Zilker Boat Rentals LLC

On Oct. 30, 2015 we were wiped out by floods on Barton Creek. We have completely rebuilt and are proud of our brand new facilities. We have 60 new canoes and 30 new SUPs. We rent canoes, kayaks and SUPs for $15 and hour. We cannot be seen from the street. Find a parking place in the easternmost parking lot and look for our banner 'Canoe Rental is Open.' Bring a picture ID. Cash only.
Established in 1969.
Zilker Park Boat Rentals was established in 1969, shortly after Howard Barnett drove across the Lamar Street bridge and noticed the beauty and serenity of Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake). He wanted to share that beauty with the town he loved, so he opened a canoe rental on the banks of a creek, just downstream from Barton Springs. He and his wife, Dorothy, and their four-year-old daughter rented out their nine canoes on weekends while Howard worked for the Texas Park and Wildlife Department. Together they built the business to the environmentally friendly and family oriented establishment that it is today. With over 100 canoes and kayaks and reasonable prices, Zilker Park Boat Rentals is the perfect place to bring friends and family to enjoy a relaxing outing on the water.
Howard and Dorothy Barnett met at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas, and married a few years later in 1965. Both graduated from the University of Texas, Howard with a BA in Journalism, and Dorothy with a BA and MA in English/Creative Writing.
They share their home with two Australian shepherds Babe (named after the sheep herding pig) and Pirate (he has only one eye). They have two daughters, Laura and Cory and three grandchildren, Reagan, Hudson and Paige.
Howard enjoys skiing and martial arts (2nd degree black belt in a traditional Korean style). He also owns golf clubs and pays green fees regularly, but to say that he 'plays' golf is an insult to a beautiful game. Howard has also been a smokejumper, a motor cross racer, a staff writer for the Texas Parks and Wildlife, and a freelance writer.
Dorothy is retired as Assistant Dean in the English Department at Austin Community College. She recently completed her MFA in Creative Writing from Pacific Lutheran University.