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Planning a Kayak Trip: Introduction

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Planning a kayak trip can be a lot of work, but for many people it is a labor of love. Contact outfitters or friends for advice, but be prepared to answer some of the below questions regarding your plans:

• Day trip or overnight trip? Day trips are usually either half-day or full-day, and they are much easier to plan than are overnight trips because you don’t need to think about camping or cooking. Overnight trips, however, have the added appeal of combining kayaking and camping.
• Hire a guide or go it alone? A guide takes away from the solitude of a kayak trip, but if it is your first overnight trip or if you are traveling in a group, you may want to pay the added expense to hire a guide. Many rivers, however, are easily navigable, and outfitters do not offer guides.
• Who is traveling? Simply make sure that everyone has a seat. Most kayaks seat one person, but you can also rent or purchase two-person crafts.
• Time and Money? How much are you willing to pay and how long do you want to be on the river? A day trip might cost only twenty to forty dollars per kayak, but a multi-day guided trip could cost several hundred dollars per person. If you plan on taking a long trip or multiple trips, look into purchasing your own kayak.

Finally, don’t forget to think about your goals for the trip. Tell the outfitter if you are interested in fishing or hiking; they can tell you the best spots. If you are just going for the solitude or the scenery, plan your trips for “unpopular” times of year.

Next Page: Planning a Kayak Trip: When and Where to Go

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