Kayak camping involves taking kayaks to a campsite and spending the night. Proper preparation is key, including packing gear in tightly insulated dry bags. Essential items include food, water, shelter, and personal care items. It’s important to pack lightly and focus on high-energy, easy-to-prepare foods.
Kayak camping is an outdoor sport that involves taking kayaks to a campsite and spending the night. A kayak camping trip can last one night, or much longer, depending on personal tastes, and campsites can be reached via rivers, lakes or the open ocean. Properly preparing for a kayak camping trip is key and will make the experience more enjoyable. As you become more experienced with kayak camping, you’ll learn about the equipment that works best for you, your climate, and your environment.
Kayak camping gear starts, of course, with a kayak and paddles. Always carry extra paddles with you, in case of an accident. Depending on the type of vehicle you own, you can either tie the kayak or kayaks to it or tow a trailer with your kayaks secured. Make sure there is safe parking available or someone is available to drop you off and pick you up. You should also pack your kayaks before heading out to make sure all your gear fits and the weight is evenly balanced.
The basic principle of packing for kayak camping is that you should assume that anything you pack can get wet. You can minimize the risk of this by packing supplies in tightly insulated dry bags, plastic or rubber bags that can be sealed. However, if a dry bag goes bad, you want the contents to be usable, so look to pack water-resistant items and fabrics that can be dried quickly and easily. Avoid wool and other materials that will become heavy when wet.
At a minimum, you’ll need food, water, water purification, and shelter. You want to pack as lightly as possible, since you can’t carry too much gear, either by volume or weight, in your kayaks. For shelter in warmer climates, a sleeping bag is sufficient. However, packing a tent or tarp is an excellent idea, especially in cooler areas or a region where it is likely to rain. In addition to food that can be eaten straight, you may want to expand your options by packing a stove, and you should also pack pots, pans, and utensils with which to cook and eat. Try to focus on foods that are high in energy and easy to prepare.
Water is extremely important. In addition to bringing fresh, clean water, a water filter pump should be packed if you have access to fresh water. If not, you’ll need to pack about ¾ gallons (three liters) of water for each camper per day. You should also plan to bring layers of protective clothing, including rain gear. Some people like to wear a wetsuit for kayak camping, with a hat and long-sleeved shirt on top for extra protection.
Personal care items will help make kayak camping more enjoyable. Hairbrushes, toothbrushes, bug spray, aspirin, biodegradable soaps, and other products will help keep campers clean and comfortable. Also, a supply of toilet paper and trash bags should be packed. You should plan to take everything away with you when you leave and you may want to check the laws governing the disposal of biological waste. In some regions, you may be asked to use so-called “honey tubes” to collect waste and take it to the toilet on your return.
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