Camping and kayaking are two activities that are staples of summer where you can get outdoors and enjoy everything that Mother Nature has to offer. But what if you combine them? Kayak camping is a great way to camp in remote places that may not be accessible other than by boat. You can even use it as an excuse to extend your paddling trip. Of course, there are some packing tips to keep in mind. Learn about how to pack a kayak for camping with the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
The key to packing your kayak is keeping it as light as possible. Know the weight capacity of your kayak, and keep your own weight in mind. If you’ve ever gone backpack camping, think of packing your kayak in a similar way – only bring the essentials. It’s not like car camping. You’ll need to leave big coolers, lawn games, grills, Dutch ovens and other large camping gear at home.
Another part of packing a kayak for camping is using all the odd spaces to your advantage. Use smaller dry bags and zipper storage bags to store your supplies, instead of using bulky camping bags. Even if your kayak has waterproof hatches, you’ll still want to use dry bags for items that you don’t want to get wet, such as clothing, fire starting gear, sleeping bags, and first aid kits. Bags should have designated uses – one for clothes, one for food, etc. It’ll help you keep organized and quickly get to the gear you need. It’s a good idea to do a trial run of packing your kayak – this way you know what will and won’t fit. Remember that less is always best for kayak camping.
Above all else, make sure your kayak is packed for even weight distribution. To get the best (and safest) performance, your kayak needs to keep balanced in the water. Put heavy items at the bottom of the kayak and closer to the cockpit – away from the stern and bow. It’s also important to keep the weight balanced from left to right, and front to back. For example, pack food and water toward the middle, and keep lighter items like sleeping bags and clothes at the ends of the kayak.
As said above, packing a kayak for camping is similar to backpacking. Here’s a general list of gear you’ll want to bring, divided by dry bag. Of course, it can vary depending on where you’re going, and how long your trip will be.
| Kayak Supplies | First-Aid Bag | Clothing Bag | Sleep & Rest Bag | Electronics Bag | Food & Basecamp Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Paddle | Compass | Rain Shell and Pants | One Person Tent | Flashlight | Food and Snacks |
| PDF/ Life Jacket | Emergency Blanket | Synthetic Base Layer, Socks and Swim Gear | Sleeping Bag | Maps and Guides | Water Filter |
| Sunscreen, Sunglasses and Hat | First Aid Kit | Dry, Synthetic Layers for Sleeping | Sleeping Pad | Batteries | Utensils |
| Kayak and Paddle | Personal Hygiene Products | Socks and Underwear | Pillow | Any Other Electronics | Small Camp Stove |
Kayak camping gives you the freedom to explore a whole new area of your favorite river or lake. For more kayaking and camping tips, visit our Camping and Boats & Boating blogs.
