Hop in a canoe and travel the waterways exploring in the same way as did Lewis and Clark or Native Americans. Canoeing combines the fun and adventure of camping and hiking with the element of water. You can go take an exhilarating canoe trip over white water or calmly spend the day circling a lake. But no matter which you choose, a day in a canoe is a day well spent.

Boating 101

If you have never done much boating yourself, then you might think canoeing down a river would be snap. There is a trick or two to controlling canoe and there are boating basics that apply even to these typically benign watercraft. If you do not know how to handle a canoe, then a short course offered by your local state park or boating facility is in order. Know what equipment to have on hand and the skills necessary to handle the canoe you will be paddling on your trip.

Great Water Trails

Just as there is great hiking and biking trails there are also great water trails. Choosing a water trail can be hard. There are so many great places to pick from that you may want to take the whole summer off!

The Southwest Florida Coast has the perfect water trail for a family canoe trip. It runs from Bonita Springs to Fort Meyers and has lots to see and do along the way. You will paddle past historical sites and watch the many varieties of wildlife which are just as intent on watching you.

New York does not immediately come to mind when one thinks of boating, but think again. The Black River in New York offers some of the finest canoeing and kayaking around. This trip is not for the faint-hearted-- lots of white water as this river rolls and tumbles into Lake Ontario.

Canoeing and Camping

Why try to decide between one and the other? The Sabine River in Texas is one of the rivers that offers both great camping along with great canoeing. You should also check out the Pearl River in Missouri, the Current River in Mississippi and the Missouri River in Montana. You can find fantastic canoe trips available from the Colorado River to the Allegheny in Pennsylvania.