Great places for paddling in the city
Potomac River is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

1. Potomac River

Washington, D.C.
River · Southwest Washington · 24 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: If you think Congress takes the nation on a wild ride, paddlers find a whitewater run near Great Falls just as unpredictable. For a calmer ride, paddle along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. Read more.

Mississippi River is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

2. Mississippi River

Newport, MN
Other Great Outdoors · 5 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: A Minneapolis trip can include urban sightseeing and a chance to float through a barge lock, dropping (or climbing) 50 feet in just a few minutes. Read more.

3. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

9.1
1978 Island Ford Pkwy (Roberts Dr.), Atlanta, GA
Hiking Trail · 25 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: This urban river passes through the biggest city in the South, but a paddler would never know it. The area is maintained in a natural state by the National Park Service with several points of access. Read more.

Golden Gate National Recreational Area is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

4. Golden Gate National Recreational Area

8.8
San Francisco, CA
National Park · 18 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: One company, Sea Trek, runs a kayak trip that starts in the shadows of the Golden Gate and crosses under the bridge on the way to the Marin Headlands. Read more.

The Boise River is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

5. The Boise River

Boise River Greenbelt, Boise, ID
River · Downtown Boise City · 3 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: You can float or paddle through this scenic state capital. A greenway park offers a 6-mile run, complete with rest stops along the way. Read more.

Lady Bird Lake is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

6. Lady Bird Lake

9.3
Lady Bird Lake Trail (West Riverside Drive), Austin, TX
Lake · Downtown Austin · 59 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: Go for a summer and early fall bat paddle, when hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at dusk from the world's largest urban bat colony under the Congress Avenue bridge. Read more.

Truckee River is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

7. Truckee River

Truckee River Ln (btwn W 1st & Island Ave), Reno, NV
River · 13 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: Reno has developed a half-mile whitewater course and downtown riverfront park that's walking distance from its casinos. Read more.

James River is one of Great places for paddling in the city.

8. James River

James River, Richmond, VA
River · 16 tips and reviews

USA TODAYUSA TODAY: Virginia's capital offers rafters a thrill on whitewater routes as challenging as Class IV. Canoers and kayakers can also find calm stretches to take in the scenery. Read more.