Category: Kayaking

Only 25 miles northeast of the bustling Atlanta metro, Johns Creek offers a gorgeous escape from the city with protected outdoor recreational areas and 13 miles of the Chattahoochee River. The city is home to 82,000 residents and offers a sparse suburban feel with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Its stunning riverbanks and wooded area make it a popular destination for fishing, picnicking, hiking, kayaking, rafting and lovers of the outdoors.

Where to Kayak near Johns Creek, GA

Here are five kayaking destinations near Johns Creek, GA that make it a hot spot for watersports.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Sandy Springs , GA 

13 miles of the Chattahoochee River meander through the city of Johns Creek, but all 48 miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area can be rafted, canoed or kayaked year-round. The river offers excellent opportunities for a leisurely paddle, trout fishing and wildlife spotting. The river is calm and flat with the occasional class I/II rapids.

Sweetwater Creek State Park

Lithia Springs, GA

South of Johns Creek and minutes from downtown Atlanta, Sweetwater Creek State Park provides a serene wilderness. Here you’ll find wildlife, rugged terrain, secluded lakes, rapids and a 215 acre reservoir. Kayaking Sweetwater Creek State Park allows you to access interesting, often overlooked areas, providing a truly breathtaking way to experience the park’s unique views and beauty.

Fort Yargo State Park

Winder, GA

Located east of Johns Creek between Atlanta and Athens, Fort Yargo State Park is another popular kayaking destination in Georgia. It is a natural refuge with some of the most gorgeous views in the Eastern United States. The park surrounds Marbury Creek Reservoir, a 260-acre lake with a swimming beach, with fishing areas and two conveniently placed boat ramps. A unique feature of this park is its lakeside yurts, offering a glamping experience with furniture, electricity, and a fire ring, picnic table and grill outside.

Cartecay River

Ellijay, GA

The Cartecay River runs through the Blackberry Mountains in and around the city of Ellijay, before merging with the Ellijay River to form Coosawattee. The river offers an intermediate paddle with scenic mountain views. It starts calm but has multiple unique river features including fast moving currents and white-water rapids. Prior kayaking experience is a must.

 

Lake Lanier

Gainesville, GA

Lake Lanier is nestled in the foothills of the Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains, stretching for 76 acres with more than 690 miles of shoreline. The lake is known for its aqua-blue waters, spectacular scenery and excellent kayaking. Kayakers can enjoy a nice leisurely paddle around the lake or opt for a more challenging section of the Chattahoochee or its tributaries with plenty of coves and islands to explore.

Kayak Storage

Johns Creek, Georgia is a beautiful city with many nature-filled kayaking locations nearby. Make sure you’re properly storing your kayak so it’s ready for your next kayaking adventure. Proper storage is key to keeping your kayaking in good shape so you can enjoy it for years to come. A hand-crafted log kayak rack from Log Kayak Rack will beautifully store and display your kayak keeping it safe when not in use and your shoreline or property clutter free. The durable frames are naturally weather-resistant and can store up to eight kayaks. Shop our kayak racks online now or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your Johns Creek, Georgia kayak storage needs.

When you think of Detroit, Michigan your first thoughts may be of automobiles and sports. But Detroit is a great place for nature lovers as well. The city is home to the only international wildlife preserve located in North America that’s in the heart of major metropolitan area and the tri-county metro area is filled with natural landscapes, parks, beaches, and a recreational coastline that is linked to the Great Lakes. Islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals and waterfront lands, the Detroit River, the Hudson River and Lake Erie make the Detroit metro a great kayaking destination.

Where to Kayak near Detroit

Get your kayaks, canoes and paddleboards ready! Here are five of the best, most popular places to get your paddle on near Detroit, Michigan.

Huron River Water Trail

Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Huron River Water Trial is an inland paddling trail offers 104 miles of river for kayaking, canoeing and other freshwater activities. It takes about five days to paddle the entire trail, with everything from rapids to calm, still waters. It winds though several communities and scenic parks to the west of Detroit, beginning near the Proud Lake Recreational Area just west of Commerce Charter Township. If you paddle the entire length, you’ll go through small towns such as Milford and Dexter before finally making your way to Lake Erie.

Detroit Heritage River Water Trail

Detroit, Michigan

The Detroit Heritage River Water Trail will take you past urban areas of downtown Detroit as well the serene International Wildlife Refuge. It is one of Michigan’s most dynamic and diverse water trails, and is organized into four segments. The Belle Isle/Detroit segment provides great views of the island, Detroilt skyline and Canada. The Rouge River segment offers a close up view of the Ford Rouge Complex, unique bascule bridges and greenery as it travels from the City of Melvindale to Belanger Park. The Huron River segment begins in the City of Flatrock and passes through scenic areas before meandering to Lake Erie. The Lower Detroit River segment begins in Wyandotte’s Bishop Park and passes by the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge.

Clinton River Water Trail

Waterford Township, Michigan

Clinton River offers a lovely moderate 4.7 mile trail with excellent views of nature and bird watching. The start of this trail begins near the Waterford Township before winding its way to Cass Lake. If you are looking for a little more adventure, the Clinton River also flows from Pontiac west to Lake St. Clair. Here the river is divided into three sections. The Headwaters offers the most tranquil paddle through Michigan’s wetlands. The middle section through the Heart of Clinton is the most difficult. The Lower River offers dense forests with a slow-moving wake that pushes kayakers to Lake St. Clair.

Newburgh Lake / Hines Park

Plymouth, Michigan

Newburgh Lake is a great location for a day of kayaking and park fun. It is an impoundment on the Middle Rouge River within Hines Park in Plymouth, MI.  The park offers easy water access with a nice, developed launch at Newburgh Point and a large lake with wooded shores for kayakers to explore. In addition to the serene views, the park also offers fishing, excellent picnic spots, restrooms, a playground, dog park and trails for hiking and biking.

Stony Creek Metropark

Shelby Township, MI

The Stony Creek Metropark offers that up north feeling without having to leave the suburbs. It extends across Oakland and Macomb counties, offering 4,461 scenic acres of outdoor exploration. Stony Creek Lake is a prime spot for kayaking. Its 500-acres offer a smooth ride and scenic views of lush woodlands, serene wetlands and tallgrass prairies. The park also features a nature center, disc golf, baseball and soccer fields, volleyball and basket ball courts, playgrounds, picnic areas and winter sports as well.

Detroit Metro Kayak Storage Racks

With so many kayaking destinations within a few minutes of the Detroit metro, you’ll want to make sure your kayak is always ready for your next adventure with a high-quality kayak storage rack. Our hand-crafted kayak, canoe and SUP storage racks are made from durable, naturally weather-resistant norther cedar logs. Their natural beauty will add to the appeal of your property while keeping your kayaks protected and at the ready, and your shoreline neat and orderly.  We offer a wide variety of rack styles and storage options that can accommodate up to eight kayaks, canoes or standup paddleboards. Shop online now and enjoy free shipping to the Detroit, Michigan area or contact us online for a custom kayak storage solution designed to meet your exact storage needs.

The small Westchester town of Bedford lies 48 miles outside of New York City. It’s known for drawing Hollywood A-Listers, but is also a popular destination for kayakers, canoers and other water lovers as well. It is situated between the Cross River Reservoir and the Byram Lake Reservoir with the Mianus River running right through it, offering a variety of kayaking destinations within a short drive.

Bedford, NY Kayaking Destinations

Here’s a quick guide to some of the best places to kayak near Bedford, New York.

Mianus River, Greenwich CT

The Mianus River is 20.3 miles long, flowing through Westchester County, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut. It flows through Bedford at the Mianus River Gorge nature preserve. Public access to the river can be found about 25 minutes from Bedford at the northern end of Mianus Pond in Greenwich, CT.  Most of the land surrounding the river is private, excluding just the boat launch. Here the Mianus River is a small stream that flows into the Cos Cobb Harbor before the Long Island Sound.

Glen Island Park

Just over a half-hour from Bedford, you’ll find Glen Island Park. This 105-acre island property is connected to New Rochelle by a drawbridge that was built in the 1920s. It is one of the most widely used parks in Westchester County with 65-70 boats being launched every weekend. A true gem, it was initially developed as a summer resort with individual islands linked together with piers and causeways. Today it provides a beautiful crescent shaped beach with access to the Long Island Sound.

Croton Point Park

Croton Point Park is a 508-acre park situated on a peninsula on the east shore of the Hudson River, just 30 minutes from Bedford. The park offers year-round events and activities including camping, hiking, kayaking and swimming. In addition to the scenic views of the Hudson River valley, the park is rich in human history. It is thought to have one of the oldest wine cellars in New York.

George’s Island Park

George’s Island Park is a 208-acre waterfront park offering magnificent views of the historic Hudson River. It is just over a half hour from Bedford and is linked to the Hudson River Greenway trail system. The park contains tidal wetlands, a fresh water pond and wooded trails in addition to access to the Hudson River.  

Cross River Reservoir

On the northside of Bedford, you’ll find The Cross River Reservoir. The Reservoir was formed by the damming of Cross River and was placed into service in 1908. This reservoir is part of the New York City water supply system. With the Cross River’s tree-lined scenery, you’ll feel like you’re out in the wilderness without ever leaving the suburbs.

Bedford Kayak Storage Racks

With so many kayaking destinations within a few minutes of Bedford, New York, you’ll want to make sure your kayak is at the ready with proper kayak storage. Our hand-crafted kayak, canoe and SUP storage racks are made from durable, naturally weather-resistant norther cedar logs. Their natural beauty will add to the appeal of your property while keeping your boats protected and your shoreline neat and orderly.  We offer a wide variety of styles that can accommodate up to eight kayaks, canoes or standup paddleboards. Shop online now and enjoy free shipping to the Bedford, NY area or contact us online for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your exact storage needs.

From fresh mountain air and rushing rivers to cool sea breezes and calm coastal waters, Georgia offers every kind of kayaking you could imagine. There’s urban kayaking in Atlanta, beach combing along the uninhabited barrier islands, secluded swamp waters and daring whitewater rapids for the thrill seekers. So grab your kayak and let’s dive into some of the best kayaking destinations near Atlanta, GA.

Kayaking Day Trips from Atlanta

Here are five fun-filled, must kayak destinations, all within half-a-day’s drive from Atlanta.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Atlanta, GA

The scenic Chattahoochee River starts in Northeast Georgia, flowing right through the heart of Atlanta before entering the Gulf of Mexico. With it’s prime location in downtown Atlanta and its protected natural environment it is easily one of Atlanta’s best outdoor attractions and one any kayaking enthusiast should experience. In addition to paddling, there are excellent fishing opportunities as well as running and hiking trails.

Chattahoochee River

Columbus, GA

Columbus is celebrated for the largest rapids this side of the Colorado River. An hour and a half drive from Atlanta, this top paddling destination offers the longest urban whitewater course in the world. Thrill seekers can enjoy 2.5 miles of whitewater fun as they tumble over eight rapids ranked from class II to class V.

Savannah, GA

It’s just four hours from Atlanta by car, but you’ll feel like you’re in a whole new world in Savannah, GA. The city is full of history, charm and romance, along with lots of green space and access to some amazing kayaking opportunities. You can explore Georgia’s salt marsh, barrier island, Intracoastal Waterway and more, all when you kayak in Savannah.

Savannah Rapids Park & The Augusta Canal Trail

Augusta, GA

Another destination for whitewater kayaking is the Savannah Rapids Park, just north of Augusta and about two and a half hours from Atlanta. If you’re not an advanced paddler or are just looking for a calmer paddle, the Augusta Canal Trail, which begins at the park and goes all the way to August, offers something everyone can enjoy. You’ll paddle past historic sites and wildlife on this five mile trail.

F.D. Roosevelt State Park

Pine Mountain, GA 

At 9,049 acres, F.D. Roosevelt State Park is Georgia’s largest state park. It is a hiker’s and backpacker’s haven with more than 40 miles of trails. And with the 15-acre Lake Delanor and the 25-acre Lake Franklin, it’s also great for kayakers. You’ll enjoy hardwood and pine forests, creeks, a few small waterfalls and rolling mountains as well as a life-size sculpture of the president.

Kayak Racks for Atlanta, GA

Georgia is a beautiful place to kayak and you don’t even have to venture far from Atlanta to experience a nature-filled kayaking adventure. Make sure your kayak will be ready for your next big Georgia adventure by storing it properly between trips. Proper storage will keep your kayak in better shape, allowing you to enjoy it for years to come and there’s no better storage than our hand-crafted log kayak racks. Durable and naturally weather resistant, these kayak racks are made from 100% northern white cedar logs. They will beautifully store and display your kayak keeping it safe when not in use and your shoreline or property clutter free. Shop our kayak racks online now, with free shipping to the Atlanta, GA area, or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution to meet your unique kayak storage needs.

The Hudson River is a kayaker’s dream, extending over 300 miles from northern Saratoga County in the Adirondacks all the way down to Battery Park in Manhattan. It’s a wonderful choice for reconnecting with nature and escaping the hustle and bustle of New York City and there’s no better time to experience it than during peak of fall color change.

Spend a relaxing afternoon paddling along the river itself or any of the many creeks and rivers that crisscross through the Hudson River Valley while taking in some of fall’s most spectacular colors or plan a multi-day excursion and see all there is to see.

Kayaking the Hudson

The Hudson River itself offers the longest paddle and is simply a wonderful river for a fall kayaking trip with many notable sites to see right from the river. Attractions include such things as marshes, islands and swamps; a plethora of bird species including bald eagles, great blue herons, spotted sandpipers, snowy egrets, kingfishers, cormorants, ospreys and several duck varieties; historic sites, downtowns, and hiking trails.

Plan your trip wisely and you can kayak past places such as Culinary Institute of America, Bannerman Island, West Point Military Academy and Constitution Island. There are also seven lighthouses that remain along the Hudson. Many of which now offer refuge for a host of wildlife.

The Hudson River Greenway Waterway

There are a surprisingly large number of kayak launch spots as well as camping accommodations along the Hudson thanks to the Hudson River Greenway Water Trail. The National Water Trail was developed with the goal of providing one or more designated launches and take-outs every 10 miles along both shores of the Hudson to provide a wealth of access points for kayakers of every level. With more than 100 designated access sites along the 256-mile trail, it’s safe to say they succeeded. It’s a great resource for planning your trip as they maintain a listing of itineraries as well as locations of kayak racks available for securing your kayak with your own lock.

Kayaking the Hudson River Valley

Taking on the 300-mile long Hudson is a challenging feat. The river is large and can be well-trafficked. Luckily, the Hudson River Valley offers many side paddles that can provide an equally stunning kayaking experience.

Constitution Marsh

This popular Hudson River side paddle is a 270-acre bird sanctuary that is part of the Hudson Highlands State Park, adjacent to Constitution Island.

Lake Taghkanic

Located east of the Hudson River and easily accessible by car, you can kayak your way around the entire Lake Taghkanic in about an hour. It’s an easy entry-level paddle with a great sandy beach for swimming in the summer and thick woods filled with oak trees that light the shore in bright yellows and reds in fall.

The Lower Esopus

West of the Hudson lies Harriman State Park with many lakes great for kayaking. Check out Lake Welch, Lake Sebago, Lake Tiorati, and Lake Kenawaki and you may spot herons, turtles, ducks, and eagles among the beautifully changing fall leaves.

Storing Your Kayak

Whether you’ve reached the end of your Hudson River Valley kayaking vacation or you own the vacation hot spot, there comes a time when you have to put the kayak away. Keep your shoreline neat and orderly with our hand-crafted kayak racks. Our kayak racks are exquisitely crafted out of 100% norther cedar logs and can safely and beautifully store and display your kayaks for years to come. The durable frames are naturally weather-resistant and can be custom built to accommodate a number of kayaks. Our kayak storage racks can be wall mounted, dock mounted, buried in the ground or free-standing. View our standard kayak racks online or contact us for a custom kayak storage solution.

While many kayakers think of summer as the ideal paddling season with its long days and warmer weather, fall can be just as good. Especially if your goal is to glimpse the beautiful fall foliage. Leaf-peeping from your kayak or canoe is the perfect way to enjoy the brilliant autumn colors. So, if you’re in no rush to store your kayak and want to experience the vivid colors of fall’s foliage from the water, check out a few of our favorite places in Minnesota and Wisconsin for fall color paddling.

Kayak Through Minnesota’s & Wisconsin’s Fall Colors

Minnesota and Wisconsin are famous for their fiery fall foliage, bringing in tourists from all over. Leaf-peeping traffic can get heavy, especially at peak. But most recreational kayakers have already begun storing their kayaks for winter, leaving waterways free and clear for an even more peaceful experience for taking in the wonder of fall. Instead of getting in line for a drive or an overcrowded hike, experience fall colors from a different angle and watch it dance off the reflective water. To make sure you get the best color, both Minnesota and Wisconsin offer online peak color tracking. Check the links and plan your leaf-peeping kayaking trip.

Peninsula State Park – Fish Creek, WI

Peninsula State Park is the third-largest state park in Wisconsin. It is located in Door County and offers over eight miles of shoreline to kayak. In addition to the changing colors that line the shore every fall, kayakers can see other popular attractions like the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Horseshoe Island and Chambers Island, and lots of wildlife.

Kickapoo River – La Farge, WI

Kickapoo River is known as the crookedest river in the world. It begins just north of Ontario in Vernon County, Wisconsin and winds to meet the Wisconsin River at Wauzeka in Crawford County, Wisconsin. Near the start by Ontario, the river carved out breathtaking sandstone cliffs that are now covered with foliage. As kayakers make their way down the river they can set their eyes on more than 300 different plant species, over a 100 bird species and many other mammals.

Interstate State Park – Taylors Falls, MN

The St. Croix River Valley forms much of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin and is ablaze in red, orange, and yellow leaves in the fall. Interstate State Park at Taylors Falls is small, but geologically distinctive park having been carved out by massive glaciers retreating from the area about 10,000 years ago. Rushing currents and whirlpools carved deep, circular “glacial potholes” from the sandstone down into the basalt leaving behind stunning cliffs, that are especially awe-inspiring at peak of fall color.

In addition to the fall colors, kayakers and canoers will likely spot eagles, herons and dozens of other bird species, along with the chance to see mink, beaver, whitetail deer, fox and maybe even black bear.

Afton State park, Afton, MN

Afton State Park is within an hour of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, making it the perfect destination for a day kayaking trip. The park caters to those seeking a remote, rustic experience close to the metro. It is located on the southern section of the St. Croix River and provides an excellent opportunity for catching some of the river’s largest fish species, river sturgeon and flathead catfish. Paddling the densely wooded banks of the river near Afton is by far one of the most peaceful and immersive ways to experience the fall colors.

Storing Your Kayak

Be sure to head out and enjoy nature’s fall color show from the water before storing your kayak for the season. Fall can be a truly beautiful time to kayak or canoe.  But when it is time to put your beloved kayak away, remember we offer a selection of all-weather outdoor and indoor storage solutions for kayaks, canoes, and SUPs. Shop our quality kayak, canoe, and paddle board storage racks online by phone at 1-715-543-2006 or send us an online message.

With their famous sea caves, the Apostle Islands offer some of the best kayaking in the world and among them is Madeline Island.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is a 22-island archipelago with more than 500 square miles of Lake Superior and the shoreline. Some of the islands are commercialized and some remain uninhabited, but it’s the islands sea caves that most people come to see.

Over time the waves and weather of Lake Superior carved away at the red-brown sandstone, leaving breathtaking passageways, arches and caverns and a watery wonderland for kayakers in the summer. Its no wonder that Madeline Island has become a popular tourist destination for kayakers.

Kayaking Madeline Island

One of the best ways to enjoy the island is from the lake. Views of the sea caves, cliffs, beaches and the lagoon can only be accessed by kayak. You can kayak directly out to Madeline Island. There are two kayak launches on the mainland section of the Park, one at Meyers Beach and another a Little Sand Bay Visitor Center. It would be a much shorter kayak to use one of the launching areas outside the park in Bayfield or Red Cliff if you are planning to kayak directly to Madeline Island. Alternatively, you can take the ferry from Bayfield and rent kayaks in La Pointe.

The sea caves and cliffs are an amazing site and are on the south side of the island. Big Bay State Park has a lovely beach for a break or lunch. Big Bay Lagoon is also not to be missed. The water there is warmer and calmer, great for summer kayaking. And there’s also an abundance of wildlife.

Guided Kayaking Tours of Madeline Island

It is strongly recommended, unless you are a seasoned kayaker, to take advantage of a guided kayaking tour. There are many options for day trips as well as multi-day kayaking trips. The US National Parks Service actually partners with a bunch and you can access their list of authorized Apostle Islands kayak outfitters here.

Adventure Vacations is one and is actually located right on Madeline Island. As such, you’ll get a much more thorough tour of the island sea caves as opposed to the sea caves on the mainland. They offer half day Apostle Islands sea caves kayaking tours as well as boat tours, boat taxis and hiking tours around Madeline Island.

Plan Your Kayaking Trip to Madeline Island

Many people come to Madeline Island seeking adventure. Exploring the area by sea kayak is fun and exciting, but it can also be extremely hazardous, especially if weather conditions become unfavorable. It is important to be prepared. Make sure you follow all the proper precautions outlined by the Nation Parks Service for kayaking the Apostle Islands for a safe and successful kayaking trip.

And when your trip is over, make sure you have a proper place to store your kayak. A custom kayak storage rack will help preserve your kayak, so it lasts longer and requires less maintenance. That means you’ll get to spend more time on the water enjoying your kayak. For specific questions, inquiries, or custom orders, contact Log Kayak Rack at 1-715-543-2006.