Located in Bald Eagle State Park, Boats and Bikes is a simple shop with one goal in mind: helping…read moreyou enjoy a day on the water. Specifically, the shop is there to help you enjoy Joseph Sayers Lake, the scenic lake in Bald Eagle.
This place rents out a variety of boats to park goers, from canoes and kayaks to pontoon boats and jet skis. Also, you can rent for short and long periods of time alike - anywhere from an hour to all day, according to their website. The website also mentions that they offer an on-lake fuel dock with non-ethanol fuel, fishing and boating supplies, live bait, snacks, drinks, ice, and camping supplies. Like I said: they're here to help you enjoy your time on the water!
Reservations aren't required, but are recommended - but also aren't available for each type of boat. I know this because prior to my visit, I learned that canoes and kayaks are first come, first serve. Not a big deal, but still something to be aware of, and admittedly weird since you can reserve a paddle board...just, not canoes or kayaks?
When I visited, a relative and I opted to enjoy three hours of kayaking on the water. A few other groups went for the pontoon boats, and we also shared the water with folks who clearly owned their own boats and were using approved launch points to join in the fun.
Our visit was pretty straight-forward; we paid, got outfitted with life vests and paddles, and got some help launching ourselves after we asked for it. Coming back in was admittedly less fun since the very busy staff didn't come help to pull in our kayaks; we managed by ourselves but it took a bit of coordination and teamwork since a kayak that's half in, half out of the water isn't particularly stable.
We also admittedly dodged some groups of people on land because not every other guest remembered that masks are necessary outdoors in 2020, too; still, the good news about being outside is that it's at least easier to keep your distance. And the staff did mask up at all times, so at least being inside when checking in and out wasn't overly stressful.
Boats & Bikes is exactly what it sounds like and I definitely appreciate their set-up, which made it easy to enjoy time on the lake in this beautiful state park. I would definitely come here again and take advantage of the different boat rental options during future visits to the area.