12 Breathtaking Places to Go Kayaking in the USA

Sign up for a guided kayak tour to explore Lake Powell in northern Arizona and meander through deep slot canyons, including flooded portions of famous Antelope Canyon. Marvel at towering sandstone cliffs, and camp under the stars on an overnight kayaking trip.

Ninety minutes north of Tampa, Florida, in Rainbow Springs State Park, kayak on the Rainbow River, which is fed by a first-magnitude spring. Float past shores lined with towering cypress trees, sunning turtles and showy shorebirds. The water – a refreshing 22 degrees Celsius year-round – is so clear, you’ll feel like you’re suspended in midair.

Paddle on Lake Estes in the town of Estes Park, Colorado, adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park. See spectacular views of snow-capped mountains reflected in the lake’s pristine blue water. Pull your kayak up on shore to enjoy a picnic and snap some photos.

Kayak in Monterey Bay, south of San Francisco, to enjoy views of Cannery Row, made famous by author John Steinbeck. Watch for abundant wildlife – sea lions, seals and otters entertain, and humpbacks and other whales may swim past offshore.

See the nation’s capital from the water – kayak down the Potomac River around Theodore Roosevelt Island and past the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. See the Georgetown waterfront, D.C. skyline and cityscape of Arlington, Virginia.

Paddle under a new moon through seemingly magical bioluminescence in Laguna Grande in Fajardo, near the east end of the island. The calm water glows when microorganisms are stirred up by kayaks or paddles. You can also kayak on two other bioluminescent bays in Puerto Rico, including Mosquito Bay on the nearby island of Vieques and La Parguera in Lajas on the island’s southwest coast.

Go sea kayaking among the history-filled Boston Harbor Islands, which are near the city but feel remote. In the inner harbor, find more historical sites and calmer waters; the outer islands offer privacy and untouched landscapes. Tour lighthouses and ruins of forts, and spend the night in a yurt.

Join a guided tour in Ely, Minnesota, and go kayaking in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Deer, moose, otters, bald eagles and loons live in the dense pine forests and network of glacial lakes and streams that make up this huge wilderness area.

Paddle in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, a sheltered bay and one of Hawaii’s calmer places to kayak. Spot parrotfish and mahi-mahi on the two barrier reefs, wander the sandbar that’s exposed at low tide and pull the kayak up on the white-sand beach with views of Pyramid Rock.

Go sea kayaking around rocky outcroppings in the San Juan Islands and into open water in search of orcas. Sightings of this largest member of the dolphin family peak in July and August. Take the family kayaking in protected waters to check out the tide pools and watch for bald eagles and harbor seals.

Adventurers visiting Idaho can find plenty of exciting excursions in the Hagerman Valley, nestled against the Snake River. Check out Blue Heart Springs, whose striking blue waters and heart shaped basin make for a truly special lagoon outing. This area is only accessible by boat, making the trip feel like a magical escape into a hidden oasis.

Just outside the charming Southern town of Summersville, West Virginia, you’ll find the scenic Summersville Lake. Beginner paddlers will enjoy the ease of flatwater paddling, while even the most seasoned kayakers will be charmed by stunning views of sheer cliffs and West Virginia’s only lighthouse.