There is a lot of natural beauty to be found on the St. Joseph and Dowagiac Rivers in Niles.

One of the best ways to experience that beauty is to get on a kayak and start paddling.

“People love the scenery and the wildlife,” said Lauribeth Friedrich, of Niles. “You see deer, turtles, swans… there is a sandhill crane that follows everyone down the river.”

For the past three years, Lauribeth and her husband, Mike, have been running the Niles Water Sports company at 1520 Old US-31 in Niles.

They offer people the opportunity to rent a canoe, kayak or tube and float/paddle down the St. Joseph and Dowagiac rivers.

The 2015 season started on Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day weekend.

They are open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and on holidays.

The Friedrichs offer two different trips.

The first is on the Dowagiac River from the Pucker Street Dam to the location of Niles Water Sports. It is 3.5 miles and takes about an hour depending on the person, water speed and type of floatation device.

The second and longer trip follows the Dowagiac and St. Joseph Rivers. It starts from Niles Water Sports and ends in Buchanan. It is 10 miles and takes about four hours.

The Friedrichs provide a shuttle service that leaves every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. They transport people to Pucker Street Dam for the short trip and pick people up from Buchanan for the long trip.

“People love the shuttle,” Mike said.

Paddles and lifejackets are provided.

Reservations are not required, but the Friedrichs said people may have to wait for an opening if they just show up — especially on the weekends or holidays.

“On a given day we will do up to 150-200 people,” Mike said.

Rental prices are:

• Tubes — $15

• Single kayak — $25 or $40 depending on trip

• Tandem kayak — $35 or $50 depending on trip

• Canoe — $50