Paddling in Alaska

Explore 244 kayak launches, boat ramps, and paddling destinations across Alaska.

244 locations89 Rivers70 Lakes65 Oceans

Best Paddling in Alaska

Read our comprehensive guide to the top paddling destinations in Alaska →

Solo kayaker on a misty river through old-growth Pacific Northwest forest

Upper Skilak Boat Launch

Alaska

RiverKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky

Crescent Harbor

Alaska · ~0 mi from Port Alexander

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Douglas Harbor

Alaska · ~0 mi from Douglas

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Pelican

Alaska · ~0 mi from Pelican

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Robert Savikko Park

Alaska · ~0 mi from Douglas

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
white boat on sea near mountain view

Seldovia Boat Ramp

Alaska · ~0 mi from Seldovia

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
white boat on sea near mountain view

Whittier

Alaska · ~0 mi from Whittier

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a boat sailing in the water

Auke Bay

Alaska · ~1 mi from Auke Bay

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
Seagull flies over icy water near mountains.

Metlakatla

Alaska · ~1 mi from Metlakatla

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Seldovia Church Beach

Alaska · ~1 mi from Seldovia

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky

Port Wakefield

Alaska · ~1 mi from Port Lions

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Refuge Cove

Alaska · ~1 mi from Ward Cove

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Sand Point

Alaska · ~1 mi from Sand Point

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
Seagull flies over icy water near mountains.

Sealing Cove Harbor

Alaska · ~1 mi from Port Alexander

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky

Thane

Alaska · ~1 mi from Douglas

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
Jagged coastal cliffs with evergreen trees and ocean waves

Unalakleet River

Alaska · ~1 mi from Unalakleet

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

North Cove Harbor

Alaska · ~1 mi from Craig

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
person riding on jon boat during daytime

Shoemaker Bay

Alaska · ~1 mi from Wrangell

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Bar Harbor

Alaska · ~1 mi from Ketchikan

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a boat sailing in the water

False Island

Alaska · ~1 mi from Craig

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Northeast Harbor

Alaska · ~2 mi from Seward

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Heritage Harbor

Alaska · ~2 mi from Wrangell

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky

Klawock

Alaska · ~2 mi from Klawock

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Seaplane Launch

Alaska · ~2 mi from Ward Cove

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Southwest Harbor

Alaska · ~2 mi from Seward

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Thorne Bay

Alaska · ~2 mi from Thorne Bay

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Unimak Island False Pass

Alaska · ~2 mi from False Pass

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
person riding on jon boat during daytime

Wrangell

Alaska · ~2 mi from Wrangell

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Portage Cove Harbor

Alaska · ~3 mi from Kake

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a boat sailing in the water

Inner Harbor

Alaska · ~3 mi from Kodiak

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
person riding on jon boat during daytime

Lutak Inlet

Alaska · ~3 mi from Haines

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Near Island

Alaska · ~3 mi from Kodiak

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Haines

Alaska · ~4 mi from Haines

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
A boat in a large body of water with mountains in the background

Herring Cove

Alaska · ~4 mi from Sitka

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Homer Spit Community

Alaska · ~4 mi from Homer

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

North Douglas

Alaska · ~4 mi from Juneau

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water surrounded by mountains under a cloudy sky

Whiskey Gulch

Alaska · ~4 mi from Anchor Point

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Yakutat

Alaska · ~4 mi from Yakutat

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
Jagged coastal cliffs with evergreen trees and ocean waves

Homer

Alaska · ~4 mi from Homer

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
Jagged coastal cliffs with evergreen trees and ocean waves

Anchor River State Recreation Area

Alaska · ~5 mi from Anchor Point

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Park Road

Alaska · ~5 mi from Gustavus

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Knudson Cove

Alaska · ~5 mi from Ward Cove

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Manley Hot Springs Landing 1

Alaska · ~2 mi from Manley Hot Springs

SpringKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Mountain Point

Alaska · ~5 mi from Coffman Cove

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
A boat in a large body of water with mountains in the background

Starrigavin Bay

Alaska · ~6 mi from Port Alexander

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a couple of animals swimming in a body of water

Hoonah

Alaska · ~7 mi from Hoonah

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Anton Larson

Alaska · ~7 mi from Ouzinkie

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a person in a green kayak in a body of water

Hyder

Alaska · ~5 mi from Hyder

CanalKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Letnikof Cove

Alaska · ~8 mi from Haines

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
aerial photography of body of water surrounded by trees

Skagway

Alaska · ~1 mi from Skagway

InletKayakingCanoeingBeginner
person riding on jon boat during daytime

South Cove Harbor

Alaska · ~7 mi from Petersburg

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Amalga Harbor

Alaska · ~9 mi from Auke Bay

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
green mountains and green trees near lake under blue sky during daytime

Aleknagik

Alaska · ~0 mi from Aleknagik

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Chilkat Inlet

Alaska · ~9 mi from Haines

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
brown trees near lake and snow covered mountain during daytime

Lucile Lake

Alaska · ~0 mi from Wasilla

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
green mountains and green trees near lake under blue sky during daytime

Johnson Lake

Alaska · ~2 mi from Kasilof

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a large body of water with mountains in the background

Kalisof Harbor

Alaska · ~5 mi from Kasilof

InletKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a group of kayaks sitting on top of a rocky beach

Mirror Lake Park

Alaska · ~2 mi from Chugiak

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner
a body of water with boats in it and mountains in the back

Halibut Cove Lagoon

Alaska · ~12 mi from Homer

OceanSea KayakingSUPBeginner
gray kayak on body of water

Kenai Lake

Alaska · ~3 mi from Cooper Landing

LakeKayakingCanoeingBeginner

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I kayak in Alaska?

Alaska has 244 public kayak launch points listed on The Paddling Hub. Popular water body types include rivers, lakes, oceans, bays, creeks.

Are there beginner-friendly paddling spots in Alaska?

Yes! Many of the 244 beginner-rated locations in Alaska offer calm waters and easy boat ramp access, making them perfect for new paddlers.

Do I need a permit to kayak in Alaska?

Permit requirements vary by location. Most public boat ramps in Alaska are free to access, though some state parks may charge an entrance or parking fee. Check individual location details for specific requirements.