10 GORGEOUS PLACE TO CAMP, KAYAK & CANOE TOO

We love to paddle along wild waters whenever we can when we camp. If you do too, you’ll want to see the 10 magnificent water-themed camping destinations we’ve curated below.

Canoe or kayak your way through rivers, lakes, streams and oceans to catch up close and personal views during summer and autumn days, then camp out under the stars, rest your weary muscles, and get ready to further your next-day journeys.

1.BOWRON LAKES PROVINCIAL PARK -- BRITISH COLUMBIA

Bowron Lakes Provincial Park, in the Cariboo Mountains of central British Columbia, offers a magnificent wilderness backdrop for many paddling adventures. There’s an amazing 72-mile circuit of rivers and lakes for you to explore.

And you can rest easy, lakeshore campsites come with bear-proof food storage!

2. EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK -- FLORIDA

Paddle through the Ten Thousand Islands in the Gulf of Mexico -- it’s part of Everglades National Park. You’ll see graceful herons, majestic ospreys, and other gorgeous birds hunting for fish. Dolphins will swim right next to you. And at the end of the day, ocean sunsets will inspire you back at base camp.

Florida Back Country Adventures is a great outfitter to guide you so you don’t get lost in the swamp.

3. OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE -- GEORGIA

Canoeing or kayak amongst loads of alligators might sound a bit scary, but it’s actually so chill. Glide past the prehistoric lizards as they swim beside you and still more sunning themselves on the rocks in the swamp at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, in Georgia. White-tail deer & black bears share the forest with you ashore. Book an outfitter, such as Okefenokee Adventures, for day trips or overnight camping adventures.

4. BELIZE BARRIER REEF -- BELIZE

If you are new to kayaking but still want to go for something exotic, paddle through the Belize Barrier Reef. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the 2nd largest reef in the world. You can camp out on Laughingbird Cay and Silk Cays, or little mangrove islands. You’ll be treated to spectacular diving, snorkeling as well, of course.

5. ORIENTE AMAZON -- ECUADOR

Rio Shiripuno, a tributary of the mighty Amazon River, winds its way through Orienté, in the Ecuadorian Amazon.You can paddle for days, flanked by thick jungle. Parrots and howler monkeys seem to cheer you along. Jaguars lift their heads and stare as you glide past.

You can book an 8-day camping trip trip with Imagine Ecuador.

6. BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE AREA -- MINNESOTA

Boundary Waters Canoe Area, bordered by northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario, has dozens of rivers, and thousands of lakes to paddle through. Camp out in boreal forest in Quetico Provincial Park, a sprawling international wilderness reserve.

7. MEKONG RIVER -- SOUTHEAST ASIA

The Mekong River winds through Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and China. Paddle through jungle lands, past ancient temples, docking at ancient villages along the way.  Ha Long Bay, in Cambodia, gives you more paddle beauty offering incredible views of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor Wat.

Adventure - Cambodia outfitters puts together wonderful guided boating and camping adventures.

8. VAVA’U ISLANDS -- TONGA

Paddle around Vava’u, a group of islands that are part of the South Pacific country of Tonga. Whales, dolphins, and hundreds of species of tropical fish are your company in these pure warm turquoise waters. Explore hidden marine caves. Camp on pristine beaches.

9.  KERALA -- INDIA

The backwaters of Kerala, in southern India, are rife with birds and teeming with fish. After you spend your days canoeing through remarkable natural beauty, treat yourself to well-earned massage at some of the most beautiful natural spas, before tucking into camp at night.

10. OKAVANGO DELTA -- BOTSWANA

Part safari, part paddle party, part camping trip, the Okavango Delta is a perfect adventure mix. It is the largest inland delta in the world. Unlike most river deltas, which empty into seas, the Okavango River forms a delta as empties onto the savannah. Paddle through the wetlands on indigenous dugout canoes at this fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Side safaris, such as those led by Global Basecamps, can easily bring you up close to over 200,000 wild animals at the Moremi Game Reserve, a National Park, on the eastern side of the Delta. The area is also considered as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa.

Read more about Beautiful Camping in 10 Most Beautiful Glamping Spots in France & UK.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Guy Mayer. “Sean ... The perfect solo ( single ) paddle stroke ... In his red canoe.”
2. Image: by Gord McKenna. “Sandy Lake, Bowron Lakes Provincial Park, BC Canada.” Bowron Lakes Provincial Park. British Columbia, Canada.
3. Image: by Tommy Wiklind. “Ten Thousand Islands (and counting).” Everglades National Park. FL.
4. Image: by Jo Jakeman. “Okefenokee.” Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Georgia.
5. Image: by Alex Berger. “Barrier Reef - Sailing Tour - Belize.” Belize Barrier Reef. Belize.
6. Image: by Pierre Pouliquin. “Sul Rio Itaya.” Amazon River. Peru.
7. Image: by Cameron Wittig. Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Minnesota.
8. Image: by Neville Wootton. “Boats moored on a river somewhere between Da Nang and Hoi An.” Mekong River. Vietnam.
9. Image: by Steven and Darusha. “Lava Rock.” Vava’u, Tonga.
10. Image: by Jerry Dohnal. “Kerala, India.” Kerala, India.
11. Image: by Ross Huggett. Okavango Delta. Botswana.
12. Image: by Johanna Remus. “Coolest boat ride ever, Okavango Delta - Botswana.” Okavango Delta. Botswana.
13. Image: by Ross Huggett. Okavango Delta. Botswana.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by Gord McKenna. “Bowron Lakes.” Bowron Lakes Provincial Park. British Columbia, Canada.