Can You Kayak Anywhere? Kayak Travel Rules Explained

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You can kayak in most bodies of water, assuming they are safe and you have permission to do so. Some lakes and rivers are public property or might require you to gain permission via a permit to kayak on the water.

Can you kayak anywhere? Are there rules as to where you can navigate a kayak?

Here are the basics:

  • You can kayak anywhere in the U.S. if the water body is navigable
  • If you can travel safely with a self-powered boat, you can kayak.
  • If the water body is deemed safe by the US Coast Guard or other official entity, you’re in the clear.

Before getting out into the water, it’s essential to know the rules and laws regarding kayaking. You run the risk of being fined if you are caught kayaking where you shouldn’t be.


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Can You Kayak Anywhere?

Kayaking is legal in all navigable waters in the United States. Generally speaking, if the water isn’t too dangerous and a self-powered boat can safely travel the waterway, kayaking is permitted.

Generally speaking, if the water isn’t too dangerous and a self-powered boat can safely travel the waterway, kayaking is permitted.


Get to Know Your Area’s Kayak Regulations

Kayaking and paddling are legal in most areas, but there are occasional exceptions (don’t go kayaking around Area 51!). Ensure you know the local boating regulations. State laws vary regarding boat ownership, so make sure you know the laws in the area of water you plan to kayak.

You may need to register your boat officially in some places, and some may require special equipment for your boat. 


Is Registering a Kayak Necessary?

Similarly to registering your car, kayaks and other small craft may also need to be registered depending on the state. For instance, motorized kayaks require registration in California, while oar-powered kayaks do not.

If you’ve got a motor, you almost certainly need to register the boat. If you don’t have a motor, the laws will vary by state and location.

If you’ve got a motor, you almost certainly need to register the boat. If you don’t have a motor, the laws will vary by state and location.

If you plan to go kayaking in your state, check the laws. A boating education course may even be required in some states, according to the type of vessel you intend to operate. In particular, while kayaking with young ones, educate them about water safety and ensure they and you have the proper safety gear.


Kayaking in Private and Public Water Bodies

Different types of water bodies are owned and regulated in different manners throughout the US. For example, all rivers are public, while some lakes and ponds are private. We’ll explain it all below.

Rivers and Streams

Paddling through privately owned rivers may be an issue for some people. However, legally, the United States declares rivers public waters. So long as you navigate in the river, kayaking is legal.

Concerning river access, some misconceptions are common:

  • Public access is only available to large rivers, but not to smaller rivers on public property
  • The land around a river is included in a landowner’s property deed, which makes the river private
  • States own rivers, and parts of rivers or surrounding banks can be sold whenever they want

There is no truth to these misconceptions about rivers in the United States. Rivers are officially public land, according to the Supreme Court. Public land means land and water above the highest waterline along the shore are available to the public for use. Despite a landowner’s deed including adjoining property, this remains true. 

Streams and rivers are not owned by states but are held in trust for the benefit of the public.

Streams and rivers are not owned by states but are held in trust for the benefit of the public.

Lakes and Ponds

There is a whole other story regarding lakes and ponds.

Public or private ownership is possible for smaller inland lakes. To kayak on lakes like this, it is first necessary to verify that they are public lakes. 

In the case of a privately owned lake, the owner would have to give you permission to kayak. Midwest Great Lakes have all been determined to be publicly owned by the Supreme Court, so kayaking is permitted. 

Ponds are sometimes private, sometimes public.

Reservoirs

Kayaking in a reservoir is certainly possible! All you need to do is find a safe place to launch and land, understand weather patterns, and look for areas marked as “ prohibited ” for boats without motors. You can be taken to court and issued with a fine if you are found to be in prohibited kayaking areas.

There are a lot of reservoirs that offer great paddling opportunities thanks to their longer “fingers” that shield them against the wind. They provide opportunities for wildlife viewing and bird watching. 

A reservoir can appeal to paddlers with more experience who want to plan a multi-day trip with an overnight stay. Those touring kayaks should check to see if any reservoirs have shoreline campsites with only boat access.

A reservoir can appeal to paddlers with more experience.


Paddling in the Ocean

If you plan to paddle mostly on the ocean, familiarize yourself with U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) rules and regulations. Coastal waters are patrolled both by Coast Guard and local officers. These regulations have quite a bit of overlap, making it unnecessary for you to study them all to ensure you’re compliant.

As a result, the Coast Guard also patrols some waterways and lakes inland. In Lake Tahoe, for instance, county officials patrol the four corners of the lake.  


Rules for Different Kayaks at Sea

Is your rigid kayak or inflatable kayak shorter than 3.5 meters? You have what’s known as a beach craft. The maximum distance from shore is 300 meters (the distance at which a vessel may dock or anchor safely and sail away without assistance). 

It’s not mandatory to use buoyancy aids, but very strongly recommended in case of capsizing so that getting back in the boat is easier. Your kayak is a sea vessel if it’s a rigid kayak or an inflatable kayak with a minimum of two air chambers over 3.50 meters in length and has been declared “seaworthy”. You can then kayak up to two nautical miles from shore.


Tips for Kayaking 

  • Kayaks are not allowed in swimming areas unless they are deemed beach crafts
  • Find out if your route passes through any protected areas
  • If you are paddling a kayak, you will take precedence over motorized vessels due to the kayak’s unrestricted maneuverability

Conclusion

It doesn’t take a lot to get into kayaking, and human-powered water sports in general! So you can enjoy the sport legally in most areas. The most important thing to remember is to wear a life jacket when you go kayaking. 

Whatever body of water you are in or how well you are trained in swimming, nothing replaces water safety gear. Always ensure you kayak where you are allowed to be to avoid getting into trouble with the law and being issued a fine.