How to Plan a Canoe Trip

If an average camping won’t do and you’re looking for a more “physical” experience, we strongly recommend going on a canoe trip with friends! A canoe trip lets you explore the wilderness and eventually, head to the river. It’s the perfect trip for adventurers and thrill-seekers alike! If you want to plan a canoe trip but don’t know how to start, consider our tips below:

Plan What to Do

To start planning your trip, decide where you want to go. If you’re going on a canoe trip for the first time, we don’t recommend spending a month in the middle of the woods with friends you haven’t seen in decades. Make the trip short and choose a place with smaller bodies of water. A 3 to 5-day canoe trip should suffice.

You can go online to check ideal places to go canoeing in your local area. Then, check if there are businesses that offer gears, supplies and important things you need for the trip. Look for guidebooks, maps and online information about the site. If you have friends who went canoeing before, reach out to get and get tips on how to put together a whole excursion.

Pack Your Essentials

Once you’re done mapping out where you want to go on a trip, set a date and invite friends. At this point, you want to learn more about what essentials to pack. The last thing you want is to bring the wrong clothes or gears. For gears, get resources online or recommendations from friends.

You want to bring a tent, supplies, safety gears such as lifejackets, etc. and first aid kits. Bring thermal and protective clothing too. Take waterproof outerwear and life-proof boots especially if the terrain is rough or muddy.

Prepping for the Trip

A challenging trip usually requires a team leader, but we strongly suggest hiring a guide or an outfitter. This will eliminate the burden of delegating a trip leader within the group. An outfitter will definitely enhance the experience especially for those who are going on a canoe trip for the first time. You can check for outfitters online, but we recommend browsing messenger boards or forums to get authentic testimonials.

Once you found the ideal candidates, ask about their training, credentials and their specialization. Inquire about the kinds of equipment they can provide and those you need to get.

If say, you want to go without an outfitter, ask around local specialty stores for tips on what to wear, how to pack, what food to get and so on.

Execute Your Plan

After all the little details are taken care of, then you are ready to head to the site of the trip and enjoy a different kind of experience!

Of course, don’t forget to leave a float plan with your friends, families and the local authorities. It also helps if you get a Personal Locator Beacon or PLB to prevent severe injuries. But do note that using a PLB could signal a rescue using a helicopter and fuel is expensive. For added insurance, get a satellite phone especially if you’re on a trip with a large group.

Expect to get wet and walk for kilometers as you hike to the campsite so pack accordingly. You also need to protect your gears from the elements. Once you arrive to the campsite, then “roughing it” starts. Have fun and enjoy the experience to the fullest!