Tips and tricks to having a successful river camping trip!
Being on the water is a reset to a rather hectic life. Floating the river is a constant in relaxation. The reflection of silver maple trees in the smooth water, the smell of a fresh warm breeze and stunning skylines… watching an eagle soar down around the river bend with the sun showing off a bright white head and tail. Get your feet wet, fish a little, bring your friends and family, and make MEMORIES.
One of our most favorite things to do is float with our little plastic boats and camp on a river island! We literally live on the river in Pennsylvania, and take regular river float camping trips with many of our friends and family all year long. Fun fact; our love for being on the river and our plastic boats is how the “Little Plastic Boat Yacht Club” came to be!
Like I said, we do ALOT of floating and boating on the Susquehanna River. The floats are absolutely gorgeous no matter the month you are floating. Prime time is in the autumn when the hardwood forests have started to turn into a vibrant color collection of changing leaves! But you can not beat enjoying summers on the river ! The most recent river camping expedition was with one of my very best friends, Prois pro staffer Ashleigh Read, and our river adventuring family, Dave + kids!
Planning Process
Length of water trip? And Where to camp?
So much excitement in the air the days before the float! As a group we discuss how long we want to float for? This trip we knew we wanted to do a camping weekend float on the river.
How many hours to float the first day? and the second? Usually we try to get a solid couple hour (afternoon) float the first day, and get to our campsite before dark to set up!
The second is an all day event including packing up campsite and boats, floating, and the take out at the boat launch. Typically floating 5-7 miles of river takes ~ 5-6 hours (depending on multiple stops/breaks, wind, and the actual water flow speeds). We normally average an hour or less per river mile.
For example, our river camping trip itinerary:
Day 1
11am – Load vessels and gear onto trailer and head to boat launch
12am – Unload vessels and gear, organize gear into individual boats
1pm – 6pm – FLOAT ON THE ADVENTURE; including breaks for places along the river to explore! Approximately 7 river miles within a 5-6 hour period.
6pm – Arrival at campsite and set up! There’s a lot that goes into unpacking the boats after arriving at the site and setting up before dark.
Day 2
9am – COFFEE and check the boats
10am- Pack up campsite and load boats
NOON – 7pm – BON VOYAGE! Time to keep floating on…exploring AND and FISHING. Roughly 11 river miles !!
7pm – ARRIVAL at the boat launch! Unpack gear from boats, load onto trailer, re-pack the trailer/boats with gear to capitalize on space! Head home!
Where to Camp on a River ?
! TIP ! There are many different islands that are PUBLIC within our river and free to camp. I’m sure there might be some on the water you are floating as well, but mostly campsites along shorelines will be the best bet. Be sure not to TRESPASS on islands or shorelines that are privately owned! This could really throw a wrench in the plans.
Watch the weather closely before the float and choose a campsite least likely to be under water if the river starts to rise.
Be sure to have a back up campsite, if the “rapids” are too strong or the campsite is tricky to get to make sure the “lead navigator” gives a heads up to the float party of how to approach the site. The potential is ALWAYS there for someone to already be at the campsite you want. Which is a complete bummer and happened on this very trip, but try to account for it in your plans!
There are a lot of different combinations of boat launches and floating times that we do. Our local river system is a great area, the boat launches are spaced opportunistically; distances ranging from hours, to all day trips, or longer floats for several days. We are truly lucky to be able to launch or take out right at our river property, but depending on the decided float times we typically go from launch to launch. A great resource to have is the map of what waterbody you are floating!
River maps are ESSENTIAL to floating any river. Maps supply pinpoints for all boat launches, public campsites, islands on the river, and unique characteristics of different areas of the water. Also, physically looking at a map makes the planning process so much easier to calculate distance. Available through purchase: North Branch Susquehanna River map!
Which Boat to Float the River?
THE RIVER FLEET
A river float trip officially starts when loading boats. BUT what kind of vessel do you need?
For us, the little plastic boats are the most fun and best way to enjoy the river! Equipped with 40-50lb Minnkota trolling motors and batteries, these little plastic boats can haul basically everything needed for a camping trip! Little plastic boats are great to fish from and no worries about bottoming out in super shallow water! Just pick up the trolling motor ! We also have kayaks and canoes, so the selection becomes tailored to the activity you are doing.
With a small 5×10 trailer and a pickup truck we can haul 4 boats and several kayaks with ease. Mr. Tuttle made it even easier to load the trailer and capitalized on space management by building a custom, homemade boat rack. This enables the need for only 1 vehicle and trailer instead of having to use 2 vehicles. Also helps in the shuttling process back and forth from launches. When we get to the boat launch the day of the float, we remove all gear and all boats, and then personalize the RELOAD of each boat for whoever is going to motor it.
First things first though! The vessel being used must have proper documentation and comply with all the applicable state fish and game rules! Check your states regulations via their website or talk to a local waterways officer.
- Registration
- Registration sticker
- Identification number stickers
- Life Jackets
- Air Horn/Whistle
This trip consisted of:
4 boats (each equipped with trolling motors and batteries) :
- BassTender
- Coleman Crawdad
- BassHound
- American 12
and two kayaks, both Old Town Vapors!
The kayaks are great for the kids that do not want to motor the boats. When and “if” the kids get worn out or need a break from paddling then they can simply hook onto one of the plastic boats and be hauled for awhile!
Gear Guide to River Floating
For a bigger group camping trip on the water, more creature comforts are needed.
My boat, the BassTender, is packed with:
- Personal backpack
- Large fishing bag – I personally own this Spider Fishing Bag and it holds all the possible lures and equipment needed !
- 20L dry bag – clothing, towels
- 60L dry bag – bedding (pillows, sheets, blankets)
- RCTIC backpack cooler – water and beverages
- Oh! and collapsible canopy tent on top of all that.
- Waterproof Dog bed
- 2 crazy river dogs
- Rod holders in my boat to keep all 3-4 fishing rods upright and out of the way.
- Seat
- Trolling Motor
- Air Horn
- Life Jacket
- Boat paperwork in waterproof box
Mr. T’s boat, the Coleman Crawdad, is packed with:
- Large cooler for the beverages and food
- Dog bed
- Fishing bag
- Folding table
- Large rubbermaid tote + lid that is filled with the essential river camping gear:
- Mainly the tote holds our 2 person sleeping bag, tent, air mattress, rope, and much more.
- Trolling Motor
- Air Horn
- Life Jacket
- Boat paperwork in waterproof box
For a full list of everything we take on a river camping float be sure to check out the Ultimate Camping Gear Checklist.
Get a printable version FREE when you BECOME A MEMBER of the Little Plastic Boat Yacht Club!
Tips for setting up a river campsite:
This particular trip it rained (of course) while we were setting up our campsite! Bringing a portable adjustable pop up canopy tent was key to protecting us from the rain. Conveniently placed in the middle of all 4 tents, It was a good place to hang up towels, prepare food on the table, lay dog beds, and put chairs to sit !
- SET UP TENTS FIRST (after you build a fire)//
- Flat even ground ! Try and find the flattest ground possible with less or no weeds. If you have weeds, like we did on the island, grab that machete and clear a spot out ! Make sure to cut weeds as close to the ground as possible, because you do not want to puncture your tent! Lay a tarp, and set up your tent + rain fly.
- Put up canopy tent, set up tables, collapsible camp chairs around the fire, garbage bag, dog water… and start cooking some brats!
- Bring long rope to tie off boats and lanterns//
- You don’t want to wake up and walk down to the waters edge to see that the river rose and swept your boat afloat !! We also use a rope to throw over a large branch for a propane lantern to light above the campsite. This really lights up the whole area and is perfect for tasks around the campsite.
- You can also put a portable battery light in the top inside of the canopy tent for extra light.
- Headlamps//
- NIGHTS on the river even with the lantern on and the fire going, shadows are extra annoying when trying to find your batteries in the bottom of your bag!
- Do NOT forget the TABLE//
- Genius idea by Mr. Tuttle. In one of the boats there is a small folding table that is really light and portable. This is the most used item that we take and creates so much ease while preparing s’mores, Bluetooth speaker, flashlights, basically …everything. We also used the rubbermaid tote lid for another dinner table, two uses for one tote.
- BUG SPRAY//
- Being close to the water means there are wayyy more biting bugs and TICKS. Lemongrass Spa has a great natural bug repellant spray and paste (THAT ACTUALLY WORKS). Also its easy to carry a couple OFF! Wipes to have in all the bags for quick access.
We catfished the night away, played YAHTZEE (YES, add that to your list of must haves), and sat around enjoying the company of family and friends around a very cozy hot smokey fire. Laughing, more like cackling, could be heard up and down the river from our game of “What The Meme” we played under the lantern light.
S’mores are a big deal around here and instead of individual smores, we came to the find and try this S’mores recipe, by putting all the ingredients in a tin over the fire! YUM. Disclaimer: Pretty sure I left the tin on the fire too long and burned half of it, but it was fine and everyone ENJOYED IT.
Campsite Tear Down
The morning after a late night filled with catfishin’, yahtzee, and s’mores calls for some fresh camp coffee! With the coals left over from the fire, another fire is reborn. If the wood is saturated from rain, the mini propane torch really helps light a fire fast. I usually bring some cinnamon buns to cook on the fire, this trip I did not and the kids were pretty bummed. I made up for it with go-gurts and other space saving foods!
Its always a slow start on these mornings, zippers on the tents are heard opening and people emerging out to grab some hot fresh coffee. Dogs are running around playing and barking, and under foot until they get their breakfast. After awhile the sounds of the air mattress’s deflating reminds us that we need to get a move on packing our things! Tent stakes removed from the soft river soil, rain fly’s unhooked and packed up, clothes repacked in dry bags, and repacking of the boats is in full swing. As we pack our bags and load totes, we take the opportunity to reorganize the boats while they are semi empty.
Last day of the float trip always has a different feel. We usually like to plan the second day for a longer float to enjoy every last bit of sunlight and good time on the river. I feel we take more breaks on the second day (more areas to explore) and have the rest of our snacks and lunch.
- ” LEAVE NO TRACE “– Collect ALL your trash and pack it out!
- Always do one last check around the campsite !!!
- Make sure the puppies are in the boats and the kids have all their belongings before the BON VOYAGE of your campsite!
Enjoying the River Float
Check the river map for different areas to explore on the trip downstream! Enjoy miles of fishing, laughing, and stopping at cool features along the river. The train bridge, ledge rocks, and islands are our favorites!
Stopping for lunch / mid afternoon snacks by an island beach is a great way to enjoy sunshine and friends. The train bridge is one of our main stops to explore and upstream walk of a tributary stream!
Check out our fishing adventures “FISH TALES”
Take Out Point
The sun is setting and dogs are napping on their beds upon arrival at the boat launch. Now it is time to UNLOAD boats to LOAD THE TRAILER. Obviously ending our floats at our river property is the best way and most relaxing to get back to, no rush to unpack and shuttle vehicles! When that is not an option, unloading all the gear from the boats is the first step to loading them in on the trailer. Once loaded and stacked within each other, then the gear is organized in the truck and boats. Farewell to the river for now!
Once home, the trailer is unloaded and unpacking begins! If you tend to adventure on water then you must have a place for all your STUFF!
- Batteries go back in their space with their trickle charger.
- Paddles and kayaks get washed out and put on the rack.
- Tents are taken out and set up to air dry and be wiped down from the river mud. Opening gear and resetting up tents is a good practice to start. Especially if you had rain during your trip, it is a good idea to wipe off all mud and dry out all equipment.
River trips are awesome and taking alittle extra stuff goes a long way for being comfortable. We have the room because of the little boats and the number of people that go with us. If just using kayaks or canoes, we usually cut our checklist down in size to accommodate all the ESSENTIAL gear.
WHAT A JOURNEY!
Hope to catch you floatin’ along with us on more river trips!
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