I love living in the USA despite its issues. We have so many diverse environments and ecosystems that wherever we go, we get to experience a completely different world. Our National Park have some incredible kayaking opportunities on protected waters, and they are some of my favorite places to paddle. These picks for National Park kayaking spots are all very different and show of the beauty of the National Park system.
The United States is home to some of the world’s most beautiful National Parks. We’ve picked 12 National Parks! Each offers its own unique activities and attractions, and a different sort of waterway for kayaking. We’ll describe what you can expect and other things to do in each park. Kayakers will love paddling through these pristine waterways and taking in the natural beauty of our national parks! If you have any questions about a park, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.
Western National Parks for Kayaking
Many famous lakes can be found in the nation’s busiest parks, such as Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park. Just north of there is Glacier National Park which gives options for mountain lake paddling. These are all great for first-timers or those with little experience. Western National Parks have such great spots to get on the water!
NOTE: before you show up to put your kayak in the water in a National Park, confirm whether or not you need to go through an inspection. Most parks have regulations about having ALL watercraft inspected before launching, so don’t get caught up with a fine or transporting an invasive species.
Olympic National Park
My long-time go-to for National Park kayaking, Olympic NP west of Seattle is one of my favorite spots to be on the water and enjoying the mountains. From Lake Crescent to paddling on the Quileute River at La Push, there are some gorgeous spots. Something unique about Olympic National Park is that it has a very large core where you’ll do most of your hiking, and then there are units that are detached from the main area, like Lake Ozette or the beaches.
Throw your kayaks on the car and you’ll find launch sites quite easily. Lake Cushman and Lake Cresent are the two easiest, and the latter has kayak rentals near the Storm King ranger station.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park is home to some of the best kayaking in any National Park. Paddling Magazine ranked the Jackson Hole and Grand Teton area as the number one spot in North America for overall paddling satisfaction. The Snake River has many tributaries and is excellent for various levels of kayaking. The iconic mountains surrounding the area can be seen anywhere in the park. One of the main draws to the area is the wildlife which includes grizzly bears, moose, and elk. We recommend a paddle at Jenny Lake or String Lake. Check out Paddling in Grand Teton National Park for planning a kayak trip.
Note: there are a few kayaking spots in the Tetons that we like that require portaging your kayak from a few yards to a hundred yards. Always check in with a ranger regarding their specific recommendations, especially as weather and water level can impact kayaking in Grand Teton NP.
Where to launch:
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park, located in northern Montana, is another great National Park for kayakers. Glacier is known for its towering mountains, beautiful lakes and forests. The Flathead River runs through Glacier National Park on it’s southern border, and it’s a great place to go kayaking if you like whitewater. The lakes really are the gems of the park though. My favorite is Two Medicine Lake on the east side. There are kayak rentals and the scenery is epic. Also, we’ve seen moose EVERY time we’ve come here.
Be sure to check out our guide to Kayaking in Glacier National Park for all of our recommendations. Being one of our most frequently visited parks, we have a lot of information and recommendations to share for paddling here.
Where to launch:
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the US. It’s known for its geothermal features, wildlife, and hiking trails. Kayaking is a great way to explore the landscape, the geysers, and the wildlife! There are many different lakes and rivers to explore in Yellowstone, so you’ll be able to find the perfect spot to paddle your kayak. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears, bison, elk, and deer!
*SUP friendly
Where to launch:
Point Reyes National Seashore
If you’re over on the West Coast, Point Reyes National Seashore in California is a popular location for sea kayaking. Forested ridges and long sandy beaches characterize the striking Pacific coastline. The wildlife is abundant, attracting many birds to the area. A paddle here isn’t without its challenges, so check wind and water conditions before heading out. You can launch from Hearts Desire Beach.
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park is located on the Kenai Peninsula, just two hours from Anchorage. The scenery is spectacular, with gorgeous snowcapped mountains, tidewater glaciers, and abundant marine life. Off the water, the opportunities for play are endless, with various trails for hiking and biking and so much wildlife.
You’ll have a few options for kayaking at Kenai Fjords National Park. You can book a tour and paddle at Fox Island in Resurrection Bay or do a tour that takes you rather close to a tidewater glacier. There are also guides that do a combo of kayaking and hiking in Kenai Fjords. I love this park and will happily paddle any time!
Sunny Cove Kayaking does a variety of kayak tours out of Seward for different levels of experience, interests and amount of time you want to be out. And the people are great. 🙂 Here are some tour options to get out with Sunny Cove:
- Resurrection Bay Waterfall & Rainforest Adventure
- Resurrection Bay Half-Day Tours
- Caines Head Kayak & Hike Adventure – Booking Request
Kayaking in Arid (Desert) National Parks
Part of the joy of kayaking in National Parks is how remote you can get. With this comes the need for either solid experience and preparation or a guide. Whether you’re paddling in the Grand Canyon or hitting the water in New River Gorge NP, there are some waterways that are best left to the avid technical paddler. Remember, safety first! When it comes to the more arid National Parks, you might be surprised at the kayaking opportunities. Arizona, Utah and Texas have some wonderful places to paddle.
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is a beautiful national park located in Utah. The Colorado and Green Rivers carved the landscapes in the area and offer miles of flat waterways. Those looking for whitewater adrenaline should head to the confluence of the rivers at Cataract Canyon with class III-V rapids. But don’t worry, there is plenty of flat water to enjoy.
There are quite a few rafting outfitters around the Moab and Green River areas, and I prefer to stick with the pros when there are rapids I’m not familiar with. Of course there are some stretches in this part of Utah that are smooth and easily navigable, but you still need to consider the elements and terrain for kayaking in Canyonlands National Park.
To launch on either the Green or Colorado rivers, all launch ramps are outside park boundaries. Launch locations on the Green River include Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch or Mineral Bottom. On the Colorado River, boaters typically use the Potash or Moab ramps. If you’re planning an overnight trip, be sure to check in with the Park and get your permit.
Great Basin National Park
Great Basin National Park is a beautiful national park located in Nevada. It’s known for its mountains, forests, and wildlife. It is also home to six subalpine lakes and some beautiful creeks, making it a great place to go hiking, and then if you want to portage your kayak or have a compact hiking-yak, to do some paddling on either Teresa or Stella Lakes. This park is quiet and pretty, but the kayaking ISN’T epic. It’s a place to go for a quiet sit in the middle of some small lakes. This is a great park to avoid crowds as it only receives 90,000 annual visitors.
I will say, Great Basin NP is a park of extremes. In the winter it is CRISP and COLD and in the summer you’ll get some sweltering heat. Whenever you choose to visit, just be sure to be appropriately prepared for your National Park kayaking day. Check in with rangers regarding closed waters and current safety concerns. You’ll need to have your own kayaking gear as there are no rentals in the park. Also, if you’re using an Oru Kayak or inflatable, keep in mind that heave gear is a pain to hike with in the heat.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the US. It’s also one of the most popular kayaking destinations in the country for ADVENTUROUS people. The Grand Canyon is a vast canyon that the Colorado River carved out over millions of years. It’s truly a sight to behold! When you’re kayaking through the Grand Canyon, you’ll be able to take in some of the most breathtaking views in North America.
All kayaking here requires a permit due to the overnight nature of nearly all launches. If you’re not doing a guided trip, the options for getting on the Colorado River within Grand Canyon National Park are all a minimum of two days on the water. Trips launch from Diamond Creek (river mile 225) take 2 to 5 days, and you need to know what you’re doing! You need to make it to either South Cove or Pearce Ferry. The bottom of the canyon gets insanely hot and you need to be well versed in packing for an overnight paddle!
Note: not that you’d just plan on showing up and putting in on the Colorado River, but you can’t just do that. There is a lottery system for permits to paddle in the Grand Canyon
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park offers diverse landscapes in the southwest corner of Texas, including mountains, deserts, canyons, and the Rio Grande River. It is an understatement to say it is massive; the area covers over a million acres of land. Paddlers come to kayak through the numerous canyons that dot the area. Our recommendations include Boquillas Canyon, Mariscal Canyon, Lower Canyons, and Santa Elena Canyons.
Be sure to stop into the Rio Grande Village Visitor Center for current information regarding water levels and any restrictions around kayaking.
East Coast National Park Kayaking
One of the cool things about kayaking in East Coast National Parks is how varied they are. Some of them provide opportunities for kayaking at historic forts while others are all about up close wildlife encounters. Here you’ll find quite a few recommendations for paddling in the Southeast (because we live here) and Acadia National Park. You’ll have a great time wherever you choose.
Everglades National Park
The subtropical Everglades National Park is a paddler paradise. It’s one of my favorite places to go kayaking and it never gets old. Its shorelines get you on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. The trail between Everglades City and Flamingo is the ideal way to get through the park, requiring detailed planning. We recommend going through an outfitter to help secure backcountry permits and help inform you of section areas.
You can paddle on your own though. Kayaking in the 10,000 Islands part of Everglades National Park is amazing and you won’t believe the wildlife and beautiful places you’ll visit. The first time we paddled here our kids were beyond thrilled at how interactive the dolphins were and the size of the shells we came across.
You can paddle in Everglades National Park from either the Gulf Coast Visitor Center or the Flamingo Visitor Center. I do hope you plan this trip. You’ll love it!
Fort Pulaski National Monument
Located in Savannah, Georgia, Fort Pulaski National Monument is a Civil War era fort with a lighthouse and tidal marshlands. Kayaking here is pretty simple with one launch and route. From the Lazaetto Creek Boat Launch, you can easily paddle the tidal river and explore. Head east and round the corner to check out the Cocksput Island Lighthouse. Watch for roseate spoonbills, dolphins and more on this beautiful National Park kayaking trip.
Canaveral National Seashore
There are so many kayaking opportunities at Canaveral National Seashore. This park is paired up with Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, so you know it going to be good. Watch for manatees, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles and so many different birds when you’re kayaking here. Also, since Hurricane Idalia in 2023 there has bene a flock of flamingos here. They move around, but if you check at the visitor center for either Canaveral National Seashore or Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge they’ll be able to tell you where the flamingos were last seen.
Congaree National Park
Located in South Carolina, Congaree National Park is known for its cypress swamps and hardwood bottomlands. Paddlers will go on the 16-mile-long Cedar Creek Canoe Trail, which can be done over a couple of days. A paddle will take you through thick swamplands home to some of the oldest trees in the nation. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as alligators, deer, herons, and turtles.
For where to launch for kayaking at Congaree NP, try the Cedar Creek Canoe Launch / Kingsnake Trailhead. Keep in mind, the waters of Congaree fluctuate with rains, and they have some interesting obstacles in any season. You’ll love kayaking in the cypress forest, but be safe and don’t get yourself stuck.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
I have to include the Castillo de San Marcos because this is here in my home town and I love getting to paddle here. Kayaking at the Castillo isn’t as easy as driving up to the seawall and putting your craft in the water. Launch from the Vilano Boat Ramp and paddle on Medicine Creek into St Augustine Bay. You’ll be able to paddle along the front of the coquina walled fortress, and then even pull into the historic launch to climb the old stairs up to the fort. If you’re kayaking in front of the Castillo de San Marcos on a weekend, you may be stopped by the Park Rangers, as they don’t allow you to paddle by when they are doing canon fire.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park is a beautiful national park located in Maine. Known for its stunning coastline, mountains, and forests, Acadia is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature lovers. It’s also a great place to go kayaking! Acadia National Park‘s coastline is breathtaking, with rocky cliffs, crashing waves, and beautiful scenery.
One of the cool things about kayaking at Acadia NP is that you have both lakes and ocean for paddling. Jordan Pond, Long Pond, Eagle Lake and Echo Lake are all options within the bounds of the park. If you want to paddle on the salt water around Mount Desert Island (where most of Acadia is located) you’ve got Seal Cove, Bass Harbor, Seal Harbor Beach, Hadley Point, Bar Island Gravel Bar for launch points. There are also quite a few tours for kayaking at Acadia National Park. It’s such a beautiful place!
Need to Know for National Parks in the US
Most US National Parks require an entry fee. This can be covered by the National Parks Pass or you can pay at an entry port or visitor center. Many parks also require a permit for paddling if you’re doing an overnight trip, but most day trips for kayaking in National Parks are okay without permits. Check with your prospective park for details.
Get your National Parks Pass here!
Also, most parks require a watercraft inspection before launching. The rules of this are that the kayak, boat, canoe or paddleboard are dry, clean and free of debris that could bring in invasive species. This is extremely important!
Are you excited to get on the water for some kayaking in National Parks? I hope so. I love our parks and have had so many great experiences. If you have any questions about a park, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more.
