Water Recreation on America's Byways

From jet skis to kayaking, from water skiing to surfing, America's Byways® are full of exciting - and wet - adventures. You are certain to find any type of water recreation imaginable along America's Byways.

Marine Adventures

California provides more than just beautiful coastal drives: the Big Sur Coast Highway is home to some of the most vacationed beaches in the world. Surprisingly crisp temperatures and a rocky coastline are no impediment to this area's prominence as a surfing, SCUBA diving, and swimming destination. Experience it as the locals do! You'll have a blast surfing the enormous waves coming off the ocean, and diving and swimming in the secluded coves and inlets that dodge in and out of the mountainous coastline.

Find more aquatic recreation along Florida's A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway. Running along the Atlantic coast, this Byway will take you to ideal spots for fishing, boating, sailing, surfing, and swimming. The sun-baked sand, vast ocean, and beautiful blue skies are not all you can enjoy on the miles of beaches: near the town of Marineland, not only see but interact with dolphins and sea turtles.

Freshwater Fun

Byways don't have to be near the ocean to provide exciting aquatic adventures. Try Lake Tahoe Eastshore Drive for a different experience. Boat or water ski on the the glass-like surface of this mountain lake, or play tag on jet-skis and wave runners.

Minnesota's North Shore Scenic Drive along Lake Superior also offers you wonderful recreation opportunities. Try canoeing or kayaking, popular pastimes for visitors and locals, or wade in the myriad of rivers, streams and lakes which flow into this bracing northern lake. The geology of the Columbia River Gorge has made Hood River on Oregon's Historic Columbia River Highway a world-renowned windsurfing location. The colorful sails and amazing antics of the surfers can be seen on the river year-round.

For exhilarating whitewater adventure, take a trip to West Cascades Scenic Byway in Oregon, which has that and more. Test your limits by rafting, kayaking, or canoeing the whitewater of the McKenzie River or the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River while traveling down the byway. Tours and guided trips are available for the novice rafter, but the water can be intense enough to thrill an expert.

Water recreation along America's Byways provides something for anyone. Whether your idea of recreation is surfing the intense ocean waves or canoeing across a calm, scenic lake, you are sure to be pleased with the many opportunities you will find.