Top 5 Canoe, Kayak, and Raft Camping Trips

The same distinction can be made in canoeing, kayaking and rafting. A long day's paddle is great. But sooner or later, most day trip paddlers fantasize about taking a longer journey.
One advantage of using a boat to venture into the wild is that you can carry more stuff. Your tent can be just a little bit bigger. You can pack a few more clothes and pile in your backpack on the field guides. A coffee pot will not be out of the question. And rather than just sticking to freeze-dried glop and instant Japanese noodles, you can plan menus with more fresh ingredients. Maybe even a bottle of wine.
I selected five worthy camping expeditions for paddlers. Some are most suited for open canoe, others touring kayak; a few trips can be made in an inflatable raft. So pick your region and make a trip.

North Woods Nirvana: Boundary Waters Wilderness, Minnesota

Boundary Waters stretches long and sparkling along the Minnesota/Canada border. It's not so much a linear route as a region: of the planet, of the mind. Glaciers gouged out an anarchic scattering of lakes, meandering rivers, imposing cliffs. You have a whopping 1,200 miles of canoe trails from which to choose. Remember this is wilderness: no roads, no motorboats. You'll be alone with birdsong and gurgling water. Entry points in the western part of Boundary Waters are concentrated in the Ely area, in the east it's the Gunflint area. Flying in gets you to the most remote areas: worth it for extended trips by skilled canoe adventurers. Because the region is so remote, you can practically count on superior fishing for smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, and lake trout.

Prince of the Wild: Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine

The Allagash Wilderness Waterway is top o' the list for northeast paddling destinations. Located in the north woods of Maine, it is a wonderfully remote and scenic paddling trip. You will spend about two-thirds of your paddling time on several lakes, and only about one-third on the Allagash River. Two stretches of whitewater add spice to the adventure. Moose, bear, and bald eagle are among the wildlife often seen along the river.
The usual Allagash trip is the 93 miles from Chamberlain Lake to the town of Allagash, where the Allagash flows into the St. John River. This trip takes about seven days. There are several other access points allowing for trips of varying lengths. The Allagash runs high and quick in early summer snowmelt season. By mid-June it mellows out, making for easygoing canoe expeditions.

Wild Rocky Coast: Maine Island Trail, Maine

The Maine Island Trail is the dean of long-distance water trails. It is a 325-mile-long waterway for small boats extending from Casco Bay to Machias. The trail ventures along the coast over protected salt rivers and quiet bays, around magnificent capes, and among many large and small islands. The trail takes advantage of the small, state-owned islands along most of the route, using them as overnight wilderness camping sites.
However, not all the islands are state-owned; some are privately owned. To get the map to the campsites, one must be a member of the Maine Island Trail Association (MITA). Owners and members of the MITA cooperate to keep the islands unblemished and the wildlife thriving. Members use the islands in a manner that has little or no impact on the natural environment by using cook stoves instead of open fires, building their fires below the high-tide line, camping in grassy areas, and carrying out all waste and rubbish. Special consideration is given to wildlife, and bird breeding islands are avoided until after the nesting season.

Adirondack Odyssey: Saint Regis Canoe Area, New YorkThe St. Regis

Canoe Area is the largest wilderness canoe area in the northeast United States. These 18,000 acres of 58 ponds are closed to motor vehicles, motorboats, and aircraft. You'll find it 15 miles northwest of Saranac Lake in the Paul Smiths/Lake Clear area of the Adirondacks. The area is noted for its pristine spring-fed ponds, short canoe carries, and exhilarating wild spaces. It all adds up to serenity. There are two main routes. The historic Seven Carries Route connects two historic resorts: the renowned Paul Smith's Hotel and the Saranac Inn. Several "great camps"—elaborate backcountry compounds built by turn-of-the-century robber baron elite—can be seen on the Upper St. Regis Lake including Camp Topridge, built by the Post family. The Seven Carries route is a mellow overnighter. For a longer excursion, the Nine Carries Loop takes you deeper into the backcountry, including the transcendant area around Fish Pond.

Gulf Coast: Everglades National Park, Florida

Everglades National Park offers two kinds of paddling environments: lush inland routes and the Gulf Coast. More than one third of the park is made up of marine areas and shallow estuaries. A favorite route is the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway. This route meanders through bosques of mangroves, sawgrass prairies, rivers and creeks, and coastal bays. Roseate spoonbills, manatees, and alligators are just some of the stunning fauna that you may encounter. You'll be overnighting on chickees, which are camping platforms based on the traditional home of the Seminole Indians.
Gotta warn you: Motorboats will be zipping through, making the same trip in a few hours as opposed to your several days. But they're quickly gone, leaving you alone in the wilderness.