The Best US Kayaking Vacations
The National Parks and other protected lands of the US are full of varied terrain to explore, so why not mix up how you experience these exciting places? Wildland is proud to now offer trips that combine hiking vacations with kayaking vacations, giving us unique perspectives of some of our favorite destinations.
Kayaking adds a distinct dimension to exploration, allowing us to access areas unreachable by foot and offering opportunities to observe wildlife from a different vantage point. Kayaks were first crafted over 5,000 years ago for this very purpose, enabling Arctic Indigenous peoples to glide quietly across the water to hunt seals, whales, and other marine life. The word “kayak” comes from the Inuit people and translates to “hunter’s boat.” While our trips don’t involve hunting, you’ll have the chance to track marine life and immerse yourself in the natural world.
Kayaking vacations also provide a dynamic way to stay active. Think of hiking and kayaking as cross-training: while hiking primarily engages your lower body, kayaking is a workout for your upper body and core. By incorporating both, you’ll achieve a balanced and rewarding adventure.
Our guided kayaking trips include kayak rentals, paddles, safety gear, and expert guides to ensure your safety and enjoyment. From the lush Great Smoky Mountains to the icy Alaskan coastline, Wildland offers kayaking vacations in diverse regions across the United States. Whether you prefer camping under the stars or returning to a cozy lodge after a day of adventure, these trips cater to a variety of preferences. Here are some of the best places to embark on a kayaking vacation:
Olympic Peninsula
The Olympic Peninsula, home to Olympic National Park, is celebrated for its incredible biodiversity, with ecosystems ranging from temperate rainforests to rugged coastlines and imposing mountains. Kayaking offers a unique way to explore this stunning region.
On our Best of Olympic Adventure, an inn-based hiking trip, you’ll enjoy a kayaking day on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates the northwesternmost region of the lower 48 from Canada. Glide past tide pools teeming with sea stars, sea anemones, and crabs while keeping an eye out for bald eagles, otters, seals, and even whales. This trip also includes a visit to the Makah Cultural and Research Center Museum, where you’ll learn about the Makah people’s history of hunting whales and seals from watercrafts.
Great Smoky Mountains
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located in Tennessee and North Carolina, has been the most visited park every year since 1944. A kayaking vacation is a fantastic way to discover its quieter, less-traveled areas.
On our Great Smoky Mountains Paddle and Hike Adventure, we begin the trip by loading up our rafts and paddling across the gorgeous Fontana Lake, a reservoir on the Little Tennessee River. We’ll stop at an island for lunch, then head to our campsite at Eagle Creek. Our trip proceeds by camping here for two nights, hiking to a fire tower on Day 2, then retracing our paddle strokes back across Fontana Lake.
Can’t make a multi-day trek work with your schedule but want to embark on a kayaking vacation nonetheless? Our Paddle and Hike Private Day Tour is for you! We offer the Fontana Lake/Eagle Creek trip as a day tour. Another fun option for a day tour is a paddle to Hazel Creek and the abandoned town of Proctor. Once a bustling lumber town, Proctor is now a site where nature is reclaiming the landscape, offering a fascinating glimpse into the interplay between history and wilderness. We can explore the old town on foot, looking at an old cemetery, homes, and cars. Then, we’ll kayak back and have options to explore some of the other local sites in town.
Smoky Mountains Paddle and hike
Acadia National Park
Tucked away in Maine, Acadia National Park is renowned for its dramatic coastal cliffs, lush pine forests, and abundant marine life. Our Acadia Hiking and Kayaking Adventure enables you to explore this stunning park both on foot and by sea kayak.
Our kayaking adventure occurs on Day 4, when we pair up in tandem kayaks and paddle around the Porcupine Islands. These are a series of five islands named for their resemblance to porcupines due to their round shapes and spiky appearance from the pine trees. These islands are located on Frenchman Bay, which has a history of hiding both Frenchmen during the French and Indian War and Canadian-sourced rum during Prohibition. Along the way, we might be greeted by bald eagles, harbor seals, and porpoises, and can explore an island on foot. After kayaking around 5 miles, we will return to the comfort of our historic Bar Harbor hotel and enjoy a cozy night in town.
Alaska Coast
Alaska’s rugged beauty makes it an unparalleled destination for kayaking vacations. Arctic Indigenous peoples crafted the first kayaks here thousands of years ago, and their legacy lives on in this wild and pristine landscape. They crafted their boats out of animal bones, skin, and wood, while ours today are typically made of fiberglass or plastic. Embarking on a kayaking tour in Alaska is a great way to pay homage to these people’s traditions.
We’re excited to now offer Alaska trips—our newest branch—and to have kayaking vacations in the Last Frontier. One of our Alaska trips that includes kayaking is the Wild Alaska Coast and Glacier Trek. This trip takes place in Kachemak Bay of the Kenai Peninsula, near the town of Homer. On Day 3 of this trip, we’ll embark from camp to kayak across a silty lake to reach the terminus of the Grewingk Glacier, a 13-mile-long glacier. Here, we can explore the varied forms and shades of icy blues that the glacier boasts, then kayak back to move camp and enjoy another night under the stars. This trip is also offered in a women’s-only version, fostering a supportive and empowering environment for female adventurers.
Another Alaskan coastal kayaking vacation is the Best of the Kenai Peninsula Adventure, one of our most varied trips in terms of scenery and activities. Further north on the Kenai Peninsula, near the town of Girdwood, we paddle across Spencer Glacier Lake to, you guessed it—the Spencer Glacier, where we can explore the ice forms. We then get even more time on the water by rafting to the Placer River to grab the train to Girdwood, returning to the gorgeous backcountry yurts.
Get Your Paddle On
Kayaking vacations offer more than just an escape from the ordinary. By gliding across serene lakes, rushing rivers, or coastal bays, you’ll experience the natural world in an intimate and immersive way. Kayaking allows you to reach secluded areas, encounter wildlife up close, and gain a new perspective on familiar landscapes. Whether you’re paddling through glacial waters in Alaska or exploring the tide pools of Olympic National Park, each stroke of the paddle connects you more deeply to the environment.
Additionally, kayaking vacations are perfect for all skill levels. Wildland Trekking’s expert guides ensure that even beginners can feel confident and that experienced kayakers can enjoy the journey too. These trips also provide opportunities to learn about local ecosystems, geology, and history, enriching your adventure beyond physical exploration.
From the temperate rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula to the glacial wonders of Alaska, Wildland’s kayaking vacations offer unforgettable adventures in some of the most breathtaking regions of the United States. Whether you’re seeking a multi-day excursion or a single-day outing, a rustic campsite or a comfortable lodge, there’s a trip for every type of adventurer. So, buckle up your life jacket, grab your paddle, and get ready to explore the world from the water!
