Weather, access and trip planning
Plan your next paddle
Compare weather, check available river readings, and find local launch guidance. A weather score cannot tell you whether water is safe to paddle.
Featured destinations
9 spots
- 100Favorable weather
Chattahoochee River — Powers Island
Atlanta, GA · River · intermediate
The 'Hooch is Atlanta's backyard river: cold, clear dam releases, mild shoals, and a green corridor through the metro. Check Morgan Falls Dam releases, local flow guidance and water-quality alerts before driving.
- Wind
- 6 mph
- Air
- 75°F
- 99Favorable weather
Weeki Wachee River
Spring Hill, FL · River · beginner
A spring-fed lazy river with year-round 74°F crystal water, manatees in winter, and white sand bottoms. One of Florida's most photogenic paddles.
- Wind
- 7 mph
- Air
- 81°F
- 93Favorable weather
Bde Maka Ska
Minneapolis, MN · Lake · beginner
Minneapolis's biggest lake and the heart of the Chain of Lakes. Calm urban flatwater with skyline views, rentals on site, and connections to Lake of the Isles through the channels.
- Wind
- 9 mph
- Air
- 72°F
- 93Favorable weather
Mississippi River — Hidden Falls
St. Paul, MN · River · intermediate
A surprisingly wild stretch of the Mississippi below the Ford Dam, with wooded bluffs, sandbars, and eagles. Current is real — plan a shuttle or paddle upstream first.
- Wind
- 9 mph
- Air
- 72°F
- 92Favorable weather
La Jolla Cove
San Diego, CA · Coastal · intermediate
Sea caves, sea lions, and the leopard sharks of La Jolla Shores. One of the best ocean kayaking day trips in the country when the swell cooperates.
- Wind
- 10 mph
- Air
- 76°F
- 89Favorable weather
Lady Bird Lake
Austin, TX · Lake · beginner
Austin's downtown reservoir on the Colorado River — no motorboats allowed, so it's paddler heaven. Sunset bat-watching under the Congress Avenue Bridge is a rite of passage.
- Wind
- 6 mph
- Air
- 97°F
- 86Favorable weather
Richardson Bay
Sausalito, CA · Coastal · intermediate
Protected San Francisco Bay paddling with houseboat culture, harbor seals, and Golden Gate views. Sheltered compared to the open bay, but afternoon westerlies are dependable and strong.
- Wind
- 12 mph
- Air
- 78°F
- 66Mixed weather
Lake Union
Seattle, WA · Lake · beginner
Houseboats, seaplanes, and Gas Works Park — Seattle's urban lake is endlessly entertaining flatwater. Stay alert in the seaplane landing lane mid-lake.
- Wind
- 9 mph
- Air
- 55°F
- 45Poor weather
Charles River Esplanade
Boston, MA · River · beginner
The classic Boston paddle: flatwater basin between the Esplanade and MIT with the full skyline in view. Protected from ocean swell, but the basin funnels wind on gusty days.
- Wind
- 16 mph
- Air
- 63°F
Browse by state
9,413 locations and gauges
- Alaska114
- Alabama175
- Arkansas134
- Arizona194
- California515
- Colorado361
- Connecticut73
- District of Columbia7
- Delaware25
- Florida420
- Georgia310
- Hawaii93
- Iowa147
- Idaho224
- Illinois206
- Indiana198
- Kansas190
- Kentucky170
- Louisiana104
- Massachusetts122
- Maryland140
- Maine65
- Michigan221
- Minnesota118
- Missouri233
- Mississippi136
- Montana234
- North Carolina250
- North Dakota126
- Nebraska119
- New Hampshire55
- New Jersey135
- New Mexico170
- Nevada153
- New York304
- Ohio262
- Oklahoma155
- Oregon269
- Pennsylvania314
- Rhode Island38
- South Carolina150
- South Dakota122
- Tennessee119
- Texas613
- Utah175
- Virginia199
- Vermont53
- Washington278
- Wisconsin199
- West Virginia115
- Wyoming111
What the weather score tells you
The number compares wind, gusts, air temperature and rain only. We hide it when current weather or a linked river gauge is missing or stale. Imported gauge pages are monitoring locations, not verified launches. Local closures, access, currents and water temperature always need a separate check.