Explore the USA's waterways

Whether travelling along the mighty Mississippi in a traditional sternwheel paddle steamer, lazily exploring hidden inland coves in a houseboat, shooting white-water rapids in a raft, paddling through mangroves in a kayak, sailing the Great Lakes or cruising historic canals, there’s so many ways to enjoy the USA’s watery wonders. The country is filled with rivers, countless lakes, canals and coastal waterways. 

Get your wetsuit on 

North Carolina’s U.S. National White Water Center, pictured right, is set across 1,300 acres on the Catawba River, near Charlotte. Visitors can don their wetsuits and enjoy paddle boarding, kayaking and rafting, as well as land-based activities including mountain biking and rock climbing, plus a series of festivals throughout the year. 

Rafting for all 

From gentle family excursions to white-water adventures, rafting the nation’s rivers suits all. Raft the Colorado River below the Grand Canyon rim, from half-day beginner trips to multi-day expeditions – even in an electric raft. Other rivers suiting both adrenalin junkies and young kids include Colorado’s Arkansas River, Idaho’s Salmon River and West Virginia’s Gauley River. 

Steam away 

Cruise the country’s greatest rivers on traditional paddle-wheelers. The American Queen Steamboat Company’s new 166-suite American Duchess, pictured left, operates trips including Mississippi River tributaries the Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois and Cumberland Rivers, besides Old Man River itself. 

Cruise New York’s canals 

Rent a cruiser to explore New York State’s canals. Spanning 524 miles, the system’s four canals – the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga-Seneca – form the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor linking the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. 

Sleep on a houseboat 

You can rent houseboats on around 40 lakes in the USA. The largest, Lake Mead, borders Arizona and Nevada. Other popular lakes include Tennessee’s Dale Hollow Lake, Lake Powell (Arizona/Utah), Lake Ouachita (Arkansas) and Shasta Lake (California). 

Kayak the Keys 

Take an eco-kayaking tour around Florida’s Lower Keys, pictured right, navigating the waters around the mangrove islands of the Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and National Key Deer Refuge. Nature tours on sit-on-top kayaks through sponge and grass flats and mangrove forests are led by Captain Bill Keogh of Big Pine Kayak Adventures. 

Dive right in

The Great Lakes have plenty to see below the waves. The cold and deep waters are suited to experienced divers who can discover many shipwrecks, including in Michigan’s Keweenaw Underwater Preserve, in Lake Superior, and Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron. 

Find other inspiring ideas for your next USA trip in our new USA travel guide. Download it for free here!