16 Of The Best Places To Paddle In America

The United States of America is a paddling hotbed for good reason. From the iconic wilderness of Alaska to the mysterious mangroves of the Florida Everglades, the country features an immense range of destinations to satisfy all types of paddling. In the United States you’ll discover canoe tripping routes on glassy North Woods lakes; float trips on historic waterways and hidden gems; exciting whitewater runs through canyons and over cascades; and world-class sea kayaking on ocean fjords and inland seas.

Working with an American paddling outfitter is a great choice if you’re new to an area, regardless of your experience level. These local experts will handle logistics, route planning, equipment rentals and more. Better yet, sign up for a guided trip for an all-inclusive experience, in which local knowledge joins you on the water and in camp.

We’ve curated a short list of some of the best paddling trips America has to offer. Bear in mind, however, this is just a small glimpse of all that’s here to discover by canoe, kayak or raft.

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Alaska

With skyscraping peaks, coastal fjords and countless wild rivers, Alaska easily earns its distinction as the wildest state in the Union. Such rugged, extreme conditions make Alaska a destination for the most hardened adventurers. However, options also exist for mere mortals—including flatwater paddlers and families—to get a taste of this iconic place.

1 Tangle Lakes

If your picture of Alaska includes lakes surrounded by snow-capped mountains, wild rivers and tumbling waterfalls, this three-day guided canoe or kayak tour with Alaska Dream Adventures is for you. The itinerary includes a mix of flatwater paddling on the Tangle Lakes, in the heart of the Alaska Range, a quarter-mile portage around amazing waterfalls, and a downriver run with class II to III rapids—all in a landscape abounding with wolves, bald eagles, beavers and other iconic northern wildlife. This all-inclusive adventure is ideal for intermediate paddlers looking for an easy-to-plan Alaskan experience.

2 Prince William Sound

Breakwater Expeditions’ seven-day journey on Puget Sound is customized for families, inviting you to experience wilderness sea kayaking at a classic Alaskan destination in a safe and fun environment. The main goal of this all-inclusive, guided sea kayak trip isn’t to cover immense distances, but rather to allow time for families to reconnect and experience the rugged Pacific coast up close, including glaciers and incredible wildlife like bears, salmon, bald eagles and more.

Washington

Washington state boasts an awe-inspiring landscape of exposed Pacific coastline, tide-washed islands and wild rivers tumbling off the Cascade Range. Washington is the birthplace of modern North American sea kayaking and it remains a life list destination for kayak touring.

3 San Juan Islands

Perched in a temperate, sun-splashed rain shadow at the edge of the continent, the San Juan Islands are a bucolic sea kayaking destination in the Pacific Northwest. Discovery Sea Kayaks’ three-day kayak and camping tour is a perfect introduction to Washington’s Pacific coast. This novice-friendly guided trip includes all gear and meals, as well as expert instruction along the way. You’ll travel with a small group of like-minded paddlers, getting an intimate glimpse of the marine environment. Keep your eyes peeled for orca whales throughout your journey.

Oregon

Oregon shares the Wild and Scenic Snake River with neighboring Idaho. The state features some of the wildest country in the Lower 48—a classic mix of mountain scenery, ancient forest and big, powerful rivers.

4 Snake River

According to the Indigenous Nez Perce, Hells Canyon on the Snake River was dug by a giant coyote to protect the people from the “Seven Devils” that resided across the gorge in present-day Idaho. A rafting trip through Hells Canyon with ROW Adventures is a bucket-list experience for wild river enthusiasts. The five-day trip includes meals and full outfitting, along with expert interpretation of the area’s dynamic geology and Native American history.

Idaho

Whitewater rivers and deep wilderness are hallmarks of Idaho. The state is home to dozens of waterways, including two Wild and Scenic Rivers, making it a great destination for adventurous rafters, whitewater kayakers and experienced canoeists. Go guided for an immersive and safe experience.

5 Middle Fork of the Salmon River

The Middle Fork of the Salmon is one of the original American rivers awarded Wild and Scenic status in 1968. There’s good reason: this free-flowing waterway bisects the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, dropping 3,000 feet in elevation across 106 miles.

Join ROW Adventures for a guided six-day raft trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River for the ultimate wilderness whitewater experience. You’ll enjoy exciting class III to IV rapids, hot springs, blue-ribbon fishing and great hiking while you explore some of the deepest wilderness in the Lower 48.

Utah

Utah’s Canyon Country abounds with opportunities for paddlers looking for trips of a lifetime on big western rivers. The state straddles the divide between the mountains and arid country, offering stunningly austere scenery, mind-blowing geology and rich Native American heritage.

6 Green River

Looking for a new perspective on an iconic western river? Join Breakwater Expeditions for a guided SUP tour on Utah’s Green River. Custom six- and seven-day guided trips are available, complete with all equipment, logistics support and gourmet meals. Besides outstanding hiking and opportunities for photography, Breakwater can customize packages for yoga enthusiasts, families and fitness paddlers.

Montana

Montana is home to more than just big skies. The state bridges the gap between the Rockies and the Great Plains, and it earns its recognition as a mecca for outdoor adventure with legendary waterways like the Missouri River and countless others, which served as travelways for Native Americans and explorers like Lewis and Clark.

7 Upper Missouri River

This weeklong float trip by canoe takes in the incredible scenery of one of America’s greatest waterways. The Upper Missouri River is enveloped by towering white cliffs and austere badlands as it cuts its way across the northern plains. Join Upper Missouri River Guides for an immersive wilderness canoeing experience on this great American river. Your small-group, fully guided adventure includes gourmet meals and all equipment.

Minnesota

It’s no surprise that the Land of 10,000 Lakes is a paddler’s paradise. Minnesota is famously home to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the most popular canoe tripping destinations in the world, as well as the majestic Lake Superior coastline and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Simply put, the state has something for every type of paddler.

8 Boundary Waters

With 1,200 miles of backcountry canoe routes and 2,000 wilderness campsites, you could spend a lifetime exploring the North Woods of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply will whet your appetite for more with a guided day trip, including all gear and transportation from their base in Grand Marais. The company also offers full outfitting, trip planning advice and rental canoes, kayaks and SUPs for do-it-yourself adventures.

9 Lake Superior

Discover why Duluth consistently ranks amongst America’s most outdoorsy communities when you take a guided sea kayak journey on Lake Superior’s scenic north shore with Day Tripper Duluth. You’ll paddle crystalline waters beneath towering cliffs, admiring a historic lighthouse and mysterious shipwreck. Day Tripper Duluth customizes its guided day trips to a wide variety of participants, including fun and easy family trips, more challenging adventures for intermediate and advanced sea kayakers, and everything in between.

10 Isle Royale National Park

The Lower 48’s least-visited federally designated wilderness area features over 100 miles of rockbound coastline, perfect for sea kayaking. Join Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply for a six-day guided tour of Isle Royale’s secret coves, historic lighthouses and abandoned fishing villages. This all-inclusive sea kayak adventure includes ferry transportation to and from Isle Royale from Grand Marais, all meals and equipment provided.

Michigan

Michigan’s remote Upper Peninsula is far removed from the state’s urban south. The “UP” embraces its rugged Lake Superior shore, offering plenty of options for kayakers to explore the cliffs, beaches and wilderness islands of an inland sea.

11 Pictured Rocks

Minerals in the sandstone cliffs near Munising have turned the Lake Superior shoreline into a colorful canvas, complete with towering arches, caves and waterfalls. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is an incredible destination for nature lovers and sea kayaking is the best way to see this natural phenomenon. Sign up for a mothership-supported guided trip with Pictured Rocks Kayaking to experience 13 points of interest in a single day. Lunch is included.

12 Agate Harbor

Lake Superior is renowned for its diverse and spectacular geology. In particular, the Keweenaw Peninsula features native copper, unique volcanic formations and agates, making it a dreamy destination for rockhounds. You’ll discover untouched agate beaches on this four- to five-hour sea kayaking tour with Keweenaw Adventure Company. Each outing begins with basic strokes and rescue training before you take to the water, exploring the incredible shoreline where you’ll encounter a unique rock arch and the shipwreck of the City of St. Joseph barge just offshore.

New York

The contrast between metropolitan New York and the alpine hinterlands of the northern reaches of the state is decidedly stark. Paddling and portaging amidst the gem-like lakes of the Adirondacks is an ancient tradition, with plenty of options available for backcountry adventures for all levels of paddlers.

13 The Adirondacks

Based on Saranac Lake, Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters will help you plan everything from basic day trips to multiday expeditions by SUP, kayak or canoe in the scenic wilds of upper New York state. The company offers full outfitting, including rental equipment and trip planning advice, as well as all-inclusive guided trips—all backed by over 20 years of Adirondacks experience.

Virginia

Set in the heart of Appalachia, Virginia abounds with hardwood forests and tumbling rivers. The state offers extreme paddlers some of the best whitewater in the Southeast. For others, it’s a great destination for recreational paddling in quintessential rural America.

14 Upper James River

The scenic Upper James River provides a family-friendly introduction to the wilds of Virginia. The 10.5-mile section from Buchanan to Alpine features stunning mountain scenery, great fishing and easy class I and II rapids. The experts at Twin River Outfitters provide all the equipment and logistics for self-guided overnight excursions.

Missouri

America’s heartlands are home to the continent’s greatest river, the Mississippi. Modern-day paddlers can still discover the scenes of early America on the Big Muddy, with remote shores and hidden backwaters cast throughout the Show Me state.

15 French Corridor

The historic French Corridor of the Mississippi River stretches from St. Louis to St. Genevieve. Paddle with Big Muddy Adventures in a 29-foot voyageur canoe to get an intimate glimpse of this historic waterway. The three-day, all-inclusive tour is suitable for all levels of paddlers, and includes backcountry camping and gourmet meals from Chef Josh Galliano.

Florida

There’s more than theme parks, condos and snowbirds in Florida. The state is an incredible destination for sea kayakers and canoeists, boasting countless spring-fed rivers, open coastlines and the remarkable Everglades. Florida’s vast network of parks and water trails offers great access to routes for all levels of paddlers, whether you’re looking for a scenic day trip or a multiday adventure.

16 The Everglades

The Florida Everglades are truly otherworldly, featuring unique mangrove scenery, sweeping beaches and diverse wildlife. Breakwater Expeditions’ three- to 12-day canoe or sea kayak tours take in the best of the 1.5-million-acre Everglades, with fully guided, all-inclusive tours departing November through March. Options are available for all levels of paddlers.

Feature photo: Ryan Porter/Unsplash