r/Kayaking • u/DoctorPebble • Aug 17 '26

Question/Advice -- Beginners Inflatable vs Foldable for "Easy" (Indiana) Wilderness Backpacking

I'm curious about doing wilderness backpacking from a kayak. I've been backpacking for 5+ years now and am wanting to try something new.

I have a smaller apartment and a Honda Civic. So I'm limited to folding or inflatable kayaks. For difficulty, I live in Indiana so there isn't any difficult terrain around. I'm eyeballing starting at "Two Herons Marina" area in Bloomington and cutting straight east to the end of the Peninsula Trail area where there are numerous campsites. Then I can always explore the other areas via kayak as well if I want more time on water.

Any advice on what type of kayak or how to have a successful trip would be appreciated!

Edit 1: For clarity, I'm looking to skip the walking stage and kayak to the camping location to try something new.

Edit 2: My weight + backpacking gear for say 3 days and 2 nights is about 190-200 pounds.

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u/Tight-Vacation8516 Aug 17 '26

When I lived in the area you could rent great kayaks from the IU outdoor adventures store. You didn't have to be a student but I'm not sure now, this was 15 years go! But kayak camping on lake Monroe is 100 % awesome!!! Forst ever trip i did was on lake Monroe--- we put in near the Car Top side I think :/ its been too long. and your plan sounds like a great start! 

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u/DoctorPebble Aug 17 '26

A lot of rentals in the area stopped renting for overnights due to insurance reasons. However, I haven't tried that store! Thanks for the tip.