Loch Katrine lies within Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park in Scotland and serves as a public water supply. Following the Land Reform Act of 2005, a byelaw that previously restricted paddling on the loch was dissolved, meaning statutory rights of access now extend to canoeing and kayaking on the water.

The two primary access and egress points are Trossachs Pier at the south-east end of the loch and Stronachlachar near the north-west end. Both locations have pier facilities, and the Stronachlachar end is also noted as a good access point by the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Paddlers should be aware that launching from Trossachs Pier is subject to timing restrictions related to steamship operations — specifically, launching is permitted only after certain hours.

Several significant hazards exist on the loch. The Steamship Sir Walter Scott operates regular passenger cruises and is both quiet and not very manoeuvrable, making it difficult to hear approaching. When the steamship arrives at Trossachs Pier, it turns around before mooring, generating considerable turbulence. Paddlers in the vicinity should move well clear, using a cove to the left of the pier (facing out) or waiting near the café. The loch also narrows approximately one kilometre from Trossachs Pier, where the steamship can appear suddenly; paddlers are advised to keep close to the right-hand shore relative to their direction of travel and avoid the centre of the channel. Additional hazards include a water intake, a weir, and sluices.

The loch is also used by the smaller charter vessel Osprey and two other boats, Lady of the Lake and Rob Roy III. A mostly traffic-free tarmac road runs along the lochside for approximately 14 miles between Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar, which gives some indication of the loch's length. The surrounding landscape is scenic, with lochside woodland and hills visible from the water.

Paddlers should follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and take precautions against the spread of invasive non-native species by thoroughly cleaning equipment before and after use. Facilities at both Trossachs Pier and Stronachlachar include toilets, café access, and overnight motorhome parking with electricity and water hookups.