At the Outdoor Rental Center UI students, faculty, and staff, as well as community members can rent a variety of outdoor equipment for a day, up to a week. We have everything you need for a week-long camping trip, canoe or kayak trip, and equipment to help you enjoy the outdoors, no matter the season. 

 

Rental rates

Water Equipment Daily Weekend Week
Canoe* $25 $40 $75
Sea kayak (tandem)* $25 $50 $100
Sea kayak (single)* $20 $40 $75
Stand up paddle board $20 $40 $75
Paddling jacket $5 $10 $20
Dry bag m (22L) 1 $1 $3 $5
Canoe trailer (contact Asst. Dir.) $75 $150 $200
Wetsuits $3 $5 $10

*Includes paddles, PFD's (life jackets), & spray skirt

Camping Equipment Daily Weekend Week
1-person tent $10 $20 $40
2-person tent    $15 $30 $50
4-person tent $20 $40 $75
6-person tent $30 $50 $80
Sleeping bag (-15 degree) $20 $40 $80
Sleeping bag (20 degree) $15 $30 $60
Sleeping bag (45 degree) $10 $20 $40
Sleeping pad $1 $3 $5
Backpacks $10 $20 $40
Stove (1 burner) backpacking $5 $10 $20
Stove (2 burner) car camping $5 $10 $20
Cook set (4 person) $5 $10 $20
Cook set (1-2 person) $3 $6 $12
Large pan $1 $3 $5
Medium cooler $3 $5 $10
10 L dromedary $3 $5 $10
Water jugs $3 $5 $10
Water filter $5 $10 $20

Bicycle Equipment Daily Weekend Week
Road bicycle** $20 $40 $80
Mountain bicycle** $20 $40 $80
Bicycle helmet $1 $3 $5
Bicycle bob trailer $5 $10 $15

**Includes bicycle helmet

Snow Equipment Daily Weekend Week
Snowshoes $15 $30 $60
Cross-country skis $15 $30 $60

Yard Games Daily Weekend
Dodgeballs $15 $25
Giant connect4 $15 $25
Giant jenga $10 $20
Kan jam $20 $30
Kubb $10 $20
Ladder Golf $20 $30
Spikeball $20 $30

 

Location information:

Address:

2820 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246

Phone:

319-384-1225

Equipment Rental Request Form

Policies

Individuals interested in renting equipment should complete an online rental request form.  Reservations requests must be made at least three business days in advance of requested rental dates.  Please note completion of this form does not guarantee that the equipment is available.  Recreational Services staff will follow up with you via email to confirm the reservation.  If equipment is not available, other options may be offered as an alternative.

Equipment rentals will be picked up and returned during Outdoor Rental Center (ORC) business hours or through a scheduled appointment.  Yard games will be picked up and returned at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center during business hours. 

Reservations are available on a first come first served basis and can be made up to 30 days prior to rental dates. No rain checks will be issued.

Rentals can also be done on-sight during Outdoor Rental Center business hours. Equipment is available on a first come first serve basis for both reservations and in person rentals.  

All individuals must be 18 years of age and present a photo ID upon pick up.

Renters can cancel a reservation at any time.  If cancelled within 48 hours of reservation or if the renter is a no show, renters will be charged for the total cost of the equipment rental if cancelled less than 48 hours.

Cancellation fees will be applied to UBill’s when applicable.  Credit cards will be charged for non-university renters.

Cancellations must be made by telephone, in person during open hours, or via email david-patton@uiowa.edu.

Refunds will be issued only to the person reserving/paying for the equipment.  There are no cash refunds.   Refunds to credit cards and checks issued can take up to 8 weeks to process.

After confirming equipment is available, Recreational Services staff will send out a confirmation email.  The email will include date(s), time when equipment can be picked up, and location.  Depending on the equipment, the location and time of pick up may vary.  

Renters are required to provide a payment method at the time of reservation for rentals. Payment of the total rental fee is required at the time of pick-up.  By providing credit card information and reserving and/or taking the equipment, renters authorize the university of Iowa to charge any fees, and other amounts due from the reservations and/or rental of the equipment.

Renters should test all equipment before leaving to ensure everything is in working order.  It is the renter’s responsibility to check all equipment for damage or missing parts prior to leaving. 

If for some reason Recreational Services cannot provide equipment reserved by the renter, the renter can receive a coupon for an equal valued rental at a future date or a full refund. The University of Iowa shall have no further liability for failure to provide equipment on the reserved date. 

Reserved equipment not picked up on the reserved rental date will be checked out on a first come, first served basis on the following day.  

Renters must sign a Rental Contract prior to checking out the equipment. 

Yard games will be picked up at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center during the hours of 8am - 4pm Monday - Friday. 

All other equipment will be picked up at the Outdoor Rental Center located in the Hawkeye Tennis at Recreation Complex during the hours of 4pm-7pm Friday, Sunday, or Monday. Special arrangements can be made but must be confirmed prior to pick up. 

Renters must properly return equipment in the same condition as it was checked out to them.  The item(s) should be clean, dry and packed (when applicable) prior to returning. If equipment returned is accordingly, a cleaning fee will be assessed. Cleaning fees will be charged at $15 an hour, with a minimum charge of $10. 

If renters do not return the equipment during business hours on the scheduled return date or on the pre-arranged appointment date, they will be charged the daily rental rate for each day it’s late. 

Renters will pay to replace, at the Assistant Director’s discretion, equipment or similar equipment at its current retail value if the equipment is not returned to the rental center during business hours or it’s damaged, lost or stolen.

The University reserves the right to inspect the equipment up to 3 business days after its return and to charge the renter’s credit card for any damage or cleaning fees. Notice of charges will be conveyed to the renter via email or telephone.

Learn more about the Outdoor Rental Center and our adventure recreation program!

Contact us

Dave Patton headshot

David Patton

Title/Position
Associate Director of Adventure Recreation