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Paddling

Perfect day: Big Bend, Texas

Mike Long, a 20-year veteran, snares a primo big-water day on the Rio Grande.

The Floating Frontier: Paddling Glacier Bay, Alaska

The Alaska Marine Highway is the world's most scenic floating campground.

International Multisport Meccas: Sardinia, Italy

Test your scrambling skills–plus sea kayak, rock climb, and scuba dive the Gulf of Orosei Coast.

International Multisport Meccas: Julian Alps, Slovenia

Traverse the unknown end of the Alps–by trail, canyon, and cliff face–on this demanding journey in and around Triglav National Park.

International Multisport Meccas: Queenstown, New Zealand

Hike, paddle, and swim narrow canyons before running class IV rapids on an inflatable boogie board.

International Multisport Meccas: French Alps

Walk, bike, and raft between a string of glaciated peaks; then ladder-climb 2,500 feet up a sheer rock face.

Life List: Raft and Hike The Grand Canyon

Explore hidden gorges and spy rarely seen wonders on this three-week raft trip designed specifically for hikers.

Paddle Nebraska's Niobrara River

A two-day paddle through high plains prairie amid buffalo, whooping cranes, and elk.

Headfirst Down the McKinley

A sudden swim in a glacier-fed river nearly finishes a ranger.

Start Smart: Properly Pack a Canoe or Kayak

Follow these guidelines to keep your gear dry, secure, and well balanced in a canoe or kayak.

Hike and Raft Oregon's Rogue River

A killer whitewater trip at the end of a stunning 40-mile canyon hike? That's the scenario on Oregon's Rogue River Trail.

Top 3 Paddling Treks

These weekend float trips have side hikes that rival the paddling for scenery and solitude.

Where Can I Find the Quietest Campsite in America?

Shhh! Find silent shores in this isolated Boundary Waters hideaway

Canoes: All Aboard!

Some of the country's best wilderness is accessible only by boat. To help you get there, our testers picked the top canoes in six key categories.

Start Smart: Team Paddling

Improve your speed and efficiency by synchronizing your strokes.

Paddle and Hike Voyageurs National Park

With a thousand islands and countless passages, this little-visited treasure is a watery maze. Here's the way in–and out.

Where Can I Catch America's Largest Grillable Trout?

Looking to catch and eat the big one? Try paddling Arkansas' Little Red River.

Web Exclusive: The Rebirth of Santa Cruz Island

Dive into the Channels Islands with exclusive on-the-scene video, photos, and trip reports.

Survive This: A Plunge into Raging Whitewater

Learn how to battle your way out of a raging river with these tips.

60 Minute Fixes: Minneapolis

Three ways to hike, bike, and paddle your way to freedom in the Twin Cities.

PERFECT DAY: Olympic National Park

In the Elwha Valley, tidal rivers collide with towering old-growth forests, creating an outsized multisport playground. You'll need a bike, a kayak, and a boatload of stamina to join Sara Gagnon, an area native and co-owner of Adventures Through Kayaking, on this rollicking tour.



60 Minute Fixes: Detroit

Adventurous types can still find magic in the rivers, lakes, and paths of Detroit.

Stretches for Hikers

Recover from high-mileage days with these before-and-after stretches.

3 Ways to See Mexico's Pacific Coast

Secluded coastline and bikable rain forests are just two things waiting for you in Mexico

60-Minute Fixes: Pittsburgh

Hike, paddle, or ride in America's favorite steel town.

Float the Green River

View redrock cliffs and spires as you float through Stillwater Canyon in Utah's Canyonlands National Park.

3 Ways to See North Georgia

By foot, kayak, or on top of a Boulder, North Georgia has plenty of outside activities.

Best Damn Weekend Ever: Paddle Around St. John, Virgin Islands NP

Kayak amid the reefs and sand of Virgin Islands National Park

How to Ferry A Canoe

An essential paddling tip for turning in fast water

Best Damn Weekend Ever: Hike & Paddle the Benton MacKaye

Link two classic Southern rivers on a trek along the newly completed Benton MacKaye Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Climbing, Hiking, and Paddling in Los Angeles

Forget Sunset Boulevard. The City of Angels' abundant coastline and steep canyons will have you creating your own walk of fame.

Backpacking, Paddling, and Biking at the Delaware Water Gap

Foliage, lazy canoe waters, and high-ride hiking make the Delaware Water Gap a prime fall destination.

The Trip: Swamp-Whacking

Pioneer a brand-new trail in Louisiana's Atchafalaya swamp, where the gators are friendly. Really.

Fitness: Paddle Power

Conquer any current with these two simple strength conditioning exercises.

Paddling's Greatest Getaways

16 wild ways to find backcountry solitude and big-time scenery. All this, and you can bring the ice chest, too.

Boat Review: Custom Inflatables Thrillkat

Want to impress friends and family? Strap this baby to your pack.

Backpacking, Kayaking, and Mountain Biking in the Upper Peninsula

Michigan's Upper Peninsula has way more than big lakes. Explore it all by foot, paddle, or pedal.

Hike, Paddle, and Fish in Seattle

Appreciate Seattle's fresh and saltwater beaches, plentiful forests, and the 27-mile urban path as much as locals after a long, wet winter.

The Works: Paddling The Maine Island Trail

Kayak island-to-island on the Maine coast

Backpack, Paddle, and Climb in Idaho

Idaho is full of surprises--whitewater in the country's deepest canyon, endless climbing at City of Rocks, and high, wild scrambles in the Sawtooths.

Boston: Hike, Bike, and Paddle

Beantowners are seeing the light at the end of the Big Dig tunnel, and it's a beautiful shade of green.

Ultimate Summer Escapes: The Best Dayhikes and Backpacking Trips Near You

Coming soon to your city: far-out adventures that are shockingly close to home.

Backpack, Paddle, and Mountain Bike along California's North Coast

See all (or any) of northern California's three faces.

Epicenter: The Scene In North Creek, New York

Hike, climb and fish the wild Adirondacks

Hike, Paddle, and Bike in Denver

Feel mile-high by hiking foothills, paddling downtown, and pedaling Mt. Falcon Park.

New Zealand: Backpacking, Paddling, and More

It's better than you've heard, and closer than you think. Here's how to see it all in 10 perfect days.

More New Zealand Adventures: Climb, Paddle, Jump!

Canyoning, mountaineering, kayaking, and camping, Kiwi-style

The Works: Paddling Florida's Wilderness Waterway

Learn everything you'll ever need to know about swamps while canoeing the Everglades.

Gear Reviews: Editors' Choice 2005

New Zealand is pretty to look at, but harsh on gear--making it just what we needed for our Kiwi challenge.

Hike, Bike, and Paddle in Minneapolis

Big currents flowing down the Mississippi, recently-blazed trails, and howling coyotes make up only a few of the many attractions that draw crowds to this city's outskirts.

The Floating Frontier: Cruising and Paddling Alaska

The slow boat to Alaska requires duct tape, an elastic itinerary, and a hunger for in-your-face adventure.

Backpack, Paddle, and Hike in the Deep South

Discover the beauty of our most southern states by paddling down Carolina rivers, camping out beside Alabama waterfalls, and climbing a 3,792-foot summit in Georgia.

Backpack, Paddle, and Camp the Great Lakes

Backpack Lake Huron's shores, kayak the St. Lawrence Islands, and camp along Lake Superior

The Village: Tioga State Forest, Pennsylvania

Visit this scary state forest and let your imagination run wild.

Apparel Review: Kokotat Swift-Entry Dry Suit

Get wet, get cold. Or stay warm with this leakproof suit.

The Body Olympic: Fitness and Conditioning Tips

Meet these 6 Olympic hopefuls who will help you perform like a champion outdoors.

Offshore GPS: How to Navigate in the Water

New tools for water navigation: Strap one to your thwart, and you'll never paddle in circles again.

Float the Colorado River through Topock Gorge

Paddle through a timeless Mojave Desert landscape in Arizona

Paddle Florida's Wilderness Waterway

Canoe the wildlife-filled waters of Everglades National Park

Paddle Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp

Only in 400,000 acres of wet backcountry will you find the oldest bird

Guide's Choice: Hiking, Biking, Paddling, and Sledding Adventures

From paddling Lake Superior to glacier-hopping in Alaska: 6 hair-raising, lung-busting adventures from America's top outfitters

Missouri, Current River and Ozark Trail

Hike and canoe through the pristine springs of Missouri's Ozarks.

Boundary Waters

Get lost in the land o' lakes with 3 quiet, crowd-free trails

Utah, Glen Canyon

Receding water levels mean more miles of choice desert hiking and kayaking.

Maryland, Blackwater River



Alaska, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Paddle blue inlets too new for any topo.

Alaska Made Easy

Just minutes from Anchorage lie dozens of world-class hiking and paddling trips. This guide gives you the best, plus gear and travel tips to smooth the way.

Kayaking Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula

Endless varieties of coral and birds await when you kayak the blue waters of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

Hiking And Kayaking Russia's Lake Baikal

Visitors to Siberia's Lake Baikal encounter endless coastline, brown bears, and exotic hiking to last a lifetime.

Best Backpacking In Tennessee

Our comprehensive guide to the best backpacking you can find in Tennessee.

Paddling Skills

Take your hike into the river with these paddling, kayaking and boating tips.

Different Strokes: Paddling Techniques For Hikers

For a different wilderness experience, try floating down the river in a kayak or canoe.

Raptors Rule Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau Waterway

Paddle Wisconsin's Turtle-Flambeau waterway, watch the aerial show, and lay claim to your own island.

Florida's Big Cypress: Wade This Way

In Florida's Big Cypress National Preserve, you'll walk on water -- almost.

Alaska Lands Act: 20 Years Later

In the 20 years since the passage of the Alaska Lands Act, nothing has changed in many of the state's wild places. And that's reason to celebrate.

Ellicott Rock Wilderness: Rock And Stroll

History is carved in stone in this wild and scenic southern river corridor in North Carolina and Georgia.

River Floating: A Current Affair

Why huff and puff to get to an isolated campsite? Simply grab a paddle, then let the current carry you to a secluded riverside trailhead.

Niobrara National Scenic River, Nebraska

The current carries you through the Great Plains, where buffalo, elk -- and snapping turtles -- roam.

Florida's Oklawaha River

Take a lazy cruise through exotic scenery, where monkeys swing and eagles soar.

Cache River State Natural Area

Not your laid-back summer holiday -- canoeing and hiking galore.

Seven Devils of Hells Canyon

Where you'll share the mountain with curious goats and mysteries of the past.

Bruneau River, Idaho

Raft or hike this desert paradise's secretive canyons -- but don't pass up the hot springs.

Maryland's Big Savage Mountain

Heavy forests and the roar of whitewater wait in this section of the Appalachian Mountains.

Rock Island State Park

Too small to get much attention and a pain in the neck to reach: The perfect Wisconsin escape.

Tiffany Wildlife Area, Wisconsin

A water-lover's Wisconsin wonderland with forests, prairies, and the occasional eagle.

Indian Cave State Park, Nebraska

Where you can look down on soaring eagles and feel the power of the Missouri River.

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

A watery paradise, a hiker's secret.

Wolf River, Tennesee

Once an impassable, swampy "ghost river," now a paddler's dream.

South Carolina's Edisto River

Not much company along this stretch of Deep South blackwater -- and that's just fine.

Illinois' Vermilion River, Kickapoo State Park

A pristine prairie river winds through a sea of corn and beans in the shadow of Chicago.

Kayaking Lake Powell's Glen Canyon

The hidden side of a watery Utah playground.

Wisconsin's Brule River State Forest

Wisconsin's Brule River has great rivers galore -- just don't lose your uncle's canoe.

California's Smith River National Recreation Area

You're as likely to bump into Sasquatch as another human.

Sea Kayaking: Putting Paddle To Water

Sea kayaking might not be difficult, but follow these tips to make the most of your ocean voyages.

Apostle Islands: Lake Superior's Icy Magic

Wisconsin: Explore 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland shoreline where strings of cliffs and caves are bejeweled in ice.

Arkansas' Buffalo National River

Arkansas Buffalo National River features challenging trails and a river-laced wilderness.

Owls In Merchants Millpond State Park

The bawling in the black night is the spring chorus of hooting barred owls.

Wisconsin's Rock Island: Camp Moonbeam

Combine a full harvest moon with a remote island trail for the greatest show on Earth.

Boating With Bald Eagles

The typical Delaware River float trip offers the opportunity to spy more bald eagles than people.

New Hampshire's Chorus Of Loons

A chaotic chorus of loon calls penetrate the darkness, the warbling sounds echoing off the wooded hills around the New Hampshire lake.

Holiday On Arkansas' Ouachita River

Let the masses shop till they drop: On Arkansas's Ouachita River the pace is slow and easy.

Wisconsin River: Going With The Flow

The ambling Wisconsin River has only one speed: full-out relaxed.

Alaska's Glaciers: Going With The Floes

When gently paddling amidst the mini-icebergs that grace Prince William Sound, you ponder one question: why walk?

Juan Of A Kind: Vancouver's Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

Vancouver's Juan de Fuca Marine Trail offers the best of both worlds in a challenging and surprising 29-mile ramble.