5 Best Places For Your Next Incredible Kayaking Adventure
There’s nothing better than paddling out on the open water while enjoying the soft breeze and beautiful sunshine! Kayaking is one of the best ways to experience the outdoors and is a great sport for all ages and all skill levels.
This is a list of 5 great places to check out to help you choose a good location to get started. They encompass a wide range of environments to provide some variety and uniqueness to your next trip.
1. Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
If you’re looking for a real adventure that encompasses the beauty of nature and grandeur of wildlife, there’s no better place than the state of Alaska. At Glacier Bay National Park, you’ll encounter all of this including sea lions, whales, puffins, and glaciers.
Your kayak trip can begin from Bartlett Cove where you can either explore the 5-mile Bartlett River Trail or paddle out to the sea and experience Glacier Bay up close. There is also a camper drop-off service so you can begin further upbay and closer to the tidewater glaciers.
If you aren’t confident to head out on your own just yet, the park offers guided trips for both day trips and overnight trips. Just be sure to register for your free permit if you plan to do any overnight camping during the months of May thru September.
2. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland/Virginia
The largest estuary in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay spans 200-miles and is home to thousands of plant and animal species. There are so many great water trails to embark on that you can explore on your own or with a tour guide.
Check out the local wildlife paddling through places like the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge or Peregrine Tower. There are also great spots for viewing historic architecture including an 18th century farmhouse in Ingleside or the Bogles Wharf built in 1887.
If you’re into fishing, the Chesapeake is one of the best spots in the country where you can cast a line in waters renown for their quality, diversity, and scenery. Summer flounder, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, striped bass, and white perch are some popular species found in the bay.
Paddle through some of the most beautiful desert landscapes in the US along Arizona’s famous Colorado River. It runs through one of the eight natural wonders of the world and is home to millions of species of plants and animals.
There are a few places you can launch your kayak from. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell offer great water-based activities to enjoy for those looking for a relatively easy paddle. For the more experienced kayakers, Lees Ferry acts like a natural corridor that allows you to drive right up to the first rapid of the Grand Canyon.
In order to keep crowd levels down, anyone planning to undertake the rapids must apply for a permit. Explore the mighty power of the Colorado while testing your skills and taking in the scenery.
4. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Enjoy beautiful forest and mountain scenery while you float on 191 square miles of Lake Tahoe’s calm, blue water. You can bring your own kayak or visit the numerous rental shops that surround the area.
If you’re looking for places to access the lake, there are several locations to do this from. Lakeview Commons offers easy access to the beach and also provides great activities to enjoy during your kayaking adventure including night concerts you can watch from your boat.
Camp Richardson and Kiva Beach are other fantastic locations boasting beautiful, undeveloped shoreline and stunning mountain views. The lake is also well known for it incredible sunsets and vast stargazing.
Escape the busy city and explore Florida’s largest open-water estuary. Tampa Bay offers everything from paddling past cityscapes to getting your adrenaline running on exhilarating rapids.
Explore the diverse wildlife of the area that includes alligators, dolphins, and manatees. There are many different spots to choose from when figuring out where exactly to kayak. Shell Key Preserve provides beautiful mangrove tunnels to paddle through and, if you’re lucky, will get you up close and personal with the dolphins.
Another great area to explore is Fort De Soto that offers an abundance of friendly wildlife spotting in the calm, shallow waters. Tarpon Springs is a perfect choice for those looking to enjoy a leisurely trip for manatee sighting, who may even stop by your kayak to say hello!
