Do you love kayaking or have an interest in it?
Then these are 5 great places for kayaking in U.S.A. you will enjoy.
If you love to kayak, chances are, you like to travel to different far away and magical places.
Wherever you go, the kayak goes.
There is nothing more peaceful than paddling down a river, whether for relaxation, or the sport of it.
The following is a list of five top destinations in the United States, that you must visit to truly get a once in a life time experience. Of course, they all have different class ranges according to skill too.
Our friends at Kayakerguide.com have helped us put together a list of great places this year with some that are well known and some that are a bit more off the beaten path to give you some inspiration for your next kayaking trip.
Awesome Kayaking Places In The U.S.A.
1. Kayaking Prince William Sound – Alaska
A great place to go, in the Summer, is Prince William Sound, which is in Alaska, hence the keyword “Summer” being important.
It is one of the most Northern forests in all of America, the Chugach National Forest. It is very remote and quiet. If you want to see abundant wildlife, you will not be disappointed.
Watch Eagles soaring above, and sea lions, and possible humpback whales below.
You should be well educated on what to do when encountering certain wildlife,
As you glide along, you will see the giant glaciers, and the pristine “Azure” colored water.
There are plenty of waterfalls to see too and there are plenty of places to stop and rest or picnic. If you want to, you can also camp.
This is a 2-3 class adventure. It is a place you will want to take two days to explore or come back again.
More on Alaska travel with my Kenai Peninsula guide.
2. Kayaking In Florida
In the Winter, if you have that kayaking itch, head South to Florida.
The Everglades are calling.
The best part is it is perfect weather in Winter, not too hot, and not too cold. Don’t worry, you won’t see throngs of tourists here. It is peaceful and beautiful.
As you glide along the waters you may see alligators, of course. Don’t worry, they are more afraid of you then you are them.
Cypress trees are plentiful in the everglades. They are a unique tree as they survive submerged it the waters.
Fire is not really a threat to them as they have plenty of water within them. Check out the many different varieties of birds, and egrets.
If you are looking for a nice calm and peaceful ride, this is it. There is no class rating as it is calm waters.
Some Great places in Florida include: Coastal dune lakes, Beaches of Destin, Blackwater River, Wakulla River, Suwannee River Paddling Trail, Weeki Wachee, Indian River, Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail
3. Kayaking Colorado River
The Colorado River is a fantastic destination.
It is an immensely long river spanning seven states with about 1500 miles in it. However, this destination is in Arizona. The best part is paddling through the almighty Grand Canyon.
The beautiful rock formations and colors will have you in awe. There are plenty of places to sit and relax and take in the view as well.
It would take fifteen days to do the whole Canyon, so you must pick a certain area to go.
If you are a beginner than head to Grand Junction, or South Canyon and Cameo, where permits are not required. This brings me to the next part.
Permits are required as there are level 6 rapids. The Grand Canyon has a lottery every February to select lucky winners to be able to buy a permit.
You must be a level IV skilled kayaker. It does cost several hundred dollars for the permit, which you must immediately pay for upon notification of winning.
If you are a beginner and are just there for beauty, and not the spectacular hair-raising thrills of the rapids, make sure to stick around for the sunset. It will exceed all your expectations.
It is even better than a beach sunset, as all the colors bounce off the surrounding rock cliffs.
4. Mulberry River – Arkansas
Next up, head East to Arkansas, to hit up the Mulberry River.
It is located deep in the Ozarks, where the Arkansas River ends. If you are a beginner, this river is best to visit in late Summer and Autumn, as the water levels are lower.
The rest of the year it is classified as class 2-3. which is not really too hard. It is a beautiful ride through the forested areas. You will see plenty of wildlife, including black bears which this area has the highest population in the state.
As in the other rivers, there are plenty of places to stop, rest, eat, or take a swim.
Bring along a packable hammock to take an afternoon siesta, before heading back out.
There is no need to rush. Enjoy the majestic scenery and wildlife, after all, that is what you came for, a nice relaxing day out in nature.
5. Cherry Creek, Rocky Mountains – Sacramento
(For the Whitewater Kayaker)
For the extreme kayaker, and only the most experienced at that, Cherry Creek, Upper Tuolumnek, located in the Rocky Mountains, is a treacherous wild ride.
It is located about 150 Southeast of Sacramento. This river is about 40 miles long, and full of excitement. However, the changing part is nine miles of pure adrenaline pumping action.
There is no time to enjoy the scenery as there are a whopping 15 class five rapids. You must really be on your game to attempt this river.
You will feel very triumphant to master this river as it also has many class IV rapids as well, so get ready for the kayaking trip of a lifetime.
When kayaking you have to watch the weather, just as in all outdoor adventures. Some rivers are best to travel when the waters are really running, after the rainy season. However, for those wanting calm scenic rides, go when the water is lower, usually mid-Summer and later.
Always prepare ahead of time before attempting any of these rivers. Make sure to research everything about the wildlife there and how to protect yourself from the elements if necessary.
Also check the classes of the rivers, to determine exactly where you will want to launch and get out. Remember to check the weather as well. There is nothing worse than being caught in a ferocious thunderstorm, especially as it makes the waters really wild.
Do not take inexperienced people with you.
It is not much you can do from another kayak to help them if they get into trouble. Make sure to wear life vests, as well as insect repellant and sunscreen.
It is no fun to suffer from sunburn after a great day of kayaking.
Bonus – Kayak Where You Live
No matter where you live, there is always somewhere close by that you can get in a kayak and paddle.
You can go on lakes, rivers, the Gulf, bays, and oceans. There is nothing better than a day on the water. It is even fun to paddle down a river that runs right through major cities.
Do some sightseeing from the water instead of by land. You can have a whole new outlook of visiting some of your favorite places that you usually see by car.
One of the most famous is in Chicago. A river runs straight through the middle of downtown. See the soaring buildings beside you, and watch as water taxis take people from place tp place.
You don’t have to invest a lot of matter to kayak. They run about $300, but can go higher depending on your needs.
However, there are many kayak rental places, wherever there is water, and outdoor outfitters.
So, hurry, what are you waiting for?
This is a non-paid guest post by Andrew Bell
Andrew is a seasoned kayaker with 15 years of experience under his belt. He began kayaking as a way to reduce work stress but quickly became an avid kayak fisher and lure expert.
He currently enjoys both lake and ocean kayaking and loves to write and share his experiences.
U.S.A. Resources
For kayaking be sure to have travel insurance just to be safe if something goes wrong!
I recommend using SafetyWing Travel Insurance for your trip, just in case, it’s best to be prepared.
For more reading on the U.S.A. check out my United Sates travel destinations.
If you liked this kayaking in U.S.A. article a share would be cool!
