Paddle + Pedal Power

The practice of hitting the water with a small boat and paddles has been around for thousands of years. Amazingly, humans are still finding ways to reinvent this pastime, with lighter, more portable paddle craft seemingly entering the market each year.

For RVers, these small boats have a special place. The small size of paddle craft (especially the ones that fold or deflate) makes them perfect for the storage-conscious road warrior. Paddling is excellent exercise, putting several upper-body muscles to work and—in the case of stand-up paddleboarding—getting your legs involved. Paddle craft can go places that are inaccessible to boats, skimming across sandbars and entering narrow channels.

Whether you’re a savvy paddler or a newbie, water safety rules apply. Don’t tackle a trip that exceeds your ability, and be sure to apply sunblock. Hydration and a life jacket are critical. Novice paddlers may want to join a beginner’s group tour led by a knowledgeable guide.

Kayaks

Kayaking is the most popular paddle sport in the country, with an estimated 18 million people hitting the water with double-bladed paddles (or, in some cases, using pedal-drive systems) in 2021. Not surprisingly, designers are busy reinventing kayaks to fit every lifestyle, from roomy vessels outfitted for anglers to sleek models built for long trips in rivers, lakes, or along ocean coasts.

Manufacturers have increasingly added portability to the equation, giving RV travelers unprecedented opportunities to join in. These days, kayaks as long as 14 feet can be deflated to fit in a storage compartment.

Oru Haven TT

Built for two paddlers, this folding model features extra-sturdy straps, buckles, and reinforced rails for holding accessories. Users can also convert it to a single model. Considered the most stable kayak in the Oru line, the Haven includes a universal rail track system designed to hold beverages or accessories for fishing and photography.

Length: 16’ 1” | Width: 33” | Weight: 41 LBS | Capacity: 500 LBS | MSRP: $1,999

Feelfree Moken 10 V2

With new features like a Beaver Tail rudder and a height-adjustable seat, this 10-foot kayak is built for maneuverability and comfort. When it comes to the business at hand, the Uni-Track accessory rails, flush-mounted rod holders, and large tank well for gear give anglers the tools for catching and storing lots of critters. The Wheel in the Keel enables users to easily transport the craft to the water. A wide selection of color designs—from pink camo to tie-dye camo—add to the fun.

Length: 10′ | Width: 33” | Weight: 69 LBS | Capacity: 440 LBS | MSRP: $799

3 Waters Big Fish 103

The Big Fish 103 kayak is powered by the Pro Fish Pedal Drive with an 8 Ball steering system and oversized Beaver Tail rudder. The cathedral hull offers stability for hauling in the big trophies and the EZ Rider Comfort seat helps anglers put in long hours on the water. All Big Fish models come in a variety of patterns, including urban camo and seafoam camo.

Length: 10′ 6″ | Width: 35” | Weight: 110 LBS (without seat and drive) | Capacity: 397 LBS | MSRP: $1,899

Bōte Zeppelin Aero Native Aqua Inflatable

This model promises a whole lotta kayaking with a highly versatile watercraft. A self-draining hull, removable floor chamber, and second seat (available standard) make this a potentially pleasing platform for fun seekers. Be sure to use the Magnapod, a magnetized system that secures your frosty beverage to the Zeppelin.

Length: 12′ 6″ | Width: 38” | Weight: 41 LBS | Capacity: 600 LBS | MSRP: $1,199

Aquaglide Deschutes 145

The Deschutes 145 inflatable kayak undergoes a remarkable transformation. From a 25-pound backpack-style storage pack, the kayak inflates to a 14-foot, 7-inch floatable with padded and adjustable seating for two paddlers. Users can stow their gear in the bow and stern deck cargo bungees and use the quick-release, weedless fin for increased tracking.

Length: 14′ 7″ | Width: 38” | Weight: 25.3 LBS | Capacity: 600 LBS | MSRP: $879.99

Tucktec Kayak

When compacted, this lightweight, hard-shell plastic kayak can be transported easily with the help of a shoulder strap and then assembled in minutes. The plastic hull can be angled along fold lines and secured with a system of levers and cotter pins. A retractable fin drops down after launch for stability and tracking. Foam seats can be folded for easy storage, and a variety of bright colors help it cut a snappy profile on the water.

Length: 8′ – 10′ | Width: 30” | Weight: 28 LBS | Capacity: 300 LBS | MSRP: $349-$359

Seastream Angler 120

Made from polyethylene, this sleek kayak comes with several angler-ready features, including the UNI-Track accessory track system, flush-mounted rod holders, rod-tip protection for horizontal rod storage, and an oversized tank well area. A pontoon-style design and a reinforced standing platform enable anglers to get a wider view of the water and reel in fish with confidence. The EZ Rider seat is height-adjustable. Also available in a pedal-drive (PD) version (adds $600 to the MSRP).

Length: 12′ 3″ | Width: 35” | Weight: 95 LBS | Capacity: 450 LBS | MSRP: $799

Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Angler

Take a solo fishing trip in an inflatable kayak that is built for comfort and speed. Using an inflatable needle-knife keel, you’ll enjoy smoother paddling through the water. With quadruple overlapped seams and an optional electric engine with 34-pound thrust, anglers can glide to the nearest secret fishing spot to catch the big one. The swivel seat fishing rig enables anglers to sit higher and turn 360 degrees.

Length: 12′ 6″ | Width: 36” | Weight: 45 LBS | Capacity: 635 LBS | MSRP: $1,199

Canoes

Canoes occupy a special place in the paddling universe. For starters, they’ve been around longer (like, since 8,000 BC), and their wide-open hulls provide plenty of storage space for gear. Canoes also have more stability than kayaks because they’re generally wider.

Designers have also begun blurring the boundaries between kayak and canoe, adding new wrinkles to the tried-and-true canoe design.

Old Town Discovery 119 Canoe

Nothing cuts through the water quite like a hard-shell canoe, and Old Town’s Discovery 119 is agile and easy to handle. It’s also well suited for a double-bladed paddle, giving riders the feel of kayaking. Sit on the nylon web seats and enjoy the roominess of the hull.

Length: 11′ 9″ | Width: 32” | Weight: 50 LBS | Capacity: 500 LBS | MSRP: $999.99

Sea Eagle Travel Canoe 16

The Travel Canoe 16 is the world’s first patented high-pressure all-drop-stitch inflatable canoe. When inflated, the TC 16 is significantly lighter than comparable canoes and is built with high stability, boasting three separate air chambers for safety. Rated for Class IV whitewater.

Length: 16′ | Width: 38” | Weight: 65 LBS | Capacity: 915 LBS | MSRP: $1,799

Stand-Up Paddleboards

Stand-up paddleboarding has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. All you need to hit the water is a board, paddle, and a decent sense of balance (but be prepared for the occasional accidental fall into the water).

Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) look like surfboards, but they’re bigger and more stable, and users don’t have to search for good waves. Manufacturers have made paddleboards for everyone, from laid-back anglers to explorers eager to cover a lot of water. There’s also an impressive array of inflatable boards, making them perfect candidates for RV travel.

Bluefin Cruise Carbon

Designed for stability and speed, the Cruise Carbon board comes with an attachable kayak seat, and the dual-chamber, triple-action pump makes inflating the board easy. The carbon fiber rail layer provides rigidity and support. The whole package comes in a wheeled carrying bag.

Length: 10′ 8″ – 15′ (Tandem) | Width: N/A | Weight: 31.7-46.7 LBS | Capacity: 330 LBS-530 LBS | MSRP: $809-$999

California Board Company Marlin

CBC deftly marries the worlds of paddleboarding and angling with the 10-foot Marlin Foam Fishing SUP. A detachable metal rack that holds up to two fishing rods connects to the deck. Additional mounts built into the board allow users to attach a small cooler to store big hauls and do double duty as a seat. The board is built with a high-density EPS foam waterproof core, which is lightweight but rugged.

Length: 10′ | Width: 33” | Weight: 28 LBS | Capacity: 300 LBS | MSRP: $879.99

Bōte Rover Aero Classic Teak Inflatable Micro Skiff

This category-defying inflatable paddleboard can serve as a dinghy, a tender, or a motorized inflatable paddleboard, and it stores in a bag at the end of the day. With an 11-inch depth but only 3 inches of draft, the Aero allows riders to explore hard-to-reach places. The Rover Aero is built with the Power Rac, a battery-operated command center with built-in lights. Motor, electric pump, and Rac are sold separately.

Length: 12′ 6″ | Width: 40.5” | Weight: 63 LBS | Capacity: 500 LBS | MSRP: $1,644.30

Overton’s Inflatable SUP Package

Overton’s Inflatable Stand-Up Paddleboard is built with drop-stitch construction for sturdiness. The full, round nose is designed for stability and a smooth glide. Bungee tie-down straps and the rear D-ring allow for quick anchoring and stowing. The whole package includes a storage bag, a three-piece paddle, and a dual-action pump.

Length: 10′ 6″ | Width: 32” | Weight: 44 LBS | Capacity: 350 LBS | MSRP: $299

iRocker All Around Ultra Inflatable

With new woven drop-stitch construction, this board is ideal for solo riders, although two smaller riders can use it. A long twin fin is designed for smooth tracking and fast paddling. The board comes with an electric pump for quick inflation. The bundle includes a kayak blade, kayak seat, and Onyx M16 inflatable Safety Life Belt.

Length: 11′ | Width: 32” | Weight: 21.4 LBS | Capacity: 290 LBS | MSRP: $799.99 ($1,010 bundle)

Park. Camp. Paddle.

It’s not hard to find waterfront campgrounds that accommodate kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and canoeing. Here are a few campgrounds with fun waterways—including oceans, lakes, and rivers—just a short distance from campsites.

Campland on the Bay, San Diego, CA

Guests at Campland on Mission Bay in San Diego can launch their craft a few short steps from their campsites. Mission Bay is a great watery playground, encompassing 2,235 acres with 19 miles of shoreline. Bring your own floatable or rent one from Adventure Water Sports located on the campground property.

Antelope Point Marina RV Park, Page, AZ

Bone-dry desert terrain gives way to sprawling Lake Powell at this RV campground near the Utah border. Guests can launch a canoe, kayak, or SUP and follow the course of winding Antelope Creek with starkly beautiful scenery on the banks. It’s only a few miles from Horseshoe Bend. Fishing licenses are sold on-site.

Grassy Key RV Park & Resort, Marathon, FL

This scenic spot in the Florida Keys is a tropical playground for lovers of kayaks and SUPs. Launch a floatable from this laid-back, big-rig-friendly RV resort into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, or head inland to explore mangrove tunnels. Group tours and planned activities are also available.