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    Looking for the best kayaking in United States? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around United States. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

    Top Kayaking Spots in and near United States

    • Dayton, Montana

      Kayak to Wild Horse Island

      5.0
      There are many boat ramps to access Flathead Lake, but the closest location to Wild Horse Island is Dayton, MT. Dayton offers easy access with only about a 1-hour paddle to the island for the novice kayakers. Unfortunately, the boat ramp in Dayton does not have room for parking, thus it is only a...
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    • Olanta, South Carolina

      Hike the Nature Trail at Woods Bay State Park

      4.0
      1 mi
      Carolina Bays go by different names. In the Mid Atlantic they're known as Maryland Basins or Delmarva Bays. Sometimes they're generically referred to as pocosins, an Algonquin word for "swamp on a hill." But these elliptical depressions don't always contain bodies of water; instead they derive th...
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    • Bigfork, Montana

      Swim in Graves Bay Swimming Hole

      To get to this swimming hole you drive south from Hungry Horse on the West Side Road (Forest Road 895) 33.6 miles to the Graves Creek Campground. Park in the small parking lot with the bear box and outhouse, opposite the campground closer to the lake. Follow the path as it leads you past the casc...
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    • Plumas County, California

      Camp at Last Chance Creek Campground on Lake Almanor

      This PG&E campsite is located on the northern most inlet of Lake Almanor and is slightly more remote than the other sites around Lake Almanor. The campground offers spectacular views and easy access to great fishing. To get there, head east out of the town of Chester on Highway 36. After cros...
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    • Biloxi, Mississippi

      Kayak Camp on Deer Island

      5.0
      Having once been part of the mainland, Deer Island is no more than a 5-minute paddle from Biloxi Beach. The island has been lengthened hundreds of feet in the past decade to protect against hurricane damage. Breakwaters/berms have also been created to reduce the effects of erosion on the island. ...
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    • Kodak, Tennessee

      Kayak Seven Island Wildlife Refuge

      5.0
      Begin your trip by putting your kayak in the water at Kelly Lane. The parking area is large and grassy. The trip is 4 miles and takes about two hours. On your journey you will have views of flower fields and rock walls. Once you get to the island paddle around and see the wildlife. There is a sec...
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    • Clarkesville, Georgia

      Paddle Lake Burton

      3.0
      Lake Burton is, in my opinion, Georgia's most scenic large lake.  It is completely surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and has some of the clearest water in the state.  Moccasin Creek State Park is a great launching point for all of your paddling adventures, whether you own your own vessel or ...
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    • Vernon, Florida

      Freedive at Cypress Spring

      5.0
      Cypress Spring is only accessible by water due to it being surrounded by private property, so bring your canoe, kayak, SUP, or boat to one of the many landings along Holmes Creek. The shortest and easiest way to get to the spring is to launch your vessel at Cotton Landing. From there, it is a sho...
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    • Redding, California

      Houseboat Lake Shasta

      1 mi / 1 ft gain
      Lake Shasta sits at the foot of infamous Mt Shasta, past the major Northern California city of Redding. From the Bay Area you can count on at least a 3.5 hour drive to get to waters edge, but the drive goes by quickly just cruising on HWY 5. There are multiple Marinas on Shasta but the largest is...
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    • Loon Lake, Washington

      Kayak Deer Lake

      5.0
      Deer Lake is a hidden cache of awesomeness in the mountains of eastern Washington. The lake expands a sizeable 1,146 acres, giving you plenty of room to explore with your kayak.Aside from the Deer Lake Resort and one public boat launch provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, t...
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    • Ochopee, Florida

      Paddle The Everglades' Wilderness Waterway

      The Wilderness Waterway in the Everglades National Park can be navigated either by kayak or canoe. This is an endurance voyage that typically takes upwards of 10 days if you are solo-canoeing. The voyage can take significantly less time if using a kayak or a multi-person powered canoe. This route...
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    • Clarks Hill, South Carolina

      Kayak the Savannah River at Thurmond Dam and Lake

      Starting at Thurmond Dam, drop your kayak in just below the dam and travel down the Savannah River. There are a couple places to you can choose to end your adventure:The first, and closest, is Riverside Park. Around the 7 mile mark downstream, Riverside park is a right hand turn towards a boat ra...
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    • Robbinsville, North Carolina

      Paddle The Cheoah River

      5.0
      The Cheoah River is a dam controlled section of whitewater that has become one of the "bucket runs" for Western, North Carolina. Located near Robbinsville, NC, the Cheoah is a non-stop class IV+ classic of constant gradient that delivers a Southeastern whitewater experience like no other. There ...
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    • Eastsound, Washington

      Kayaking at Point Doughty State Park

      The easiest way to explore this area is through Outer Island Excursions, which offers a 3-hour kayaking tour from Smuggler’s Villa Resort on Orcas Island (they also offer various tours of the surrounding islands).The tour begins with a paddle down the North Shore of Orcas Island to Point Doughty ...
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    • Bayfield, Wisconsin

      Kayak around Madeline Island

      Unless you're kayaking directly to Madeline Island, you can pick up the ferry in Bayfield and rent kayaks in La Pointe. If you're getting there with your own, start at Big Bay State Park and paddle to the south side of the island to see the sea caves. Then head back to the beach at Big Bay for l...
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    • Friday Harbor, Washington

      Kayak Camp on Jones Island

      2.0
      The San Juan Islands are a gorgeous collection of islands situated 90 miles from Seattle. While most people enjoy the island at B&Bs, and join one of the dozen whale watching tours, the hands down best way to see the islands is by kayaking.Jones Island is a great place to set as your initial ...
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