The next time you grab for your hiking boots, think twice—and grab your water shoes instead. The best way to experience the outdoors this summer is via something much more fun than your own two feet: your kayak or canoe. All these places guarantee good, wet fun and accessible camping. Hiking shoes optional.
KAYAK
Prince William Sound, Alaska
With more than 3,500 miles of pristine coastline, this remote region of Alaska is accessible only by water. Take a water taxi from Valdez or Whittier to any spot of beach where you choose to begin your journey. Cracking icebergs will be your soundtrack as you keep your eyes peeled for whales. Experienced captains can paddle to Columbia Glacier, an ice river, and see the second-largest tidewater glacier in North America. Here you can experience kayaking through deep, cold water with extreme tides and conditions. Both official and unofficial campsites are sprinkled throughout the area, so the possibilities for overnighting are endless. Ask your water taxi outfitter for maps and details. www.dnr.state.ak.us
CANOE
Edisto River, South Carolina
One of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in the world, the Edisto is known for its dark tea color and 250 miles of calm waters, running from the middle of the state all the way to the Atlantic Ocean at Edisto Beach. Ideal for canoeists, the popular Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail is a 56-mile stretch of the river, from mile 50 to mile 105, designated to preserving its natural beauty; it has no rapids, whitewater, or dams. This section takes about 15 hours to travel. Break it down into multiple days, stopping to camp along the Edisto’s sandy shores. With a little luck, you might even see an alligator! Access points for the river are scattered throughout South Carolina; to specifically paddle the trail, put in at Whetstone Crossroads (US 21) and get out at Long Creek Landing (S-15-91). With two cars to shuttle, you can start and end your trip virtually anywhere. River flow averages 2 to 4 miles per hour—a perfect cruising speed. www.sctrails.net
KAYAK or CANOE
Upper Missouri River, Montana
Three different segments of this class I river allow you to structure a trip from two to six days. The entire Upper Missouri River flows through the northern portion of Montana, beginning near Great Falls, and connects with the Missouri River to the east. The first segment of the Upper Missouri—the “Upper River”—is 42 miles long, beginning in Fort Benton. A perfect two-day trip, this section runs faster than the rest, and though it’s lined with private land there are still a number of designated campsites, legal for canoers to stop for the night. The next section, the “White Cliffs of the Missouri,” is the most popular stretch, with straight-flowing river, 300-foot cliffs, and numerous Indian habitation sites along the banks. The last segment, the “Badlands of the Upper Missouri,” is the longest at 61 miles. It takes you to the James Kipp Recreation Area at the boundary of the Upper Missouri, is by far the least-traveled portion of the river, and remains the most rugged. With tons of hiking trails and wildlife viewing, this section is best done as a six-day trip. www.uppermissouri.com
CANOE
Black Canyon, Nevada/Arizona
Delineating the Nevada/Arizona border is the Colorado River, and just below Hoover Dam is the Black Canyon, a stretch of river appropriately named for the area’s black volcanic rock. Though there are no rapids on this section of the Colorado, the water can move swiftly at times, depending on the releases from the dam. Park at one of the many access sites and paddle upstream from there, or shuttle cars for a point-to-point downriver run. There are numerous geothermal attractions along the way, such as hot springs and a sauna cave a short walk from the banks. Launching at Willow Beach, 12 miles downriver from Hoover Dam, will allow you to spend a few days paddling against the current for a nice workout, so once you’ve reached the end of the road (or the dam) you can turn around and float eff ortlessly all the way back to where you started. Or you can put in at the dam and float 63 miles to the take-out at Lake Mojave. www.desertriveroutfi tters.com
KAYAK
San Juan Islands, Washington
Protected from Pacific swells and storms by Vancouver Island, these boundary waters offer ideal paddling conditions in the safety of the calm, flat Puget Sound, an intricate arm of the Pacific that reaches up to 50 miles inland, stretching from the Admiralty Inlet to Olympia, Washington. Explore any one or all three of the San Juan Islands, as they all have camping accessible via water. At only 29.5 square miles, Lopez is the smallest of the islands and the most rural. Spend your evenings mingling with the resident artists, musicians, and farmers. The largest of the islands, Orcas, contains Moran State Park, with more than 30 miles of hiking trails and fi ve lakes for swimming and fi shing. The namesake San Juan Island is home to a pod of more than 90 orca whales, which you are likely to see during the summer months. On San Juan you can also go scuba diving, visit art galleries, or take in the community theater. The best nooks and crannies of these coastlines are all accessible via kayak. www.guidetosanjuans.com
Five Things You Can’t Camp on the Water Without
Drybags. Make sure any non-waterproof valuables, along with some warm clothes, are packed properly in drybags so no matter how wet you get, your important stuff will stay dry.
Smart food packaging. Things like glass jars and bottles can weigh down your boat (and give you a lot to pack out), so bring meals in packaging that’s light and can be compacted once the food has been eaten.
Waterproof maps. You can stick a waterproof map of the coastline and campsites in the bungees on top of your boat for easy access, and you won’t have to worry about them getting ruined.
Booties or water shoes. Getting in and out of your boat on rocky beaches can do a number on your feet. Water-friendly shoes will protect your feet and dry out quickly.
Trash bags. For added waterproofing for large items like sleeping bags, trash bags can give you a little extra protection in a pinch. They also work as a makeshift rain poncho or rain fly for a leaky tent.
