How to choose good kayaking locations.

First you will need to ask yourself a few questions:

What is your kayaking experience?

What type of water do you enjoy kayaking on? Whitewater or flat water?

Do you like calm water like a lake or pond or do you like water with a little movement like a river with class I or II rapids?

In most cases you don’t have to drive very far to reach a good kayaking location. You may not realize it, but you may have more good kayaking locations near your home than you think; you just haven’t discovered them yet.

When searching for a good kayaking location you may want to look for paddling trails called Blueways.  Blueways are becoming more and more popular and you can find them in many states all over the U.S.

What to kayak on:

Lakes or Ponds

Kayaking on a lake or pond is a little easier than kayaking on a river or stream. Generally when you kayak on a lake or a pond your put in and take out point will be the same. You will park your car in the parking lot, put your kayak in at the boat access and paddle around enjoying the wildlife and scenery.  When you’re done you take your kayak out at the same access point. This is also a great place to teach a new paddler how to kayak.

With a lake or pond you can gauge your paddle time a little more accurately. If you have an hour to kayak you can paddle around and then start heading back to the boat access when you have to leave.

Rivers or Creeks

Rivers and creeks are a little more challenging to kayak on. Generally where you put in your kayak would not be where you take out.  You will also need to have two cars, one at the put in and one at the take out. Water levels can change with rainfall making the river faster or slower. If the river is too low you may have to get out and pull your kayak through the shallow areas.

Where to kayak:

State Parks

One place to look for a good kayaking location is State Parks or National Parks.  Many parks allow kayaking on their lakes, ponds, and rivers. Some have Blueways.

State and National Parks may:

Offer guided paddles

Charge a boat or car fee

Offer kayak rentals

Not allow private boats

Have boat access ramps

County

Another place to look for a good kayaking location is your county or town in which you live. Do you have a lake or river winding through your town? You can call or check your county or town’s website to see if they have boat access ramps and parking for your car.

You may also like to search our places to paddle page to find good kayaking locations all over the United States.

Pinellas County, on Florida’s west coast offers awesome paddle experiences for all skill level paddlers, kayak and canoe.

Miles and miles of water trail take paddlers along the coastline, in and around Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Numerous points of interest along the way offer opportunites to explore the areas beautiful beaches, stop at historical spots such as lighthouses and fishing villages, and discover the rich marine and estuary ecosystems of the region.

Multiple trips can be made, each unique with a variety of sights, durations and paddling levels of skill.

Pinellas County has done a great job of describing each individual trail and trip on their blueways websit. You can link to that site by clicking here to visit our Places to Paddle in Florida page.

If You Go…Let Us Know! Click here to send us a note about the Pinellas County Blueway and we may publish your report right here on BornToPaddle.com!

For more information on kayak and canoe events, please check our BornToPaddle.com Kayak & Canoe – Races & Events Calendar pages.

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