Kayaking at campground

[NMDoyle]

Looking for suggestions on campgrounds within a 5hr ride of the Philadelphia metro area that have water access for kayaking. We are new to kayaking, so nice calm water would be preferable. Thanks!

[atreis]

If you're up with a little more of an adventure: Assateague Island. Bay Side kayaking is quite good.

[OldRadios]

Plenty of canoing and kayaking in the Adirondacks. Kayaking in the mountains is great. Had an eagle pick a fish out of the water 12 feet off my bow a couple of years ago. There are hundreds of really nice boondocking sites right on the water in a lot of different areas.

Here's a site you can actually see photos of the sites on the water in some of the campgrounds:
NY Campsite Guide

I wish more web sites showed individual campsite photos.

[Raymon]

There are 3 very nice campgrounds in PA. Thompkins Campground at Cowanesque Lake in upper PA just a couple of miles south of the New York state line is nice. Also, Sinnemahoning state park located in central PA is nice. Shawnee state park not far off the PA turnpike in central Pa is nice. They all have nice calm lakes. You never stated what kind of facilities you are looking for. Hope this helps.

Ray

[Drbolasky]

Since you're still getting the hang of the kayaking thing I'll suggest a stay at Buttonwood CG in Mexico, PA. Access is to the Juniata River and you can end your kayak trip right at the CG. Different length trips are available.

[dahkota]

Janes Island State Park is the first place we ever kayaked.

Assateague State Park or Assateague Island National Seashore are also good.

[ependydad]

det62 wrote:

ependydad wrote:

det62 wrote:
Point Lookout State Park in Maryland

I'm not sure that I'd recommend this location for new kayakers. That's a lot of exposed water and with the shallowness of the Chesapeake Bay, conditions can change incredibly quickly.

Otherwise, for the OP - Circle M in Millersville, MD has a creek that runs as a horseshoe around it.

If they put the kayaks in at the Nature Center...they should be just fine in the lake and waterways there. I wasn't suggesting they go out into the Bay!! :W

I saw that- I wasn't sure how accessible that was from the campground. 🙂

[det62]

ependydad wrote:

det62 wrote:
Point Lookout State Park in Maryland

I'm not sure that I'd recommend this location for new kayakers. That's a lot of exposed water and with the shallowness of the Chesapeake Bay, conditions can change incredibly quickly.

Otherwise, for the OP - Circle M in Millersville, MD has a creek that runs as a horseshoe around it.

If they put the kayaks in at the Nature Center...they should be just fine in the lake and waterways there. I wasn't suggesting they go out into the Bay!! :W

[weathershak]

Island Resort CG

Just outside of OC Maryland. Nice clean CG with large sites.You have access to a small lake, but best of all, there is a ramp right at the CG to launch your Kayak or Canoe to paddle in salt water right to Assateague Island. Check out the web site.

[ependydad]

det62 wrote:
Point Lookout State Park in Maryland

I'm not sure that I'd recommend this location for new kayakers. That's a lot of exposed water and with the shallowness of the Chesapeake Bay, conditions can change incredibly quickly.

Otherwise, for the OP - Circle M in Millersville, MD has a creek that runs as a horseshoe around it.

[pa_traveler]

Rickets Glen PA, people love it there ,lake for kayaking.

[det62]

Point Lookout State Park in Maryland

[mbopp]

It's outside your 5-hour limit, but the Adirondacks in NY have primo paddling opportunities.

[wbwood]

We bought kayaks last summer and got to take them out once while camping before it got too cold. Although it's further than the 5 hrs you mentioned, it was worthy of noting. Julian Price Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkaway is outside of Blowing Rock, NC. It has a small lake that is great for kayaking and canoeing. Check out pics of our trip.

[Tachdriver]

Kentucky River Campground, right on the KY River, has good flow too.