Top 7 Kayaking Spots In The United States

Top 7 Kayaking Spots In The United States

By: Joseph   of Austin Kayaks (http://www.austinkayak.com/)

Good kayaking can be found all over the United States. Whether it be a great kayak fishing spot, rapids to run or just some flatwater with great sights and wildlife, there’s bound to be something near you. Personally, I have explored a wide variety of waters here in Texas and despite trying to convince my company (ACK.com) countless times to send me around the States to explore the top spots for kayaking, I haven’t had the opportunity quite yet. However, kayaking is a very social activity and when someone finds a great spot you can be sure they’ll be talking about it. Because of this, I’ve created a list of seven top spots (in no particular order) for kayaking, one personal favorite and six that I plan to visit sometime in the future.

Pictured Rocks. A favorite paddling destination for Michigan sea kayakers, Pictured Rocks offers a unique environment to explore on the water. The national lakeshore gets its name from the colorful sandstone cliffs naturally sculpted into shallow caves (that kayakers are able to explore) and unique formations with plenty of sandy beaches to land and put in as well. It’s located on Lake Superior, which can often have unpredictable waters, so kayakers should consult forecasts and be prepared for varying conditions.

Outer Banks. The whole state of North Carolina is famous in the paddling world. It’s home to a number of kayak manufacturers and boasts tons of unique natural venues for kayakers. One such spot is the Outer Banks, a long string of narrow barrier islands just off the coast. This place has a ton to offer to kayakers. There are many marshes to explore rife with coastal seabirds and marine life and is also popular with kayak anglers. Sea kayakers also find this area both fun and challenging as they can enjoy paddling from island to island or just about the open sea.

Everglades. The Everglades is a natural wetlands region that excompasses a huge area of southern Florida. It’s a very popular spot for flatwater paddling and has plenty of unique wildlife to spot and habitats to explore. It has four very different paddling trails to experience ranging from the Flamingo Canoe Trails to the Gulf Coast Trail. The Nine Mile Pond paddling trail takes kayakers/canoers through mangrove forests and marsh habitat and is a favorite for kayak anglers.

Green River Narrows. The Green River Narrows is another reason North Carolina’s is famous in the kayaking community. This dam controlled section of water is about 3 miles long and runs nearly 300 days of the year. It’s a mecca for whitewater paddlers and creek boaters with the skills to traverse class IV or V rapids. This is also home to the most hotly contested (arguably worldwide) annual Green Race which has been going since 1996 and is still very popular to this day.

Lighthouse Lakes. This is a Texas favorite, located between Aransas Pass and Port Aransas, Lighthouse Lakes was the first paddling trail in the state. Comprised of four different paddling loops, kayakers can explore the flatwater mangrove estuaries and lakes. It is a great spot for both bird watching and kayak fishing, in particular red drum, spotted sea trout and flounder. Lighthouse Lakes gets it’s name from an historic lighthouse which you can see as you paddle through the flats.

Apostle Islands National Park. Another National Lakeshore of Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands are located in northern Wisconsin. They are comprised of 21 different islands and offer some great opportunities for sea kayakers. Sea caves, rock gardens, inland crossings, bays and sandy beaches are just some of the environments kayakers are able to explore. I’ve heard from many paddlers about their experiences camping on certain islands as well. Again, Lake Superior is known to have varying conditions so kayakers should be prepared.

Acadia National Park. Located on the upper coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is a favorite for all levels of sea kayakers. Kayakers can explore areas they feel comfortable with, starting with the Frenchman’s Bay where a number of islands await beginner paddlers to explore. Those who feel more comfortable can take on the open waters on their own and explore the many rocky coves the area has to offer with plenty of marine life to spot along the way. As always, it's suggested that paddlers take the necessary precautions to ensure they have a safe paddling experience. 

While there is great kayaking to be found wherever you go, you cannot deny the unique opportunities that these seven spots have to offer. So grab your kayaks, your gear and your friends and get out there! And if you just happen to need a new piece of kayaking equipment, remember to visit Austin Kayak (www.ACK.com), we ship all over the United States!

About the Author

Joseph Dowdy is an avid kayaker based out of the central Texas area. He has paddled many of central Texas’ waterways and has attended and/or participated in many kayak fishing tournaments, races and paddling festivals. He’s currently employed at Austin Canoe and Kayak (ACK) and loves that he gets to spend time working with his favorite toys.