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Paddling Destinations

Curated guides to the best paddling regions in the US

Crystal clear blue water at Lake Tahoe with pine-covered mountains

Lake Tahoe, CA

Lake Tahoe is one of the most visually stunning paddling destinations in the world. At 6,225 feet elevation, this alpine lake spans the California-Nevada border with water so clear you can see 70 feet to the bottom.

3 water bodiesJune through September
Turquoise alpine lake surrounded by mountain peaks in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, MT

Glacier National Park and the surrounding Flathead Valley offer paddling against a backdrop of jagged peaks, ancient glaciers, and some of the cleanest water in the lower 48. Flathead Lake — the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi — anchors the region, while alpine lakes within the park provide short but unforgettable paddle experiences.

3 water bodiesJune through September
River winding through a forested gorge near Chattanooga, Tennessee

Chattanooga, TN

Chattanooga sits at the bend of the Tennessee River where it cuts through the southern Appalachians, creating the dramatic Tennessee River Gorge. This outdoor-obsessed city offers urban river paddling, gorge exploration, and access to some of the most beautiful reservoir paddling in the Southeast.

3 water bodiesMarch through November
Crystal clear water and mangroves in the Florida Keys

Florida Keys, FL

The Florida Keys are a 120-mile chain of tropical islands stretching from Key Largo to Key West, offering some of the clearest water kayaking in the continental United States. Paddle over coral reefs, through mangrove-lined channels, and across turquoise flats teeming with marine life.

3 water bodiesNovember through May
Limestone bluffs along a clear river in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas

Buffalo National River, AR

The Buffalo National River was America's first national river, and it remains one of the finest free-flowing streams in the lower 48. Winding 135 miles through the Ozark Mountains, the Buffalo carves through towering limestone bluffs, passes ancient caves, and flows past some of the most stunning scenery in the South.

3 water bodiesMarch through October
Mangrove tunnels in the Everglades, Florida

Everglades, FL

The Everglades is North America's premier subtropical paddling destination. Navigate mangrove tunnels, glide across sawgrass prairies, and paddle through the largest protected wilderness east of the Mississippi.

3 water bodiesNovember through April

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