OT: Kayak / Canoe destinations

[PaMtbRider]

Any flat water paddlers here? We are looking for a summer destination to paddle our kayaks and do some bike riding. Destination needs to be within 1 to 1-1/2 days drive from our home in southern Pa. Our plans are to camp in our Airstream. Ideally we would be setup on a lake somewhere, kayak in the morning, and then head out for an afternoon bike ride.

Our first thought is Acadia National Park in Maine. Any other suggestions?

We just bought a new van / toy hauler that is going to let us take all our toys with us when we go camping. With the previous pickup truck we could bring bicycles, but the kayaks and motorcycles stayed at home.

Old truck with our Airstream.
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New van to haul all the toys.

[kmla320]

The Adirondacks.Fish Creek Ponds State campsite.When you put a canoe in right from the campsites you can paddle all day with only short portages.

[Hilltopperny]

Adirondacks is also what I'd suggest. Lots of different spots to camp, kayak, ride bikes and motorcycles. I live just outside the southern park and there is no shortage of lakes, seasonal dirt/gravel roads, fire roads, hiking trails, state parks and paved roads that I can ride to from my front door. It is also legal to ride your dirtbike and atv on the roads in between the endless trail system.

[buddybikes]

Southern Maine estuaries. We love Scarborough, just south of Portland, paddle for hours without seeing another boat. There are few campground right on/near the ocean. No idea about availability. Acadia great, but of course like any of maine gets crazy, it is sea kayaking, and prepping (compass, charts, etc) mandatory.

Regarding lakes, Lake Willoughby in northeast kingdom Vermont is intense, and riding of course matches.

willougby copy.jpg

[PaMtbRider]

Lake Willoughby looks interesting. I know the kingdom trails have a great reputation for mountain biking. Is there good road and / or gravel riding there as well?

The Adirondacks seems like an obvious choice. We've vacationed there for the past 2 years and enjoy the area. We might spend another week in the Adirondacks later in the year, depending on when Dirtphalt is held this year.

[jlyon]

Kayak lake Umbagog. Normally start from the New Hampshire side.

Cycle Dixville Notch maybe a good hike to table rock.

More good kayaking in Maine lakes below the Forks where you can do some good whitewater rafting fun but mild enough for children.

Walk to see Moxie falls one of the highest in New England.

[CNY rider]

Dirtphalt is on Columbus Day weekend October 6-8. Hope you got my PM last week.
Excited to hear all about your Quigley. Something we are considering for the future.

[jonc]

I've spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks, paddling, riding, and hiking. The wilderness is excellent and it can be very remote. The paddling is excellent and there are great opportunities to link together overnight trips or to do day trips and explore different areas. That comes at the expense of low traffic roads, however. Because there is so much wilderness, there are many areas that don't have public roads through them and it can be challenging to link routes together without doing out and backs, or without doing 80-100 miles. Also, motorized use of backcountry is pretty restricted, that includes mountain bikes.

Hiking and paddling are really where the Adirondacks shine, but there are really nice opportunities to ride also. I would also suggest the Fish Creek area. I've ridden many of those roads, and you can actually link things together there more so than in other parts of the park. From there you could easily ride to Whiteface and climb before crushing down to Lake Placid and back. I spend most of my time around Long Lake and it can be a little more challenging for road riding without riding main roads the whole time.

[echelon_john]

If dirt roads are your thing, look at the Bow Trip out of Jackman, Maine,or the West Branch of the Penobscot River.

Both are fantastic canoeing options and much quieter than Acadia. Riding around Acadia in peak summer isn't great with the amount of tourist traffic.

Second the Adirondacks as a home base, too. Plenty of options for amazing paddling & riding.

[SlowPokePete]

I like the paddling and road riding around Assateague Island in Maryland.

There is camping on Assateague, but we camp at Castaways, a bit of a resort but directly on the bay with lots of nice perks.

Got a dog?


















SPP

[mg2ride]

I don't have enough experience to offer specifics but the entire Chesapeake Bay water shed offers great spots for both flat land cycling and Kayaking.

The Northern Neck of VA is where I would look first.

[Ken Robb]

Finger Lakes Area in NY? Leslie and I had a couple of fine visits to Canandaigua. Lovely uncrowded town and lake even in July.

[PaMtbRider]

I obviously need to retire. So many great places to go, whether it's to bike, kayak, or just visit. Thanks for all the suggestions so far.


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[weisan]

Originally Posted by PaMtbRider

New van to haul all the toys.

But PMR pal, where you gonna sleep, or shower, or pee?

Edit: Neee.vvverrmind....that van is gonna put out 2000 hp! to pull your airstream.