What to pack for a whitewater canoe trip
There's a lot of gear to think about when packing for a canoe trip. We hope this list of personal items helps with the stress of remembering it all. We'll keep adding to this as we think of stuff. Note that this is a list for the average paddler going on a whitewater canoe trip, not for trip leaders or rescue specialists. There are also a lot of shared items that are needed on a trip that you'll need to talk to your group about.
Gear you'll need with you in the canoe
On a canoe trip, you'll naturally bring everything with you in your canoe, but there is some gear that you'll directly use, wear or need access to while you're in the boat.
Required
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
Also incorrectly known as a ‘life jacket’.
Whistle on your PFD
Needs to be the kind that doesn't have a pea inside. Those don't work when wet.
River knife on your PFD
Ideally, a knife that's designed as a river knife and not just a pocket knife. It should be attached to the outside of your PFD.
Whitewater paddle
Each canoe should also have one backup paddle.
Whitewater helmet
Learn all about how to pick a whitewater helmet here.
20L dry bag that is accessible on the river
This is for all the things you need quick access to on the water, like your raincoat, sunglasses, snacks, etc. We call this a "boat bag."
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
These are even more important on the water since you're not only dealing with the sun but the reflection of the sun on the water.
Hat
Something that adequately keeps the sun off your face and neck is ideal.
Non-cotton paddling clothes
It's seasonally dependent, but generally, try to avoid cotton while paddling. It's slow to dry and makes you cold when it's wet.
Toe-protected shoes
In whitewater, you'll need some kind of shoes that are good for walking in water. Covered toes are safer. Avoid sandals or crocs that can be washed right off your feet in a strong rapid.
Raincoat or poncho
It can get pretty cold when you're wet in the rain, even in the summer. A rain poncho is an easy solution if you don't have a rain jacket that can compress.
1L Water bottle with a loop
Nalgene bottles are the most common for this role. You really need a loop on it so you can carabiner it to the boat when running rapids. It's a good idea to bring a couple of these.
A locking carabiner for your water bottle
The regular gate kind can act like a hook and get stuck on things if you're fumbling around a capsized canoe.
First Aid Kit
You need a decent one for the whole group and perhaps a small Ziplock of Band-Aids and any pain meds you might need, like Aspirin. You can put this in your boat bag so it's easier to access than opening up the full First Aid Kit.
Rescue throw bag
Everyone should have at least one of these in their boat. One for each paddler is ideal.
Optional
Paddling gloves
There are a variety of types from waterproof gloves to neoprene gloves. We don't recommend any gloves not really meant for use with water.
Neoprene socks
Head bug net
Bear spray
This is for bears.
Fog horn
This is also for bears.
Bear bangers
Also for bears, but handy for waking up sleeping companions.
Gear you'll need at the campsite
Required
Headlamp
Don't even bother with a flashlight you have to hold with your hand. You'll be so busy that losing a hand to hold a light will be too annoying. Check your batteries before you go.
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
These are either closed-cell foam or inflatable. You don't have to go as ultralight on a canoe trip, so the variety of Therm-a-rest style are great. Newer thick inflatables are amazing now, but don't cheap out on these. They need to be strong and easily patchable.
Pillow
Having a decent camp pillow is such a luxury. There are a variety of compressible ones.
Tent
Or a spot in one.
Clothes
What you wear around the campsite is less critical as long as you have changes of clothes if you do get soaked. Make sure you bring clothes for the season you're paddling in and don't skip out on some warm clothes even in summer.
Camp shoes
It's nice to have a second pair of dry comfortable shoes to wear around the campsite.
Warm socks
In order seasons, warm dry socks will restore your soul. Wool is ideal since it will dry faster and will still insulate your feet when wet.
Camp chair
When we were younger this would have been in the optional list. Now it is definitely a requirement. Light campchairs have come a long way and are totally worth it.
Extra batteries or a battery charger
For whatever you bring that uses batteries.
A decent camp knife
A few small ropes
Optional
Rain pants
If you find yourself in prolonged cold rain, these can be helpful.
Musical instruments
Hammock
Bug spray
To some, this should be in the Required category, but I'll leave that to you.
Collapsible saw
What to put it all in
All camp gear can go in a 115L dry SealLine-style dry bag. It's not fun to re-seal one of these in a canoe on the water, so only put in gear that you won't need in the boat. Everything that you will or may need access to should be in your 20L boat bag. On longer trips where effort has been done to keep the weight down and pack lighter, the gear of two people can easily fit into one 115L dry bag.