Basics Of Canoe Camping
If you have never been canoe camping, you should try it some time. Canoe camping offers many benefits that you cannot get with other types of camping. The combination of canoeing and camping is one that ranks up there high in the eyes of many. Canoeing gives you the ability to discover places that were only imaginable while standing on the shore.
Before heading out on the river you will want to consider some things:
First of all, it is a good idea to get a map, you could easily map out your trip online, or you could get a GPS device.
How long will you want to travel? The average number of miles covered in a day will vary from 12 to 20. A good rule of thumb a standard canoe will move at a rate of about two miles per hour in relation to the water's surface when paddled by two competent adults at a moderate pace. Add to this the speed of the current (perhaps 1-2 miles per hour) and you can see that you theoretically should be making about 3-4 miles per hour. Factor in the variables of wind, rapids, distractions, laziness . . . you'll generally make between 2-5 miles per hour.
Make a map of where you want to end up each day and try to stick to it. Its a good idea to find a place to camp a couple of hours before it gets dark. Its too difficult to set up camp in the dark.
The nice thing about canoe camping is that you can carry a lot of stuff in your canoe. Here are just a few items you should carry with you. (I will go into detail about each item in another article, for now I just want you to think about the basics of canoeing gear.)
Boating Gear
Camping Gear
Food/cooking
Day gear for the canoe
First Aid Kit
Clothing
Personal gear
Emergency Kit
Canoe camping gives you the ability to camp alongside an undeveloped setting by the river. You wont have the distractions of a public camping site and most likely you will not have to pay any campsite fee. Canoeing gives you the ability to really connect with nature, as you paddle down the quite river and take in all the sites, smells, and sounds of nature you really begin to feel one with nature.
So I urge you, if you have stood on the banks of a river and loved looking at the water, you really should try canoeing. You will soon discover all the wonderful things canoeing has to offer. If you need to find a canoe or even a kayak I found a great site called www.geared4camping.com. You might want to check this out.
Before heading out on the river you will want to consider some things:
First of all, it is a good idea to get a map, you could easily map out your trip online, or you could get a GPS device.
How long will you want to travel? The average number of miles covered in a day will vary from 12 to 20. A good rule of thumb a standard canoe will move at a rate of about two miles per hour in relation to the water's surface when paddled by two competent adults at a moderate pace. Add to this the speed of the current (perhaps 1-2 miles per hour) and you can see that you theoretically should be making about 3-4 miles per hour. Factor in the variables of wind, rapids, distractions, laziness . . . you'll generally make between 2-5 miles per hour.
Make a map of where you want to end up each day and try to stick to it. Its a good idea to find a place to camp a couple of hours before it gets dark. Its too difficult to set up camp in the dark.
The nice thing about canoe camping is that you can carry a lot of stuff in your canoe. Here are just a few items you should carry with you. (I will go into detail about each item in another article, for now I just want you to think about the basics of canoeing gear.)
Boating Gear
Camping Gear
Food/cooking
Day gear for the canoe
First Aid Kit
Clothing
Personal gear
Emergency Kit
Canoe camping gives you the ability to camp alongside an undeveloped setting by the river. You wont have the distractions of a public camping site and most likely you will not have to pay any campsite fee. Canoeing gives you the ability to really connect with nature, as you paddle down the quite river and take in all the sites, smells, and sounds of nature you really begin to feel one with nature.
So I urge you, if you have stood on the banks of a river and loved looking at the water, you really should try canoeing. You will soon discover all the wonderful things canoeing has to offer. If you need to find a canoe or even a kayak I found a great site called www.geared4camping.com. You might want to check this out.
