Epic Kayak Adventures in the South
Cave glow floats? Check. Jaw-dropping waterfalls? Check. Kayak winery tours? Check. These incredible kayak adventures in the South deserve a spot on your bucket list! Image: Facebook / Golden Isles
Craving the great outdoors? Southern rivers offer something for everyone, from adrenaline-pumping rapids to laid-back floats and everything in between. All you need is a kayak and a little curiosity! Explore swamps, bayous, and caves, float with manatees, and take in city views from the river. Here’s our list of the most epic kayak adventures in the South.
Alabama: Whitewater in Wetumpka
Location: Wetumpka, Alabama
The Mocassin Gap stretch of the Coosa River in Wetumpka is a heart-pumping section of Alabama’s Scenic River Trail, the longest National Water Recreation Trail in the country. Race down Class II and III whitewater rapids and wind around river islands full of ancient cypress trees — the islands create numerous routes for endless fun.
Coosa River Adventures offers rentals and shuttle services if you want to BYOK (bring your own kayak). While the outfitter allows paddlers as young as six years old, they advise caution due to the swift-moving water.
Arkansas: Float the Buffalo River
Location: Ponca, Arkansas
The Buffalo National River in Arkansas boasts some of the best paddling in the region. The 10.7-mile stretch from Ponca to Kyles Landing is the most scenic, with awe-inspiring views of the tallest limestone bluff and the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies: Big Bluff and Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls.
Rent a kayak from the Buffalo Outdoor Center and prepare for a four to six-hour float surrounded by the Arkansas wilderness. The best time to ride the river is March through June, but make sure you plan ahead, because weekend rentals are almost always booked solid.
Florida: Paddle with Manatees
Location: Blue Spring State Park, Florida
Glide alongside manatees at Blue Spring State Park, just 45 minutes north of Orlando. Each winter, the St. Johns River transforms into a manatee metropolis as hundreds of sea cows make their way to the warm spring waters. Blue Spring Adventures offers guided 90-minute river tours during manatee season to observe the gentle giants in their natural habitat. The best time to spot them is from mid-November through March.
Georgia: Explore the Golden Isles Coastal Wetlands
Location: Golden Isles, Georgia
Explore the breathtaking Golden Isles from the water on a kayak tour with SouthEast Adventure Outfitters. With tours for all ages and skill levels, it’s a unique experience the whole family can enjoy. Not sure where to begin? Try the popular two-hour Turtle Town Nature Tour. Bring your binoculars and keep an eye out for dolphins and even manatees as you take in the breathtaking coastal views.
Further inland, the outfitter offers a Cathead Creek tour through the Altamaha River Delta. Surround yourself with cypress trees, tupelo, and diverse wildlife as you paddle through one of the Nature Conservancy’s “Last Great Places in the World.”
Kentucky: Experience a Cave Glow Tour
Location: Red River Gorge, Kentucky
Hop in a clear-bottom, LED-lit kayak with SUP Kentucky, and get ready for a unique adventure as you explore a flooded limestone mine at the Red River Gorge. From rainbow trout darting beneath you to Kentucky brown bats resting on the cave walls above, you never know what you might see on this 90-minute tour.
There’s even an impressive underground waterfall! Tours are open to ages five and up, with helmets and headlamps provided for safety. Clear stand-up paddleboards are available for those who want a traditional SUP experience.
Louisiana: Tour a New Orleans Swamp
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Discover the magic of the historic Manchac Swamp on this two to three hour tour. The swamp boasts a rich history, frequented by early Native Americans and later by cypress loggers, and it’s even said to have been home to a Voodoo Queen. It’s just half an hour from New Orleans, and draws nature photographers from all over.
Local guides with Wild Louisiana Swamp Tours will share their expertise on the nature and history of the Manchac. Keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles and osprey overhead and alligators, snakes, and turtles below. It’s a slow-moving bayou, ideal for paddlers of all skill levels.
Mississippi: Canoe the Great River
Location: Clarksdale, Mississippi
For this epic adventure, we’re trading our kayaks for hand-carved canoes. The Quapaw Canoe Company has been leading guided tours down the Lower Mississippi for more than 25 years, offering everything from short, fun downstream trips to multi-day (or multi-week) expeditions.
Owner (and self-proclaimed “river rat”) John Ruskey and his team of guides will teach you everything you need to know about the history, nature, and legacy of the Great River as you explore its bayous, oxbows, and floodplains.
North Carolina: Choose Your Own Adventure on the French Broad River
Location: Asheville and Rosman
Stretching from Rosman, North Carolina, all the way to Newport, Tennessee, the French Broad River offers 218 miles of bliss. It’s considered one of the world’s oldest rivers, winding through Pisgah National Forest and the valleys of the Blue Ridge Mountains.With access points throughout, you can choose your own adventure with the French Broad Paddle Company, whether you’re looking for a lazy float or a heart-pumping whitewater experience.
In Asheville, go for a leisurely self-guided float along the stunning Biltmore Estate lands, and take in the views of the mansion and majestic Appalachians. The Asheville Adventure Company has a private takeout spot and bar in the heart of the River Arts District, so you can relax with an ice-cold beer at the conclusion of your trip.
The Headwaters section of the river, located in Rosman, features Class I rapids that are perfect for novice paddlers to enjoy an adrenaline jolt. Book a self-guided trip through Headwaters Outfitters and wind through sharp river bends and paddle over fast-moving shoals, all with a beautiful Carolina backdrop. The outfitter also offers a taproom and is a regular spot for food trucks.
South Carolina: Paddle Lake Jocassee
Location: Salem, South Carolina
Lake Jocassee, Cherokee for “Place of the Lost One,” is a reservoir flooding the Jocassee Valley. The spring-fed lake covers 7,500 acres, reaches depths of 385 feet, and is one of the cleanest and clearest lakes in the region. The crystal-clear waters offer visibility of up to 50 feet below the surface in some areas, making it easy to marvel at what lies beneath.
To get the full Lake Jocassee experience, book a kayak tour with Jocassee Lake Tours. A leisurely pontoon boat ride will take you and your kayak to the best parts of the lake, where you’ll paddle under waterfalls, explore quiet coves, and enjoy secluded swimming spots. Let the naturalist guides share their deep knowledge of the area while you enjoy a fun and relaxing day on the water.
Tennessee: Kayak Burgess Falls
Location: Sparta, Tennessee
Tennessee deserves its own list of epic kayak adventures because there are just too many to name. But one to definitely add to your bucket list is Burgess Falls, just 90 minutes outside of Nashville. Part of the appeal is the towering 103-foot-tall waterfall, which surged in popularity over the past several years, and is accessible only by water.
The two-mile paddle is on a tranquil, still-water lake, making it very beginner-friendly for ages nine and up. Kayaking Adventures of Tennessee prides itself on being a ‘no rush’ experience, so expect to spend five to six hours on the trip, and be sure to pack lunch and plenty of water. Plan ahead for this trip; they book up a few months in advance in the summer.
Texas: Experience a Sunset and Bat-Watching Tour
Location: Austin, Texas
Texans know that one of the best ways to experience Austin is on the water. Get Up and Go Kayaking offers clear kayak guided tours along Lady Bird Lake, where you’ll enjoy the great Texas outdoors while also taking in the impressive Austin skyline.
For something out of the ordinary, take a sunset and bat-watching tour from March through October and get the best view in the city of the world’s largest urban bat colony under the Congress Avenue Bridge.
Virginia: Take a Kayak + Winery Tour
Location: Cape Charles, Virginia
The kayak winery tour at Chatham Vineyards is the first of its kind in the world. Paddle the beautiful Chesapeake Bay with Southeast Expeditions and enjoy a glass of award-winning wine all on one unforgettable experience. This calm, scenic stretch of Church Creek is easy for any paddler and ends at the banks of Chatham Farm.
The tour includes a complimentary wine tasting flight and a bottle of Church Creek wine for every paddling pair. Snacks, cheese plates, and freshly baked bread are also available to keep you fueled.
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.