McDonough Canoe Rental

McDonough Canoe Rental is now Monticello Canoe Rental. Same phone number 319−465−3697, same great service as in the past. Come try us out we would love for you to come float with us!
Check out Monticello Canoe Rental at
or email us at
or call 319−465−3697! — Addam & Lori Fier, new owners

Every year a group of friends and family gets together for a wonderful Sunday canoe trip over the extended weekends in May and September. This year we did not make our reservations early enough, and lucked out that half of us were in tubes. An awesome time was had by all, and next year an exclusive tubing trip will be added to the mid-​season lineup. The staff was as wonderful as ever, and the owners could not have been more kind. Maybe next season I will finally remember to bring a frisbee for all the beach stops in addition to my sandwich, snacks and Nalgene-​filled liquer stash. Giddy with anticipation ~ and an excuse to get a new swimsuit!

Formerly known as Appleby Canoe Rental, this shop has changed hands as of 2007. While I can’t attest to the new ownership, their claim on the website to uphold the service and tradition of Appleby is convincing enough for me.
What I can tell you is how much fun it is to grab a bunch of friends, some beers, a picnic lunch, and a yearning for adventure as you hop in a few canoes, slather on some sunscreen and float down the Maquoketa River in upper northeastern Iowa. The 8-​mile journey includes scenic vistas of Painted Rocks park, amazing bluffs, native wildlife (last time I went, there were wild turkeys running amok), and plenty of sand bars to stop at if you want to take a dip in the river, relax on the beach, or if nature calls and you need to find yourself a tree. (And for the love of God, please don’t get drunk and pee in the river… it’s utterly classless!)
Extra bonuses include a shuttle service that will pick you up if you’re camping down at Painted Rocks, and then pick up your canoes once you’ve made it back down to your campsite. Obviously, they also pick you up and drive you back to the rental site, if you’re just in it for the day-​trip.
NOTE: If you plan to go on a weekend, I highly recommend making reservations, and personally, I suggest a weekday, only because you don’t have to worry as much about knocking paddles against anyone else.