California Paddling Destinations
Canoe, Kayak Rental, Float, Boat, Fish
River Resorts & Cabin Rentals
California has abundant rivers and lakes located throughout the state and some of them are still flowing. Drought years can effect these waterways, so call ahead to make sure there is indeed enough water to paddle.
We list overnight lodges, cabins & campgrounds that you can enjoy the water up close. Paddle a kayak, river raft, rent a canoe, swim in the lake, or learn to fly fish.
This is by far not a complete list of waterfront destinations, but just a start. We will be adding more locations as we continue to update this page in the near future.
california river list
American River, Sierra Nevada
Camp Lotus Resort
5461 Bassi Road
Lotus, CA 95651
530-622-8672
riverside campground w/ RV & tent camping
Coloma Resort
Highway 49 @ American River
Coloma, CA
800-238-2298
California Historic Gold Country
Big Bear, San Bernardino NF
Bucks Lake, North Sierra Nevada
- Bucks Lake, CA
- Bucks Lake Resort
- Silver Lake Campground
Carson Pass, Sierra Nevada
Kit Carson Lodge
32161 Kit Carson Rd,
Kit Carson, CA 95644
seasonal, open only during summer
Silver Lake @ Carson
California Highway 88
Clear Lake, Northern Cal
Blue Lakes Resort, aka
The Lodge at Blue Lakes, Clear Lake, CA
lakeside guest rooms and kayak rentals
Ebbetts Pass, Sierra Nevada
Lake Alpine Resort, aka
Lake Alpine Lodge
Bear Valley, California Highway 4
Klamath River, Northern Cal
Klamath River Lodge
34395 Highway 96
Orleans, CA 95556
707-499-0901
built in 1930’s
Klamath River Resort Inn
61700 Highway 96
Happy Camp, CA 96039
530-493-2735
Sandy Bar Ranch
797 Ishi-Pishi Road
Orleans, CA 95556
530-627-3379
Lake Tahoe Destinations
- Homewood
- South Lake Tahoe
- Tahoe City
Lakes Basin Recreation Area
- Bassetts Station
- Ellwell Lakes Lodge Cabin Rentals
- Gold Lake Resort Cabins
- Lake Basin Campgrounds
Long Beach, CA
Mad River, Northern Cal
Ruth Lake Campground, Six Rivers National Forest
McCloud, CA
- Fridays RV & Fly Fishing Retreat, Squaw Valley Road
- McCloud River, Shasta National Forest
Newport Beach, CA
Redding, CA
Redding to Red Bluff Boating Trail, Sacramento River
Russian River, Northern Cal
Highland Dell Lodge
21050 River Boulevard
Monte Rio, CA 95462
707-865-2300
Historic Wooden Retreat w/ Restaurant on Russian River, since 1906
San Diego, CA
- Coronado
- La Jolla
- Mission Bay / Mission Beach
- Ocean Beach
- Pacific Beach
- Point Loma
- San Diego Bay
raft
Salmon River, Northern Cal
Otter Bar Lodge
14026 Salmon River Rd
Forks of Salmon, CA 96031
530-462-4772
Kayak school and lodging
Santa Barbara Mountains
Cachuma Lake County Park
Yurt Rentals & Campground
Lake Cachuma, CA
805-568-2460
Santa Barbara Mountains
Scott River, Northern Cal
Scott River Lodge
19432 Scott River Rd
Fort Jones, CA 96032
530-496-3167
Yosemite Area
- Bass Lake, developed resorts
- Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
- Merced Lake HSC, tent cabins (hike-in only)
- Merced River
- Saddlebag Lake Campground
- Tuolumne River
Yuba River, Sierra Nevada
Lure Resort, Downieville, CA
river front cabins on North Yuba River