In this article, we will discuss how to pack for a canoe camping trip. We will share some best practices, tips and things to think about before setting off on your adventure!
Don’t forget anything
The worst feeling ever is stopping the car, taking off the canoe, unloading your gear and realizing that you forgot to bring any fuel for your Coleman stove!
Don't let this happen to you, make sure to make a list of all of the items that you need and check items off the list as you pack. You can't just run back if you forget anything out in the woods!
Test everything
Again there is nothing worst than getting out in the bush and realizing that your tent leaks. Make sure to go over EVERY piece of gear a day or two before your trip to make sure that everything is in working order.
Your priority should be anything that will make or break your trip, such as safety equipment.
Always have back-ups
If anything goes wrong or you in fact managed to forget something, it’s a great idea to have some redundancy. Pack extra batteries for your stat phone and GPS, keep these in a different bag. The same also goes for maps and survival equipment. If you packed a couple of lighters, also bring another kind of fire starting equipment like matches or even a flint and steel.
Pack light
This might go without saying, but there’s not going to be much room in your canoe or your bags during your trip. One advantage to canoe camping is that you can carry a little more than when if you were just backpacking. However you certainly will not have unlimited room so pack accordingly. This being said you can carry more in a canoe than on your back. Because of this, I like to include a couple of “luxury” items, such as a full-size camp stove instead of a pocket stove. Just because you can support more gear while on the water does not necessarily mean that you should bring everything and the kitchen sink. If the route you have chosen has portages, expect to carry everything you have on foot probably multiple times a trip. Save yourself the burden and pack lightly and deliberately from the start.
Focus on waterproofing
While packing up for your trip, make sure that all of your gear is adequately waterproofed. Canoeing comes with the inherent risk of getting wet even when the weather is good. The most essential items to waterproof are anything that will be used to keep you warm and dry, such as your sleeping back, clothes and even your tent. The best way to this is to put items in dry bags. Sealed barrels work best for food items. If you are tight on budget, heavy-duty garbage bags and duct tape can work although not always a foolproof alternative. Just make sure to bring extra in case any get damaged. As for food items, 5gal buckets from any home improvement store can be a very affordable solution.
Spread the load
Canoes can be prone to tipping. Use your gear to your advantage. Make sure that the weight is distributed evenly to avoid tipping, this will also make paddling easier. If you are paddling solo, loading gear in the front of the canoe will offset not having another person sitting in the front. Try to pick one gear orientation and stick with it throughout the trip. Putting gear in the same place throughout your journey will save time having to rebalance the canoe after any portages or landings. Having system for loading your canoe will also help you not forget anything during your trip.