How to Write a Canoe Trip Float Plan

Canoe trips get you out onto the water, exploring the shores and generally into the wilderness. When taking any wilderness trip, canoe or otherwise, it is a smart idea -- for safety -- to have a plan filed with the land management agency or a friend. Keeping a copy of the float plan with you also helps you stay on course, on schedule, and it helps prevent you from getting lost. There are no hard-and-fast rules for making a float plan, but there are certain pieces of information that should be included.

Things You'll Need

  • Maps
  • GPS coordinates for the trip
  • Paper and pen (or computer and printer)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gather the maps for the trip area and determine your camping areas and departure and take-out points. Write down the geographic coordinates for the locations, or at minimum, the names of the areas. Place this information into the float plan with headers called "Put-in, Take-out, Proposed Camping Areas."

    • 2

      Write down the dates and times proposed for each site. For example, if you plan to put in at "Bonzo Beach" on 3/3/12, write this down under "Put-in." For each campsite area, write down the estimated night of arrival. For your Take-out, write down the name and time you figure to be back.

    • 3

      Write down the name of every member of the party along with contact numbers and names. If any pets are on the trip, write this down, as well, with breed and name of the dog.

    • 4

      Include a list of all food and gear on the trip. Photo copy the map of the trip and mark the put-in, take-out and camping areas to coincide with the written plan.

    • 5

      File a copy of the plan with the land management agency for the trip location (i.e. Forest Service, National Park, BLM.) If no land management office is available, leave a copy with a friend or relative and give him the time you expect to be back out from the trip. Arrange a preset time for you to call, informing him of your safe arrival. Arrange a set time that if you should fail to respond, he will contact emergency personnel. For example, if you plan to be back at noon on 3/15/12, make a 24-hour grace-period before the person calls emergency.

    • 6

      Leave a copy of the trip plan in an envelope on the windshield of a trip member's car at the take-out and put-in. Mark the envelope "Trip-Plan" and leave in sight.