What to Pack for Your Canoe Trip
We’ve put together this guide to help you know exactly what to bring — and what you can leave at home. If you have any questions or aren’t sure whether you should bring something, just reach out. We’re always happy to help you get prepared for your adventure!
What’s Included
Your canoe trip includes the essential camping and canoeing equipment you’ll need for your adventure.
- Canoes
- Paddles
- Personal flotation devices (PFDs)
- Camping equipment
- Dry bags
- Group cooking equipment
- Meals and snacks
- Bug nets
- Experienced guides
- Water filter
- Emergency equipment
What to Pack
Clothing
When canoeing, it’s important to dress for both comfort and protection from the elements. We recommend avoiding shorts and tank tops while on the water, as you’ll be exposed to both bugs and the sun. Instead, choose lightweight, long pants and long-sleeve shirts for extra coverage.
Bring layers so you can adjust to changing temperatures throughout the day. A warm fleece or wool jacket is recommended for cooler mornings and evenings. A waterproof rain jacket and rain pants are also essential for staying dry if the weather changes.
Pack:
- Long pants
- Long-sleeve shirts
- T-shirts
- Warm fleece or wool jacket
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Waterproof rain pants
- Underwear
- Extra socks
- Sleepwear
- Swimsuit
- Sun hat
- Warm hat
- Light gloves
Footwear
You’ll want footwear that works both in and out of the canoe.
For the canoe, choose water-friendly shoes such as water sandals, diving shoes, or flip-flops. These are ideal for getting in and out of the canoe and for activities around the water.
For camp, bring comfortable running shoes or lightweight shoes to wear when you’re not on the water.
Pack:
- Water shoes, water sandals, diving shoes, or flip-flops
- Comfortable shoes for camp
- Extra socks
Personal Items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Personal toiletries
- Any medications you need
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insect repellent, if desired
- Reusable water bottle
- Small personal towel
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Camera or phone
- Portable charger/power bank
- Book, cards, or other small activities for camp
Sleeping Gear
If you have a sleeping bag you like, please bring it. If you don’t have one, or don’t want to bring your own, we have sleeping bags available to rent for $25/person. This is just to cover the cost of cleaning.
Packing Your Gear
We recommend packing your belongings in a duffle bag for your canoe trip. At our office, we will provide you with two dry bags to keep your belongings protected from water.
Large Dry Bag
Your duffle bag will fit inside the large dry bag. This makes it easy to transport your gear to camp and keep everything dry.
Small Dry Bag
This is perfect for items you’ll want to have easily accessible while you’re in the canoe, such as your phone, camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, or snacks.
Insect Protection
We provide lightweight bug nets that fit over your head to help protect you from insects while you’re outside.
We also recommend wearing long sleeves and long pants as a simple and effective way to protect yourself from bugs.
If you choose to bring DEET-based insect repellent:
- Apply it to your clothing where possible, such as cuffs and collars.
- Avoid getting DEET or other insect repellent into the lakes or rivers.
- If you go swimming, make sure to wipe off any repellent before entering the water.
We spend a lot of time enjoying and caring for this beautiful wilderness, so we ask that you help us protect the lakes and surrounding environment.