One of the best ways to experience a place and get away from crowds is on the water. RVing gives you access to innumerable bodies of water. And kayaking allows you to get out into the natural environment — all without having to share a narrow trail or path with thousands of other people. Which is why RVing and kayaking go so well together. There are so many spring kayak spots to drop your boat in for a day. Or, even more adventurous, you could leave your RV behind for several days and stay at paddle-in campsites that allow you to experience some more remote wilderness areas.
We’ve lived full-time on the road since 2012. In that time, our vintage camper, Hamlet, has put in a lot of miles. But so have our boats. In fact, our kayaks have traveled over 200,000 miles to 49 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces as we’ve explored this gorgeous North American continent.
Depending on the type of kayaking you’d like to do, you have many options. These range from rivers to inland lakes and the open waters of the ocean. What follows are just a few of our favorite spring kayak spots, and we’re certain you’ll love them too.
Saltwater Spring Kayak Spots
Island Hopping Along the Maine Coast
Maine – Late Spring to Early Summer
The “Vacationland” of Maine includes over 4,000 islands located in its Gulf, and boasts one of the longest coastlines of any state in the nation. While it can still be pretty chilly in the early to mid spring, the later spring can offer some gorgeous days without the crowds or heavy lobster boat traffic. (Remember that water is always cold — even in the height of summer.) While Mt. Desert Island and the Porcupine Islands are popular places to kayak while visiting Acadia National Park, the entire coast of Maine offers one beautiful inlet to explore after the next.
If you are new to kayaking, local guide services offer both small group and private tours which highlight the best sights of this spectacular coast. Or, bring your own kayak and create a multiday kayak camping adventure on the numerous public islands in the area.
Tips: The Maine Island Trail Association is a great resource for locating public islands and getting maps of the area. Get to know the tides as they can be extreme, where you can expect to be able to land at various tide levels, and watch out for lobster boats!
Subtropical Shores of Southern Florida
Florida – Late Winter to Early Spring
After a long winter with freezing temperatures, no spring trip can really compare to the warm relief of a wilderness trip to the Everglades in Florida. While most people think of the “River of Grass” and a flat bottomed fan boat skimming above the surface, a multitude of deserted beaches actually pervade here.
Adventures in your kayak could last from a few hours to a few weeks. Paddle the inside routes threading between islands of mangrove trees and camp at “chickees” (elevated platforms) along the way. Or take the outside route and find some of the Gulf Coast’s most pristine beaches on the most seaward islands. These barriers between Gulf and inland fresh water take a pounding during storm season and create an ideal sandy camping spot.
Biscayne Bay National Park offers ideal paddling conditions on the Atlantic side of the Florida peninsula. The protected waters of the bay allow paddlers to explore mangrove covered islands, shipwrecks, or overnight camping experiences.
Tips: Winter (November through March) is the best season to experience the tip of Florida, as soon as the likelihood of hurricanes has diminished. Check out the local paddling guides that operate in each park to discover what might be of interest, or head straight to the national park ranger stations to secure your paddling permits.
More Than Meets the Eye in Mono Lake
California – Late Spring to Early Summer
Just east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, lies one of the most unique lakes we’ve ever paddled. Situated inland near the California/Nevada border, you might expect this lake to be fresh water, but the nature of its location and the water flowing into it (with no exits) has created one of the most alkaline and salty inland lakes you may ever encounter.
Along the southwestern shoreline are fascinating Tufa formations. Kayaking near these formations allows you a much closer look at the nesting osprey who return to their spring homes every year. Bring your binoculars, though, as it’s important to give the birds the space they need. (At least 300 feet, so about the length of a football field.) They will definitely let you know if you get too close!
Tips: Stop at the Mono Lake Visitor Center for more information and education about the area. This is a remote lake with plenty of boondocking and camping nearby. Winds pick up in the afternoon, so it’s best to get on the water early and off the water before noon. Come prepared with fresh water to rinse your boats and gear as they will be covered in white deposits after kayaking.
Wildlife Lover’s Refuge at Point Reyes
California – Late Winter to Early Spring
Just a few hours drive to the north and west of San Francisco Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore offers a wide variety of paddling opportunities for all skill levels. The protected waters of Tomales Bay, on the east side of Point Reyes offer abundant paddling opportunities, from a lazy afternoon to an adventurous overnight. Be sure to check out Drakes Beach to view Elephant Seals by the thousands! (Note: This area near this beach and all of Drakes Estero Marine Sanctuary are only open to paddling from July 1 to February 28 to protect seal populations.)
The ocean side of the point provides the experienced paddler with challenging surf and wind potential, so know your skill set. Most paddlers will stick to the relatively protected waters of Drake’s Bay, but be aware of seasonal closures.
While there are few RV camping opportunities nearby, and none within Point Reyes, Bodega Dunes Campground is less than 40 miles away and offers stunning camping and additional boating opportunities.
Tips: The National Seashore has some excellent resources for kayaking in the area. March also marks the end of Dungeness Crab season, so if you like your crustaceans fresh, plan accordingly.
Freshwater Spring Kayak Spots
Salt River Canyon Surprises in the Superstition Mountains
Arizona – Late Winter to Early Spring
While you might expect this area to be listed among the saltwater spots above, don’t let the name deceive you! Cutting through the spectacular Superstition Mountains located east of Phoenix is a series of reservoirs which supply the greater Phoenix area with a fresh water supply and hydroelectric power. Kayaking from the shores of Canyon Lake and up the Salt River Canyon is a spectacular day trip filled with fascinating landscapes and an absolute oasis of the best flora that the Sonoran Desert has to offer! Keep your eyes peeled along the cliffs above for bighorn sheep, too.
Tips: It tends to get rather warm and somewhat busy in the late spring/early summer. So, we recommend enjoying this lake in the early spring and during weekdays in order to avoid crowds. Launch from the shore near the picnic area on Canyon Lake, then proceed up the river as far as you can.
The flow is minimal and the river is wide, so it’s very easy to attain. The further up you go, the more beautiful and fascinating the canyon becomes, with plenty of places to pull off for a picnic lunch, or even camp overnight. Winds can pick up in the late afternoon, so plan accordingly. The camping and boondocking in and around this area is plentiful and beautiful.
Slithering Through Side Canyons
Utah – Mid to Late Spring
While the reservoir in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (just above the Grand Canyon) is jam-packed with house boats and parties during the summer months, mid to late spring offers kayakers a place to wander in peace and quiet. The landscape of the Navajo Sandstone formation looks a bit like melting Neapolitan ice cream, with side canyons that allow kayakers to paddle deep into the inlets and go back in time to Ancient Puebloan ruins and sandstone cathedrals. If you are seeking a multiday kayak camping adventure, there are dispersed campsites along the lake with no permits required.
Tips: Stop by the Glen Canyon Visitor Center to get a map of the area, so you know where to find launching/landing spots, as well as find those “secret” side canyons.
Turquoise Glacial Waters of North Cascades National Park
Washington State – Late Spring to Early Summer
Spring runoff from the surrounding glaciers turns this series of reservoirs from green to iridescent blue in the spring, making for a surreal and stunningly beautiful scene! Three reservoirs lie along the Skagit River which cuts through the Skagit Valley: Ross Lake, Diablo Lake, and Gorge Lake. While Gorge Lake and Diablo Lake offer easy access to day paddles, Ross Lake is a bit more of a mission and offers numerous paddle-in campsites that are reservable (in-person only) at the backcountry ranger office in Marblemount.
On the east side of the North Cascades park complex lies the second largest glacially carved body of water on the west coast, Lake Chelan. With dozens of small, boat-in USFS campgrounds around the lake, your first-come, first-served options are nearly limitless.
Tips:While the water is ice cold, late spring weather can offer gorgeous sunny days before “fire season” fully kicks in. Be prepared for anything though, as the weather can change drastically over the course of a single day. There is plentiful RV camping in the national park.
Unforgettable Voyages in Voyageurs National Park
Minnesota – Late Spring to Early Summer
Some parks are simply best experienced from the water. And Voyageurs, along the Canadian border in northern Minnesota, is most definitely one of them. Named after French Canadian canoe traders in the Seventeenth through Nineteenth Centuries who plied these canoe trails hauling furs and raw materials eastward, this park offers a private island camping experience that few others can provide.
A day trip on these lakes is a gorgeous way to get away from it all for a short time. And, the options for backcountry kayak/canoe camping are so numerous that you can choose the adventure level which suits your desires. Backcountry camping reservations and permits must be made in advance of arriving at the park, so knowing your skills and abilities are crucial to establishing an itinerary. The lakes can be both serene and rough, depending on the time of day, but the numerous islands typically provide some shelter from the wind.
Tips: Summertime can be crowded and buggy, but late spring (and early fall) are often pleasant, if not a bit chilly. If you can fit your trip in before/after fishing season, you’ll have the lakes to yourself. There are no RV campgrounds in the park itself, but there are private campgrounds in the area.
A Final Word on Kayaking Tips and Best Practices
- Life jackets. ALWAYS wear an appropriate life jacket while kayaking.
- Communications. Bring a device to reach someone in case of an emergency. (Like an inReach or Marine radio AND cell phone in waterproof case.)
- Provisions. Bring enough food and water for your time on the water. Even on the water, it’s easy to get dehydrated.
- Float plans. If you are going on a multi-day adventure, always leave a float plan behind with a friend or family member.
New to kayaking? We talk more about kayaking for beginners elsewhere, but another easy way to get started on how to paddle is through the American Canoe Association. They lead and instruct courses to develop greater skills and experience — wherever you want to park.
Getting out on the water can be one of the best ways to avoid crowds and see an area from a different perspective. With some preparation and the appropriate equipment for the body of water, kayaking is an activity that is perfect for every age group — from five to 75!
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