There are many places to go kayaking and canoeing in Alabama.

The Alabama Scenic River Trail

The Alabama Scenic River Trail is the nation’s longest one state river trail. There are over 1000 miles of accessible waterways.

The main waterways of the trail: The Alabama River, Coosa River, Tensaw River, Tennessee River, Cahaba River, Mobile-Tensaw delta, Terrapin, Hatchett Creek, Weogufka Creek. They offer access to big cities and small towns.

Guide books can be purchased on their website.

The Bartram Canoe Trail

The Bartram Canoe Trail is part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail and has many opportunities for kayaking & canoeing. There are day use paddling trails with many access points and overnight paddling trails.  Paddling is on the rivers, streams, lakes, sloughs, and bayous of the Delta.

Here is some information on the day use paddling trails:

The Globe Creek Trail

6.8 miles

Start: French’s Lake Coastal Access Kiosk

End: Hubbard’s Landing

Type of trail: creek, lake, and slough

Starting in the upper reaches of the Mobile-Tensaw Forever Wild Property. The trail begins in a small waterway that meanders through mature bottomland hardwood forests.

Red Hill Proctor Creek

Trail 6.5 miles

Start and End:Hubbards Landing

Type of Trail: Creek, lake, and slough

Crossing the open water of Tensaw Lake to small feeder creek – explore the remote backwaters.

Douglas Lake Trail

10.2 miles

Start and End: Upper Bryant’s Landing

Traveling up Tensaw Lake and into Douglas Lake.

Richardson Island Trail

10.2 miles

Start and End Rice Creek Landing

Follows Rice Creek, Brier Lake, and Tensaw Lake around Richardson Island.

Fisher Island Trail

8.9 miles

Start and End: Rice Creek Landing

Crossing Brier Land and the Tensaw River, the trail follows Bayou Jessamine into what is locally known as Jug Lake.

Indian Mound Island Trail

9.1 miles

Start and End Rice Creek Landing

Cross Brier Lake and Tensaw Lake. The trail follows the entire length of Bayou Jessamine into Bottle Creek.

Alabama State Parks 

There is also paddling opportunities at many Alabama State Parks.

Parks may require a fee or permit so check before you paddle.

Some State Parks may have canoe rentals.

 

Looking for kayaking & canoeing locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe all over the U.S.  Kayaking & canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

I thought everyone has snow!

Yes, there are a few places that actually do not have a blanket of snow, just a few. So if you’re looking to get your kayak or canoe out of its storage space and looking to enter a whitewater kayak and canoe race then you need to travel down to Alabama to the Alabama Cup Racing Series.

The Alabama Cup Racing Series is made up of three races; the Locust Fork Invitational, Mulberry Fork Festival and Locust Fork Classic Race.

According to their website:

February 5^th and 6^th is the Locust Fork Canoe & Kayak Invitational at Kings Bend in Cleveland, Alabama.

March 5th & 6^th is The Mulberry Fork Canoe & Kayak Race located near Garden City, Alabama.

March 26 & 27^th is The Locust Fork Whitewater Classic.

The courses consist of about 25 gates, set on a class Il/lll rapids, and are approximately one hundred yards long.

The race courses are spectator friendly with walking trails beside the courses.

Check out their website for all the information you need to enter or watch this race.

For more information on the Alabama Cup Racing Series, or to find other paddling races, events, festivals, paddlefests, adventure races or triathlons all over the U.S., click here to go to our kayak, canoe & paddling races and events page.

Looking for paddling locations in your state?

Search our places to paddle page for places to kayak or canoe for flatwater or whitewater.  Kayaking and canoeing paddling locations are listed by U.S. State.

Do you have a paddling event, kayak race, canoe race you would like listed on our paddling races and events page? Please use our handy contact form to send us the details.