Instagram story viewer> @_kayak_amanda_> Posts

Amanda

@_kayak_amanda_

1K

followers

3583

following

🏠 Northeast Ohio
❤️ Kayak & Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP)
🌳 Mainly outdoor fun within 5 hrs of NE Ohio
📸 Swipeable posts, explore at your own pace

POSTS STORIES REELS

Random thoughts and insights from my 52 paddle sessions in 2026 (by far the most I’ve ever done between May - October) #supohio #kayakohio #paddleboarding #kayaking by @_kayak_amanda_

I didn’t think I’d get another paddle in at my favorite local spot, Nimisila Reservoir, but this stretch of beautiful late October weather gave me one last sunset paddle to reflect on the 2026 paddling season.

The setting sun cast a warm glow over the fall colors, while the cooling air and fading vegetation reminded me that paddling season is nearly over.

I’ve come to appreciate how the changing seasons motivates us to “seize your moment” (to borrow a line from Disney’s Coco). Knowing that warm, sunny days eventually give way to winter inspires me to make the most of every opportunity to get on the water.

I’m incredibly thankful for all my paddling adventures this year.

Trip: 1.83 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#summitmetroparks #nimisila #nimisilareservoir #supohio #paddleohio by @_kayak_amanda_

My friend and I found some time to soak up the beautiful fall weather at Mogadore Reservoir. We launched from the Ticknor Road Boat Ramp for the first time, which gave us a chance to explore a different part of the reservoir. The water was calm, the fall colors were popping, and it was a perfect day to be out paddling!

Trip: 2.66 miles

Life Jacket: NRS cVest Mesh Back PFD

#mogadore #mogadorereservoir #mogadoreohio #kayakohio #paddleohio by @_kayak_amanda_

Berlin Lake typically has a lot of fast-moving boat traffic (there’s no horsepower limit), but once the water level is lowered, it becomes a great spot for kayaking. I had the lake all to myself as I paddled among the beautiful autumn colors. I’ve also never seen so many jumping fish (Slides 14 and 16)! 🐟

I had two incredible close encounters with bald eagles! 🦅 First, I watched a juvenile and an adult fishing just ahead of me. Then, near the end of my paddle, an adult bald eagle flew directly over me, maybe 15–20 feet above my head! It was so close I could see its face, and we actually looked at each other! It happened so quickly that I didn’t get a photo, but I was happy to just take in the moment.

Getting good action shots of flying birds while paddling is challenging, but check out Slide 11 for a glimpse of the two eagles fishing ahead of me and Slide 18 for a zoomed-in shot of the eagle that flew over me before landing in a tree across from the boat ramp. I maxed out my camera’s zoom and got as close as I could! 🦅

Trip: 6.47 miles

Life Jacket: NRS cVest Mesh Back PFD

#paddleohio #kayakohio #odnr #berlinlake #berlinlakeohio by @_kayak_amanda_

This was my second time paddling Beaver Lake in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky and both times I’ve met the nicest people. I knew this time I wanted to paddle the entire main channel and skipped exploring the side channels.

It was a beautiful day paddling among the fall colors, and nothing says Kentucky quite like paddling past a horse! (Slide 17)🐴🍁

Trip: 4.05 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddlekentucky #supkentucky #lawrenceburgkentucky #beaverlakeky #beaverlakekentucky by @_kayak_amanda_

Taylorsville Lake is a 3,050-acre reservoir located primarily in Spencer County, Kentucky, and is the centerpiece of Taylorsville Lake State Park. I launched from the Possum Ridge Boat Ramp, which had plenty of parking and a porta-potty.

Even though I barely scratched the surface of this massive lake, I really enjoyed the scenic views, jumping fish, and sunlight reflecting off the water.

Trip: 3.21 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddlekentucky #supkentucky #kystateparks #taylorsvillelake #taylorsvillelakestatepark by @_kayak_amanda_

Hinckley Lake is an ideal meetup spot for anyone with family or friends in both the greater Cleveland area (most of my family) and the greater Akron area (me). My brother and I enjoyed exploring the East Branch of the Rocky River, which flows into the lake, with the highlight being the large beaver dam at the end.

It’s been a great paddling season with my brother, made even better by having our dad and his girlfriend join us to walk the trails around the lakes while we paddle.

Trip: 2.83 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around our waists

#paddleohio #supohio #clevelandmetroparks #hinckleylake #hinckleyohio by @_kayak_amanda_

Mt. Gilead State Park is located between Columbus and Mansfield, Ohio. Its 13.5-acre lake is the smallest of ODNR’s “Paddle Ohio” qualifying lakes that I’ve paddled so far.

The lake is surrounded by walking paths and offers kayak rentals, a kayak launch, a boat ramp (which I used), and plenty of fishing spots. Restrooms are available along the road leading down to the lake, but not directly at the water.

Given its smaller size, this lake is an ideal spot for beginners or anyone looking to teach someone new paddling skills.

And the fall colors were really popping! 🍁🍂

Trip: 2.09 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddleohio #supohio #ohiostateparks #ohiodnr
#mtgileadstatepark by @_kayak_amanda_

Silver Creek Metro Park is part of the Summit County Metroparks and has 50-acre lake that is fed by a spring from an old mine near Wall Road.

I used the boathouse parking area which has plenty of parking, restrooms, several docks, and a dirt launch area for kayaks.

One lap around the lake is over 1 mile and it was nice seeing people hike the trails around the lake.

Trip: 2.12 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddleohio #supohio #summitmetroparks #silvercreekmetropark #nortonohio by @_kayak_amanda_

Walborn Reservoir is part of the Stark Parks system, and the marina has a nice boat ramp, beach, kayak rentals, restrooms, a concession stand that’s open mainly during the summer, and plenty of nearby parking.

It was very windy when my friend and I arrived, so we found a wind protected part of the reservoir to hang out in. It was a great spot to relax, float, and catch up on the water.

We finished our paddle with a workout, heading straight into the wind before turning around and letting it push us all the way back to the marina.

Trip: 1.87 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddleohio #supohio #walbornreservoir #dalewalbornreservoir #starkparks by @_kayak_amanda_

Brunswick Lake is the smallest body of water I’ve paddled at just 13.2 acres, but I was impressed by how much wildlife my brother and I saw. Tucked into a highly developed area of Brunswick, the lake is home to plenty of wildlife. We saw several turtles, blue herons, and even a muskrat (slide 15).

Brunswick Lake is part of the Medina County Parks system. There are designated parking spaces at the back of the Cleveland Clinic parking lot off Parschen Road, and it’s a short walk from the parking area to the kayak launch. There are no park restrooms, but there are several restuarants within walking distance.

Trip: 1.71 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddleohio #supohio #brunswicklake #brunswickohio #medinacountyparks by @_kayak_amanda_

Cowan Lake State Park’s 700-acre lake allows boats with motors up to 10 horsepower and is also a popular sailing destination. It was a bit windy when I arrived, so I got a day pass at the campground and started my paddle in a more wind-protected cove. The campground boat ramp also has a kayak launch, kayak rentals, restrooms, and a beach.

I saw several sailing vessels while I was out and especially enjoyed paddling through the huge fields of lily pads.

Cowan Lake State Park is also 1 of 9 Ohio State Park lakes that qualifies for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Paddle Ohio program, where you can earn pins for paddling different waterways across Ohio.

Trip: 3.00 miles

Life Jacket: USCG Approved SUP Life Vest Belt by BOTE around my waist

#paddleohio #supohio #cowanlakestatepark #ohiostateparks #ohiodnr by @_kayak_amanda_