This spring, Big Muddy Adventures (BMA) takes the helm of boat and bike rentals at Creve Coeur Lake Park, promising a seamless transition and proven expertise.

For those wanting to get their feet wet, the message is simple: Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards will be ready to go with no major changes to hours or on-water access. What’s new is BMA’s decades of experience running rentals and guided trips on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers — a track record of trusted operations that now comes to Creve Coeur.

“Creve Coeur Lake has become such an important community space thanks to Cheryl Beckmann’s vision, and her mission is deeply aligned with ours at Big Muddy Adventures and River City Outdoors,” says Natalie Rolwes, BMA’s director of communications. “We’re honored to carry that legacy forward and excited to build on the strong foundation she created — expanding access, adding new programming, and helping even more people connect with the outdoors.”

Bringing Creve Coeur to its portfolio strengthens BMA’s growing network of rentals across St. Louis. The outfitter has a long-standing presence at The Boathouse at Forest Park, where it offers paddleboats, kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and bikes in the city’s most iconic urban park.

BMA also operates at Simpson Park, a quiet, under-the-radar destination, and recently expanded with bike rentals on Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard near the foot of the Gateway Arch — further connecting visitors to the riverfront.

(Courtesy of Creve Coeur Lake Park)

“Each site has its own personality,” Rolwes says. “Creve Coeur is the region’s largest and most accessible natural lake, making it perfect for beginners and families, and anyone looking to spend a couple hours outside. It’s a perfect addition to what we’re already doing.”

BMA offers classes and events at other locations, including paddleboard yoga, ecology tours with wilderness educators, and discounted (or free) paddling for seniors and youth. Similar programming may come to Creve Coeur, potentially building on the lake’s existing water trail.

Visitors can expect the familiar rental gazebo and dock, scenic sand beach, and easy lake access. Behind the scenes, BMA’s team will ensure every outing — from solo paddle to family adventure — is backed by river-tested expertise.

Big Muddy Adventures at Creve Coeur Lake is slated to open on Friday, May 1. For more information, visit here.

Author: Brad Kovach is the publisher of Terrain.

Top image: Courtesy of Creve Coeur Lake Park.