Are you interested in water sports? Do you enjoy the American outdoors but have little interest in hiking up a mountain path? Why not consider a kayak trip? Here to help you plan your trip, are the best kayak and canoe trips in the USA.

The 20 Best Kayak And Canoe Trips In The US 

1. Bear Glacier Lagoon, Alaska

Kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park’s Bear Glacier Lagoon is like being in another world. Here you’ll discover some of the state’s largest glaciers. You may also see local wildlife such as otters and seals.

You can reach Bear Glacier Lagoon via water taxi or helicopter. The latter provides a birds-eye view of the turquoise water and massive icebergs. Once you arrive, an outfitter will provide you with a dry bag, a drysuit, a kayak, and everything else you’ll need for a two to four-hour trek. Depending on your choice of transport, your cost will be between $325.00 and $650.00 per person. Trips are available for all ability levels.

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Backhaul Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

See famous Horseshoe Bend from a refreshing perspective. Kayak the Colorado River which runs through it. The adventure begins at well-known Lee’s Ferry in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. 

Before the trip purchase a day pass or National Park Pass. You also need a backhauling service to take you north to the specific starting point. Tell the captain you want to start beyond Horseshoe Bend at mile marker 10.

Your day of incredible kayaking starts at Horseshoe Bend, where you could be paddling for four hours due to slow-moving river currents. There are no real rapids which is why even beginners are welcome here. Stop and do some hiking in the secreted slot canyons. Have a picnic lunch on the shore and check out the ancient petroglyphs. Keep your eyes open for one of the wild horses that drink there too.

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 Kayaking On Russian River, California

Head to Sonoma County for some of the best kayaking in the state. This river is quite popular for kayaking and canoeing because it flows through wine country, towering redwoods, and some great, quaint small towns.

Take a canoe float for half the day or sign on for a one-day, multi-activity adventure that includes kayaking, biking, and wine tasting! You can also take a kayak tour in the city of Jenner where the Russian River connects with the Pacific Ocean. Launch a kayak right by the popular Cafe Aquatica.

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Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin

The striking natural sea caves in Lake Superior are popular with kayakers. Go with a friend or go with a guided tour but either way plan on setting aside a few hours to enjoy the stunning scenery. Several local tours are available.  

If you go solo, be sure you have all the required equipment. Lake Superior is reputed to be quite unpredictable, so go with a sea kayak. You will not need a permit. However, if you park at nearby Meyer’s Beach, it will cost you at least $5.00.

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Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area Canoe Trip, Minnesota

This area in northern Minnesota is a great place for a canoe trip. The area has an undeveloped feel for a number of different reasons. Motorized vehicles are prohibited.  

Every year, only a limited number of permits are available, and the campsites are a minimum of one-quarter of a mile away from each other. There are nearly one million acres here and more than 2,000 lakes. Plan on a multi-day trip.

Here you will paddle across the water and carry your canoe and gear across the land multiple times as you venture into the wilderness. You can establish a base camp and stick to exploring the nearby lakes or pack up daily and explore the area more deeply. Beginners are welcome but it’s recommended that you have at least one experienced canoeist-camper with you.  

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Watson Lake, Arizona

Kayaking at seventy-acre Watson Lake in Prescott, Arizona, is a great idea any time of year except winter. The huge granite boulders that surround the calm lake make it a noteworthy place for bouldering, hiking, picnicking, paddleboarding, and kayaking. You don’t need a permit to go kayaking, but parking there will cost you $3.00.  

You can rent a kayak if you don’t own one. Solo kayaks will cost you at least $15.00 for the first hour and at least $10.00 for each hour thereafter. Tandem kayaks are at least $20.00 for the first hour and a minimum of $15.00 for each hour beyond that. If you spend three hours there, you should budget at least $35.00 per person.

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Animas River, Colorado

Located in the city of Durango, this 126-mile river begins in the massive San Juan Mountains and flows into the San Juan River at the border of New Mexico. Here you can peacefully paddle through majestic meadows or rugged cliffs, this 26-mile section of the Upper Animas River includes Class three through five rapids for experienced kayakers.

Whether you take a one-day trip or spend days here the most exciting parts are found in the Silverton and Rockwood Gorge sections. The Needleton portion is not as crazy but has stunning scenery. The Lower Animas River in Durango is family-friendly and great for beginners.

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Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

See miles of untouched Michigan beauty by kayaking through the popular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Launch your kayak at Hurricane River, Miners Beach, Sand Point Beach, or Twelvemile Beach. Veteran visitors often suggest Sand Point Beach.  

Follow the cliffs eastward. Highlights here include Chapel Rock, Lovers Leap, Painted Coves, and Spray Falls. It’s important to know that conditions change quickly and Lake Superior has actually overwhelmed even experienced kayakers.

For this trek, you will need a sea kayak, a spray skirt, a whistle or air horn, and a life vest. In fact, a life vest is actually required by law and must be worn at all times. If conditions are too rough for you, go north to Grand Island, which is generally not impacted by rough seas. You can spend the day kayaking through Pictured Rocks or camp out and make it a longer trip. Camping will require a reservation and camping costs $25.00 per night. 

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Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park is a remote, unique spot to canoe. It partially borders Canada and includes 655 miles of untouched shoreline, 84,000 acres of water, and more than 500 islands. Travelers usually fly into International Falls and then rent a canoe.  

From there you canoe across Rainy Lake to one of several remote isles. Those in the know suggest camping at any of the 270 campsites in the park. Sites are only accessible via boat or canoe and must be reserved ahead of time. You can fish during the day and do some stargazing at night.

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La Jolla Cave Kayaking Trips, California

Some travel bloggers claim La Jolla is the best place in California for a kayaking trip. Take in the view of the striking sandstone sea cliffs along the coastline and prepare to explore one or all of the seven caves there. Paddle through the lush La Jolla Marine Reserve and the La Jolla Underwater Park too.  

This is an exceptional place for any skill level of kayaker. Sign up for a guided tour. Spend 90 minutes on a kayaking cave tour. You can also opt for taking an inflatable kayak into the La Jolla Cove or even La Jolla Shores. Give yourself a few hours here.  

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Trillium Lake Trip, Oregon

Pretty Trillium Lake is close to Mount Hood. Kayaking here can be a great day trip from Portland. The drive should take you less than two hours. From the lake, you will enjoy a picture-perfect view of majestic Mount Hood. 

Visit in the morning on a clear day and see it reflected in the lake. The lake encompasses 63 acres and it’s generally calm so it’s a great place even for beginner kayakers. Rentals are not available at the lake itself, so you’ll have to bring your own or rent one locally. Parking will cost you $10.00 per vehicle and the lake has a boat ramp.

Lake Cushman, Olympic National Park, Washington

Those in the know say that a fun, family-friendly activity here is to go out on the lake and paddle to rugged Lake Cushman Rock. It’s a massive boulder on the lake’s northern shore. Visitors climb it and jump off of it.

This is both an easy day trip from the city of Seattle and an enjoyable stop as you drive to awesome Olympic National Park. No permit is required. In fact, if you launch your vessel from the lake’s northside, there’s no parking fee either. If you set out from popular Skokomish Park, there’s a $15.00 entrance fee.

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Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho

Travel to Sandpoint in North Idaho’s panhandle. It is here you’ll find the state’s largest lake, Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in Idaho. This place is lush, quiet, and reclusive. There are 111 miles of shoreline and numerous different paddling routes.  

The popular put-in spots include Eagle Boat Launch, Garfield Bay, and Talache Point. If you’re an experienced kayaker, check out the beautiful Clark Fork Delta for its channels, sloughs, and memorable backwater exploration. Spend between two to four days here and explore the area off City Beach or Dover as well. Watch for bald eagles looking for a meal!

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Lake McDonald, Montana

Kayak in the attractive alpine landscape of Lake McDonald, in Glacier National Park. You’ll find this fjord-like lake, located in the West Glacier area of the park. It is more than 10 square miles and thus is also the park’s official largest body of water.

See the rugged Rocky Mountains reflected in its emerald waters. This lake offers paddlers numerous spots to pull off, bring your canoe or kayak ashore, and go on exploring. Plus, it’s reportedly “suitable for kayakers of all [skill] levels.” It costs $35.00 to enter the park and if you visit during the busy summer months, it’s an additional $2.00 for a mandatory vehicle reservation.

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Put-in-Bay Island, Ohio

Lake Erie is situated on the United State’s northern border. It has a surface area of nearly 10,000 square miles and is the fourth largest of the famous Great Lakes. Put-in-Bay, here on Lake Erie. is a unique place to canoe or kayak.

You can rent a kayak and paddle all around Gibraltar Island. You can also launch your canoe or kayak from popular South Bass Island State Park. Paddle along the island’s limestone cliffs and check out the blue-green water and rocky beach.

Mind you, the water can get choppy if you stray too far from shore. Stick to the shoreline and in the island’s bays. Watch for water snakes too. Give yourself between one and two hours in the afternoon for this one.

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Pensacola, Florida

Pensacola is a historic city along the famous Florida Panhandle. Specifically, Little Sabine Bay is the only place to go “night glow kayaking.” This adventure will find you in a crystal-clear kayak so that you can see all the marine life beneath you.  

The kayaks include LED lights, which give the sea creatures a distinct glow. See sea denizens such as fish, jellyfish, starfish, and stingrays. This is a family-friendly activity as the bay is relatively shallow and you can have one or two people in each kayak.

Note that every child must be accompanied by an adult. There is also a minimum weight of 30 pounds. If parents approve, kids between 10 and 17 can go solo.  

Each session is approximately 45 minutes. You can book a tour any time from 7:00 pm through 11:30 pm seven days a week. Wait until it is dark if possible. Parking is limited but public parking is right across the street.

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Kayaking With Manatees, Florida

While there are many year-round 72-degree Fahrenheit natural springs off Crystal River here, if you visit Three Sisters Springs during manatee season, you can go kayaking with manatees. You can go solo, take a two-hour tour in a clear kayak, or even go on a “kayak and swim eco-tour” of the river. Crystal River has a very low current, so this is a great place for beginners and families too.

No permit is needed to kayak here. Both Hunter Springs Park and Kings Bay have metered parking and several kayak launches. There’s Crystal River Preserve State Park too. If you rent a kayak, you can usually park in the company’s parking lot.  

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Outer Banks, North Carolina

The beautiful Outer Banks consists of almost 200 miles of rugged barrier islands just off the state’s coast. The scenic paddling paths here vary from relatively calm waterways through rivers to more active ocean waves. Kayakers of all skill levels are welcome here.

Veteran visitors can confirm that the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places here for kayaking as the water is quite calm. You can even rent and launch a kayak from the various Outer Banks beaches. The island’s west side has calmer water than its ocean side. There’s no charge for parking and no permits are required.

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Cape Cod And The Islands, Massachusetts

Despite what partisan people may tell you, Cape Cod and the islands of Nantucket, and even Martha’s Vineyard have lots of room for those who love to go kayaking. They may get busy in the summer, but there are never too many visitors paddling out on the water. Venture into the Cape Cod National Seashore.

There are numerous ponds to paddle, and you can travel between these three places via ferry. The ponds are best for families and beginners. You can rent a kayak locally or bring your own.

Rental businesses will deliver kayaks to whatever launch you choose. The launches are easily accessible too. No permit is needed but you may have to pay for parking depending on where you choose to park.

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Wailua River And Hanalei River, Hawaii

Last but certainly not least, is the Wailua and Hanalei Rivers in the birth state of your rovin’ writer. The Wailua River is reputed to be the only navigable river in Hawaii and the only one on the isle of Kauai. If you’re feeling athletic, take the popular “Wailua River and Secret Falls Kayak and Hiking Tour.”  

It features a wonderful waterfall that can only be reached via kayak. It takes less than half the day and is great for beginners. Participants are provided with meeting points along the river but are permitted to travel at their own speed.

The hike to Uluwehi Falls takes less than half an hour and you will be crossing some streams too. The kayak route can be done on standup paddleboard or canoe too. You can also head for the Hanalei River and take the Hanalei Bay Kayak & Snorkel Tour. You’ll be exploring the area by kayak and see sea turtles and other memorable marine life too.

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