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.

Everglades National Park is the Third largest National Park in the lower 48 States. There are many opportunities throughout the park to explore with your own kayak or canoe or with a rented kayak or canoe. There are also several Ranger guided canoe programs.

Flamingo Canoe Trails

The Flamingo Canoe Trails offers kayaking & canoeing opportunities through freshwater marsh, mangrove swamp, and the open waters of Florida Bay. Kayaking and Canoeing trips range from a few hours to several days. Paddling trails range from 1.9 miles to 11.5 miles.

Here are a few of Flamingo Canoe Trails:

Nine Mile Pond Canoe Trail

A five mile loop, marked with 116 numbered white PVC Pipes.

Hells Bay Canoe Trail

This is a Sheltered route that weaves through mangrove lined creeks and ponds to a series of small bays.  5.5 mile one way to Hells Bay Chickee. This is an in and out trail, that is marked by more than 160 numbered white PVC pipes. .

Gulf Coast Area Canoe Trips

Paddling the Turner River or Half Way Creek.

The Turner River:The trip begins off of US 41 in Big Cypress National Preserve. The river winds its way through a variety of habitats; fresh water of the cypress swamp, sawgrass prairies, and  saltwater mangrove forests. This trip ends in the salt water of Chokoloskee Bay.

Halfway Creek and Turner River Loop: Paddling starts at the ranger station. Paddle to Chokoloskee Island or return to the ranger station.

Here are some Ranger Guided Canoe Programs.

 

Search our Places to Paddle Florida page to find more places to go kayaking and canoeing in Florida.

 

Looking for kayaking locations or canoeing locations in your state?

 

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