America’s Great Loop
America’s Great Loop is a long-distance inland and coastal cruising route that links the Great Lakes, inland rivers, the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and the Canadian/US inland systems into one continuous circuit. Most Loopers complete it over many months to roughly a year (or longer), typically traveling counterclockwise to align with weather windows and seasonal water levels. It is not a race route—it’s usually done in practical daily legs with weather days, maintenance stops, marina nights, and anchorage stretches. Planning matters: bridge clearances, draft limits, lock schedules, fuel range, insurance requirements, border/customs steps, and regional storm seasons can all shape timing and route choices.
Use the top navigation links to compare candidate boats and sketch a practical route plan.
Core association resource
Hidden Gem Anchorages
Community-submitted anchorages with map links. Submit your own hidden gems below.
Important verification notice
Please verify all boat data, routes, bridge clearances, lock details, and waypoints before use. Mistakes can happen and information can become outdated. Always use current official charts, Notices to Mariners, and up-to-date navigation sources. If you find broken, outdated, or incorrect links/data, please report them so we can fix them.