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Boat Rentals on Lake Madison at The Hillside Resort
← The Hillside Resort

Marina + Watercraft Rentals

Pull up. Fuel up. Run the lake.

Saturday at 11 — you pull up to the marina with the family in the back of the truck. Pontoon fueled and waiting, captain ready if you want the BluMana. By noon you're on Lake Madison. By 6, eating walleye on the patio with the boats coming and going below.

Why Hillside

The marina the lake-day-trippers come back to.

REASON 01

Every rental, one dock

BluMana party boat (captain), family pontoon. Book ahead — the dock is small and the fleet is smaller. No driving between marinas.

REASON 02

Fuel + ice + bait + lunch all on the property

Gas dock right at the marina — no hauling cans. Sea Store across the street for the ice-and-beer run. Steakhouse upstairs for the walleye dinner when the boat goes back.

REASON 03

Captain on the BluMana so you don't worry

The BluMana runs with a Coast-Guard-licensed captain + a bartender at a cash bar — no outside alcohol on this one. Plug your phone into the party speakers and DJ it. Captain handles the lake, fuel, and the dock-in.

REASON 04

Two lakes, your pick

Lake Madison (2,642 acres) for skiing, jet skis, the BluMana. Long Lake (no-wake) for the family swim, sunset float, BYO paddle. Same property, golf-cart between them.

Ready to plan?

Two ways to start: the form below, or a phone call.

Book the marina

Pick the boat. Pick the time. Show up by 11.

The marina handles direct online booking — pick your vessel, pick your block, pay your deposit. BluMana cruises route to the captain's calendar.

Questions

The things people ask first.

Can I walk in or do I need to book?
Book ahead — the fleet is small and a boat is often out for the day. BluMana ALWAYS needs a booking. Weekday walk-ups are sometimes possible, but call first rather than driving out on the chance.
Do I need boating experience?
For the BluMana — no, a captain runs it. For the self-drive pontoon — yes, basic boater's safety. Hillside checks your license at the dock and walks you through the controls before you launch. South Dakota requires a boater education card for operators born after 1985 — bring it.
What about fuel + tax + extras?
Fuel is included — no fuel surcharge when you return. Life jackets are available based on inventory — we recommend bringing your own, especially for children. South Dakota sales tax applies. Self-drive rentals: cancel 7+ days out for a full refund, 50% between 48 hours and 7 days — inside 48 hours is non-refundable. BluMana charters run 14 days for a full refund, 50% from 7 to 14, none inside 7.
Can we bring our own coolers / food / drinks?
The BluMana has a full bar with a bartender on board (cash bar) — no outside alcohol on the BluMana itself. For the Pontoon, let us pack the cooler — beer, seltzers, or water + ice. Add it when you book, or email info@hillsideresort.com and it's ready when you arrive. The Sea Store across the street covers snacks + sunscreen before you board.
Holiday weekend rates?
Rental rates are the same every day of the season — no holiday surcharge. Holiday weekends do book out first, though: reserve early, and the BluMana goes 4-6 weeks out.
What's the cancellation policy if the weather turns?
Captain's discretion on the BluMana — if he scrubs the cruise for weather, you reschedule or get a full refund. Self-drive rentals follow the standard policy — full refund 7+ days out, 50% between 48 hours and 7 days, no refund inside 48 hours. Same-day weather cancels we credit you for another visit.

Marina + Watercraft Rentals

Book the boat before someone else does.

Lock the BluMana for the weekend. Walk in for the pontoon. Call (605) 838-7953 to start planning.