Canoeing · California
Canoeing in California
1 outfitter across California. Ratings, hours, contact details and a map for each, all in one place.
Named lakes and reservoirs
4,320
Rated 4.5+ on Google
1 of 1
Best season
Year-round
Operators
Canoeing operators
Loads the full map of every listing on this page. We leave it off by default so the page opens fast on mobile data.
Lakes
Lakes to canoe in California
- Named lakes in California
- 2,964
- Reservoirs
- 1,356
Largest by area
- Lake Tahoe122,975 acres
- Stampede Reservoir3,230 acres
- Union Valley Reservoir2,735 acres
- French Meadows Reservoir1,420 acres
- Fallen Leaf Lake1,409 acres
Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System.
Resources
More to explore in Canoeing
Hand-picked videos and free guides from the community to help you plan your next trip.
Videos worth watching
Hand-picked clips, sorted by what you do.
How to Canoe | 3 Key Strokes All Paddlers Should Know
PaddleTV
Learning To Paddle: Episode 1 Basic Canoe Paddle Strokes
Old Town
How to Develop Good Technique for Paddling a Canoe
PaddleTV
Golden Rules of Canoeing | How to Stay Safe on the Water
PaddleTV
How to Paddle a Canoe
Texas Parks and Wildlife
Canoe Paddle Strokes with Northern Tier
Northern Tier High Adventure
Guides worth reading
Trip briefs, prep checklists, and how-tos. Free to read.
Canoe Camping Trip Planning: A 5-Step Guide to Multi-Day River Trips
Jul 2026
How to Paddle Moving Water: Ferry, Eddy Turn & Peel Out Safely
Jul 2026
Whitewater Kayaking for Beginners: Class II-III Guide
Jul 2026
Best SUP Paddleboarding Spots: Lakes, Rivers & Coastal Destinations
Jul 2026
Free tools
