House staff may email or contact you with additional parking recommendations.

Phone: 281-210-3965

Email: info@rivarowboathouse.com

Hours of Operation:

Riva Row Boat House operates based on seasonal and sunset schedules. Live rental availability may be viewed on the Riva Row Boat House page.

The Woodlands Boat House operations are closed on the following major holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The boat houses are open every day of the week for Conroe ISD’s Spring Break. During major weather events such as hurricanes or severe flooding, the boat houses may shut down.

Following the development of Hughes Landing off of Lake Woodlands Dr., the Lake’s Edge Boat House was constructed and opened to the public in 2016. Designed to be a compact, kiosk-style satellite location to the Riva Row Boat House, Lake’s Edge Boat House is perched directly on Lake Woodlands for easy paddling to any location on the body of water.

Rental Options:

• Single Kayaks (1 seat)
• Tandem Kayaks (2 seats)
• Stand-Up Paddleboards (1 person)
• Water Bikes (1 seat)

Location and Contact Info:

Lake’s Edge Boat House is located at 1970 Hughes Landing Blvd., The Woodlands, TX 77380.

Parking: It is recommended to utilize the Whole Foods lot for parking. Parking is free, however, during major events, the Boat House staff may email or contact you with additional parking recommendations.

Phone: 281-210-2065

Email: info@rivarowboathouse.com

Hours of Operation:

Lake’s Edge Boat House operates based on seasonal and sunset schedules. Live rental availability may be viewed on the Lake’s Edge Boat House page.

The Woodlands Boat House operations are closed on the following major holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The boat houses are open every day of the week for Conroe ISD’s Spring Break. During major weather events such as hurricanes or severe flooding, the boat houses may shut down.

Swans at the Mall was launched in 2022 to bring the fan-favorite Swan Pedal Boats of the Riva Row Boat House to The Woodlands Mall. Designed as a pop-up, satellite location to The Woodlands Boat House operations, Swans at the Mall offers an abbreviated (and discounted) Swan Boat experience for couples, families or groups looking for an exciting activity while they may be waiting for a table reservation at a nearby restaurant, or simply wanting to take a breath of fresh air and escape the hustle and bustle of the mall.

Rental Options:

• Swan Pedal Boats (2-4 seats)

Location and Contact Info:

Swans at the Mall is located at the Turning Basin by The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Chang’s at 1201 Lake Woodlands Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77380.

Phone: 346-831-9050

Email: info@rivarowboathouse.com

Hours of Operation:

Swans at the Mall operates based on seasonal and sunset schedules. Live rental availability may be viewed on the Mall Swans page.

The Woodlands Boat House operations are closed on the following major holidays: New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The boat houses are open every day of the week for Conroe ISD’s Spring Break. During major weather events such as hurricanes or severe flooding, the boat houses may shut down.

Age Requirements:

A child under the age of 10 must ride in a watercraft with someone older than 16 years of age. A child age 10 to 15 years may be in a watercraft on their own, but must have direct adult (18 years or older) supervision on the water. Minors 16 to 17 years of age may rent without direct supervision; however, a parent/legal guardian must sign their participating minor’s liability waiver, which may be done online in advance.

Height Requirements:

A child under 42 in. (~107 cm) tall may ride in an adult’s lap in the standard single and tandem kayaks only.

In order to ride a Water Bike, the participant’s leg length must be at least 30 in. (~76 cm) long to reach the pedals.

Maximum Weight Limits:

• Single Kayaks – 275lbs – Seats 1 person, or 1 person and one child under 42 in. (~107 cm).
• Tandem Kayaks – 500lbs – Seats 2 people, or 2 people and one child under 42 in. (~107 cm).
• Single Pedal Kayaks – 275lbs – Seats 1 person, no exceptions.
• Stand-Up Paddleboards – 220lbs – Fits 1 person, no exceptions.
• Water Bikes – 325lbs – Seats 1 person, no exceptions.
• Swan Boats – 700lbs – Seats 2-4 people. 4-person maximum, including small children. Not recommended for greater than 3 adults.

Health and medical conditions that should restrict participation are but are not limited to: any severe injury, heart conditions, or lung conditions. Participants should consult a physician prior to participating in this activity for any additional conditions that may limit or impair function and execution of one’s responsibility as an operator or be exacerbated by this activity.

Yes! All of our rentals are simple to operate, and our friendly staff will go over proper techniques if needed before you leave the dock. We recommended researching online to learn more about your rental choice if you would like in depth information.

Boat House staff will be present on the dock to verbally assist and encourage participants.  Staff may hold your watercraft steady for you while you are entering and exiting the watercraft.

Yes, pets are allowed to ride in the standard single and tandem kayaks only. If your pet does not comfortably fit in your lap, we recommend a tandem kayak so that your pet can have its own seat. Pets ride for no additional charge.

Pets are not allowed on other watercraft besides the standard kayaks. We recommend bringing pets to the boat houses during the cooler times of the year.

We recommend participants plan to arrive 10-15 minutes earlier than the reservation time. This will ensure you have enough time to find the boat house, check-in, complete any necessary paperwork and use the restrooms before your start time. Late or No-Show Policies apply, so be sure to give yourself enough time!

• Sign the Waiver – All participating individuals must have a waiver completed prior to boarding a watercraft. A parent/legal guardian must sign for all participating minors (under 18 years old).
• Bring Your ID – The individual whose name is on the booking must present a photo ID upon check in for the reservation. This ID will be held at the check in desk for the duration of the reservation.
• Check the Weather – Ensure you are dressed properly and have additional items that you may need to stay protected and hydrated, such as a jacket, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water, etc. (Remember, there is very little shade out on the water!)
• Dress Properly – Wear clothing that fits you well and that you are comfortable in. You will most likely get wet, so please keep that in mind. For any watercraft with moving parts (water bikes, swan boats and pedal kayaks) do not wear excessively loose clothing. Loose clothing may get caught in these moving parts.
• Use the Restroom – The restrooms for Riva Row Boat House are located at the front of Town Green Park. The restrooms for Lakes Edge Boat House are located in the parking garage to the northeast of the boat house. Both facilities do not have restrooms on site for customers to utilize.

Riva Row Boat House offers twelve small lockers, but customers must bring their own locks. Lakes Edge Boat House does not currently offer anywhere to store belongings. The Woodlands Township is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We recommend leaving large bags, purses or valuables locked securely off-site.

Most of the kayaks are large enough to hold small bags or coolers. The stand-up paddle boards do not have a space to store belongings. The swan boats and water bikes have limited storage.

Coolers are allowed, however, you may not leave your cooler at any of our locations. Coolers must be able to fit in your watercraft or left in your vehicle. Per park rules, glass bottles and alcohol of any kind are prohibited. The boat houses sell waters and Gatorade, but you are free to bring your own concessions.

Yes, all boat house facilities will provide all the equipment you need for your adventure on the water.

We have four sizes of lifejackets: 0-30 lbs., 30-50 lbs., 50-90 lbs., and 90 lbs. and up. If you have your own personal life jacket, it can be used provided it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. All participants must wear lifejackets at all times.

Yes! Please follow all Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations. Lake Woodlands is a catch and keep lake! The Boat House facilities do not rent or sell any fishing gear or issue fishing permits, so be sure to come prepared with any items and documentation you may need. No fishing is allowed in the upper waterway, or near the docks.

The Riva Row docks, along with all docks along the Lower Waterway, are private docks. Unless you are accompanying someone who is renting a watercraft from us, you may not utilize our docks to launch a personal watercraft. Please note: Our staff’s top priority is our customers. Staff may not be available to assist with a personal watercraft launch.

We usually recommend the public docks at Northshore Park, Southshore Park and The Cove to launch personal watercraft.

You are allowed anywhere on Lake Woodlands and the lower Woodlands Waterway. If you have to remove the watercraft from the water to access the place you want to go, you are attempting to leave the boundaries of the lake. Removing the watercraft from the body of water on which you began your adventure is strictly prohibited. Please refrain from attempting to paddle up Panther Branch Creek at the north-eastern end of Lake Woodlands.

No rented or personal watercraft of any kind are permitted in the Upper Waterway except our fleet of Swan Pedal Boats. Waterway access rules are enforced by Town Center Rangers.

No, the facility you rent from is the same facility you must return your equipment to (except during weather or medical emergencies). Remember, a photo ID is left as a deposit at the rental facility you visit, and all equipment must be returned in order to pick up your ID.

Reservations are not required but are strongly encouraged. Due to inventory restrictions, walk-up availability is not guaranteed (especially for Swan Boats) as reservations take priority. We suggest making a reservation as soon as you’ve made plans. The website will allow you to make reservations up until the day and time that you wish to reserve if space is available. Reservation slots are open months in advance for you to plan early.

No. Transferring of rented watercraft among people in a group is strictly prohibited.

Liability waivers are required by each participant who will be renting. Participants under 18 years old must have a liability waiver signed by a legal parent or guardian. We encourage participants to fill out all waivers prior to arrival to expedite the check in process.

When you make your reservation for Riva Row or Lake’s Edge Boat Houses, the option for a 1-hour and 2-hour reservation will be available to select unless you select a time within 2 hours of the facility closing. Mall Swans offers one reservation length for 30-minute rentals.

If you are more than 15 minutes late returning your rental(s), you will be charged FULL PRICE for a 1-hour rental of each watercraft in your reservation. Please be mindful during your reservation of the time you have remaining. After your reservation begins, we are unable to add additional time to the reservation. We must respect the other reservations, and being late affects our reservations for the rest of the day.

Cancelation or rescheduling may be done online, or requests may be made by calling 281-210-3965 or emailing info@rivarowboathouse.com. Customers are responsible for ensuring that the boat house receives the request. All requests for a Rain Check must be made by contacting Boat House staff.

Participants canceling 7 days or more prior to the reservation date will have the options to:

1. Reschedule the booking to a different available time,
2. Receive a Rain Check (a credit used to reschedule online at a later date within 365 days),
3. Receive a full monetary refund.

Participants canceling less than 7 days prior to the reservation date but prior to midnight (12:00 a.m.) on the date of the reservation will not be eligible for a monetary refund, but will still have the option to:

1. Reschedule the booking to a different available time,
2. Receive a Rain Check (a credit used to reschedule online at a later date within 365 days).

All reservations are FINAL on the date of the reservation and will not be eligible for reschedule, credit or refund.

Cancelations on behalf of The Woodlands Boat Houses

In the event our facilities need to close, any reservations will be notified and will be given the options to:

1. Reschedule the booking to a different available time,
2. Receive a Rain Check (a credit used to reschedule online at a later date within 365 days),
3. Receive a full monetary refund.

For standard reservations at the Riva Row and Lakes Edge Boat Houses, customers that have not checked in with less than 45 minutes of their reservation time remaining will be considered No-Shows. For 30-minute reservations at Swans at the Mall, or any Boat House Programs/Special Events, customers more than 10 minutes late will be considered No-Shows. To be respectful of other reservations throughout the day, reservation times may not be extended for any reason including late arrival.

No-Shows are not eligible for monetary refund, credit, rescheduling of the event, or any other reimbursement. The entire reservation cost will be forfeit. The No-Show Policy is applicable to all customers, including individuals within a group reservation.

We recommend that you plan on arriving 10-15 minutes earlier than your reservation time. This will ensure you have enough time to find the check in, buy concessions, and use the restroom before your start time so you get the most out of your adventure!

Visiting the boat houses is fun rain or shine, however, we will close for severe weather such as heavy rains, high winds and thunderstorms. The Woodlands Boat Houses use weather stations at each location to monitor weather conditions in real-time. The safety of our customers is paramount, and The Boat Houses will delay/cancel operation for at least 30 minutes following the occurrence of any of the following weather conditions:

• Sustained winds of 20 mph or greater (or gusts of 30 mph),
• Lightening is detected within a 12-mile radius from any of our locations,
• Thunder is heard or lightening is visible from any of our locations,
• A thunderstorm/severe weather is imminently approaching.

If you and your party are out on the water, seek shelter away from the water until the weather passes. In the event your adventure is cut short due to weather, reservations will have the options to:

1. Reschedule the booking to a different available time,
2. Receive a Rain Check (a credit used to reschedule online at a later date within 365 days).

During extreme weather events such as hurricanes, tropical storms, winter storms, floods, etc. the boat houses may close until further notice. A notification as well as updates of facility closure due to extreme weather will be posted on our website home page as well as our Instagram and Facebook page.

In the event our facilities need to close for any reason or cancel existing reservations, the reservations will be notified and will be given the options to:

1. Reschedule the booking to a different available time,
2. Receive a Rain Check (a credit used to reschedule online at a later date within 365 days),
3. Receive a full monetary refund.