Backpacking has been mainman hobby for years, but it’s not always possible. Because I live in coastal Virginia, mountains are a multi-hour drive away, and though my wife is a badass, she has a hip injury that makes it difficult for her to hike.
But there is more than one way to sleep in the woods, and sometimes adventures awaits in your own backyard. We recently did an overnight kayak trip at a little-known-about campsite only half an hour from our house. I have a burgeoning interest kayak camping and it’s a great fit for our family. My wife, dog, and I can all fit, with gear, in our inflatable fishing kayak. We can get to remote locations, no hiking required.
I approach kayak camping with the mindset of a backpacker. Compact and lightweight, backpacking gear lends itself well to kayak camping. I basically just pack my typical backpacking load, with a few extra luxury items. Though space is limited on our tiny vessel, weight is less of a concern than when hiking, so a few heavy items (the bigger tent, a full-sized lantern, bacon for breakfast!) can be packed. Between my backpacking gear, car camping gear, and fishing gear, I already have all we need for overnight kayak trips. (Can it be? A hobby that doesn’t require purchasing more gear??)
We originally had a different kayak trip planned, but the morning of departure we learned that our destination was closed due to freezing temperatures overnight. The car was already packed and I was itching to get outside so I immediately started looking for other options. I had heard rumors of a place to camp in the nearby in the Great Dismal Swamp, where the canal meets Lake Drummond. A quick internet search didn’t bring up very much information, but I learned that the campsite, which is only accessible by boat, is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and is free of charge and open day or overnight use. No reservations required; just show up. With just one sketchy PDF pamphlet in hand, we decided to give it a shot.
After a serene paddle along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal, we arrived at the campsite, which was remarkably well-maintained for a place that felt to be in the middle of nowhere. I was a little relieved when we pulled up, as the limited information online made me a little suspicious that the place really existed.
Have you seen the movie Big Fish? Remember when the main character suddenly emerges from the spooky brambly forest into the perfectly manicured town of Spectre? That’s what arriving at Lake Drummond Reservation felt like.
We spent the afternoon and evening reading, exploring Lake Drummond, and relaxing by the fire.
I have to brag about our inflatable kayak for a second. We bought it used while living in a previous house where we didn’t have a garage or any outdoor storage. Something about an inflatable kayak sounds uber dorky, but truly, this thing is the best. It’s been all over the inshore waters of Hampton Roads. I’ve since upgraded to a peddle-drive kayak for fishing, but the inflatable is still our go-to for family trips. It tracks surprisingly well for an inflatable. The three of us with gear weigh around 400 pounds, comfortably under the boat’s carrying capacity of 635 pounds. The 12.5 foot kayak rolls up to about the size of a trash can and can easily fit in my Honda Fit. I maybe wouldn’t take it down the whitewater of the Arkansas River, but it’s perfectly suitable for fresh and inshore waters around here.
One of the best things about a mini-retirement is having the time to cultivate new interests. I’m excited about digging deeper into the paddling world and taking my kayak camping to the next level. I’m in the early stages of planning a paddle trip on the 99-mile Wilderness Waterway in Everglades National Park next winter – stay tuned!
Wow, what an incredible journey you’re going on! Thanks for sharing your blog. I look forward to following your travels and seeing what other kinds of outdoor hobbies you discover 🙂
Thanks so much!
I will enjoy following your trip. You are your dad’s child! Good photos of your kayak trip!
Thank you!