I’m obsessed with getting out on the water when I travel and over the course of my travels have discovered some of the best places to kayak in North America. From the southern bayous and lakes to turquoise glacier water, alpine lakes and desert canyons, this list truly has some of the most stunning places to be paddling on the water.
The Best Places to Kayak in North America
Buffalo Bayou, Texas
This kayaking trail has a little piece of my heart as it’s in the heart of Houston! They don’t call us the Bayou City for nothing. If you’re feeling adventurous and athletic, but also want to be kind of educated, check out Bayou City Adventures for a kayaking tour on Buffalo Bayou or Armando Bayou to learn about the city’s history. You can also rent kayaks by the hour from Lost Lake and fall in love with the downtown skyline. My favorite time of year to paddle Buffalo Bayou is at the annual Buffalo Bayou Regatta in March. I’ve competed three years in a row which involves paddling 15 miles from San Felipe & Voss to Allen’s Landing.
Read more about the Buffalo Bayou Regatta.
Caddo Lake, Louisiana
Kayaking or canoeing at Caddo Lake should be on every Texan’s bucket list. The lake has miles upon miles of canoe trails, one of the largest collections of flooded cypress trees, and even some Sasquatch sightings! Just four hours from Houston, Caddo Lake is the second largest natural lake in the South on the border between Texas and Louisiana. The lake gets its name from the Caddo Native Americans who first lived in the area. The lake has over 50 miles of trails stretching from Texas to Louisiana. Our cottage had a dock and we were easily able to access the water. Over the course of the weekend, we went on three 2-3 hour canoe trips along the following trails: Cathedral, Turtle Shell, and Old Folks Playground. In total it amounted to about 14 leisurely miles.
Read more about my weekend at Caddo Lake.
Lake Tahoe, California
With hiking and skiing at your finger tips, a visit to Lake Tahoe is truly a year-round destination. Depending on where you go, this lake is about an hour away from Reno. Due to its altitude, it’s called the “The Lake in the Sky.” Part Nevada part California, Lake Tahoe has so much water in it that it can cover the entire state of Texas 8 inches deep! The water is 99% pure, so you can often see 75 feet down on calm days. I rented kayaks from Clearly Tahoe Kayaks. The kayaks have clear bottoms and you’re able to cruise around the crystal clear turquoise waters of Tahoe and see down to the bottom. Seeing a rainbow on the water was the highlight of my trip!
Read more about my stay in Tahoe.
Lake Powell, Arizona
I have never seen something so incredible as the contrasting turquoise blue of Lake Powell and the vibrant burnt orange of the Arizona red rocks. Stopping in Page, Arizona, to rent a kayak from Lake Powell Paddleboards and Kayaks was the highlight of my roadtrip from Utah to Texas. We got a kayak for the day for $45 and they strapped it to the top of our car with pool noodles so we could drive the 20 minutes to the marina. After 3 miles, we arrived at Antelope Canyon where the water dried up. We banked our kayak and hiked a bit through the slot canyon. Around mid-day, the sun cast stunning orange, pink, and purple shadows down through the curved rockface. Lake Powell is definitely one the best places to kayak in North America.
Read more about kayaking Lake Powell.
Vermillion Lakes, Alberta
Sparkling glacier waters, lush evergreens and towering snowcapped mountains make for a stunning backdrop to go kayaking in Banff. This Canadian mountain town is a major destination for hiking in the summertime. Kayaking is a great way to get an upper body workout and give the hiking boots a rest. We rented kayaks from Banff Canoe Club and paddled through the Vermillion Lakes in Banff. The marshy area is known for moose and other wildlife sightings. We booked a kayak for $45/hour and had amazing mountain views. Kayaking in Banff is a great alternative to renting canoes from the Fairmont at Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. While picturesque, those can run you $125/hour!
Read more about my week in Banff.
