Two Locations, Two Different Paddling Situations
Kayak rental in Perryopolis for river shuttle trips and open daily lake sessions through the summer season
A kayak rental that fits a moving-water river trip operates differently than one set up for a state park lake—and Hazelbaker Recreational Services runs both. The Perryopolis river location uses a scheduled upstream-drop model built around the Youghiogheny's current: you get transported upstream, launch at a fixed put-in, and paddle the downstream return on your own. The Somerset lake location at Laurel Hill State Park operates as a daily concession, open first-come, first-served from 10am to 5pm without any advance reservation requirement. Knowing which venue fits your plans before you arrive saves time and sets accurate expectations for both trip length and booking requirements.
At the river location, kayak rentals follow the same departure schedule as canoe trips: weekdays at 9am, 11am, and noon; weekends at 8am, 9am, 11am, and noon. Payment is collected in full at booking, and liability waivers carry over from season to season for returning paddlers who have already completed a trip. The lake location in Somerset runs from the week before Memorial Day through Labor Day, seven days a week, with no reservation needed—you pay at the time of rental and launch the same day.
To confirm availability at either location before your visit, check the Hazelbaker Recreational Services website or call to ask about open slots at your preferred venue.
What Sets River Kayaking Apart from Lake Sessions
River kayaking on the Youghiogheny through the Perryopolis stretch involves moving water with a consistent directional pull—the downstream return is not just convenient, it is structurally necessary given the current. Every river rental includes the upstream van shuttle to the fixed put-in, meaning paddlers do not choose their starting distance from the take-out; the route is set. That structure is useful for first-time river paddlers because it removes an otherwise common planning error: launching too far downstream and running out of usable water before reaching the take-out.
Lake kayaking at the Somerset location offers flat water with no directional pull, which changes how a paddling session unfolds entirely. Paddlers can go at any pace, stop anywhere on the lake, and return to the dock whenever they choose within the operating window. After a lake session, you will notice that the experience is more exploratory and less structured than the river trip—there is no fixed endpoint drawing you forward. Hazelbaker Recreational Services holds a state park concession license at the lake location, which means equipment standards and safety protocols meet state park requirements.
Both locations follow the same foundational operating model that has run for 46 years: liability forms, self-guided paddling, and no guide required once you are on the water. What differs is the booking structure, the water conditions, and the physical setup of each trip.
Answers About How Kayak Rentals Work
The following questions address the mechanics of both kayak rental venues—what the paddling experience involves, how each location handles bookings, and what to expect when you arrive.
How does the upstream shuttle work for river kayak trips?
After signing the liability form, you load your kayak into the transport van for a drive to the fixed put-in point upstream of the Perryopolis facility. From there, you paddle the downstream return on your own, ending at the take-out near the Hazelbaker facility.
What is the difference between booking a river trip and showing up at the lake location?
River trips at Perryopolis require advance booking and full payment, since departure times are fixed and van capacity is allocated per window. The Somerset lake location is first-come, first-served with no reservation—you pay when you arrive and launch the same day.
What experience level is the river trip suited for?
The downstream river route on the Youghiogheny is self-guided and does not involve technical whitewater navigation. Paddlers comfortable with basic directional control in a kayak can complete the trip. The fixed put-in and consistent downstream pull give the trip a clear, manageable structure.
How does the lake location handle busy days when equipment is in demand?
Because the Somerset location operates first-come, first-served, arriving earlier in the 10am to 5pm window gives you the best access to available kayaks. There is no reservation system at the lake location, so equipment availability is not guaranteed ahead of arrival.
What should a paddler check after completing a river trip to confirm they finished at the right take-out?
The take-out for Youghiogheny river trips is at the Hazelbaker Recreational Services facility in Perryopolis. Because the put-in and take-out are fixed for all trips, there is no route variation that would bring you to a different landing point.
Hazelbaker Recreational Services operates across two venues with 46 years of paddling experience behind the booking model. With over 5,400 Facebook followers and more than 200 Google reviews, the operation has a documented track record at both locations. Hazelbaker Recreational Services also offers kayak rental in Somerset. To plan your trip at either venue, visit the website or call before your intended date.