If you think kayaking or canoeing is too difficult, think again. These spots around town make it easy, with many providing rentals on the spot to make your trip seamless and fun. Next time you want to paddle a river, consider these local options that won’t take you far from home.
- Willamette River
Eli Duke / Flickr Cutting through the heart of the city, the Willamette is the closest river for an adventure. With a couple outfitters on the river (Portland Kayak Company and Alder Creek Kayak, Canoe, Raft, and SUP) you can rent a kayak or canoe and be in the water in no time.
- Clackamas River
kator29 / Flickr In the heart of Mt. Hood territory about an hour south of Portland, the Clackamas River is a kayaking and canoeing gem. Class III and IV rapids make it fun for experienced kayakers and beginners alike. Blue Sky and eNRG Kayaking provide local rentals.
- Scappoose Bay
College Outdoors / Flickr Feeding into the Columbia River northwest of the city, this is a wildlife haven with the opportunity to spot bald eagles and great blue herons. Take a wetland tour with Scappoose Bay Kayaking for a 3-hour trip around the wetlands to experience this area to its fullest.
- Tualatin River
Marie / Flickr Tualatin River is a family-friendly place to try your hand at kayaking and canoeing. Head to Tigard’s Cook Park boat launch to get in and enjoy this prime spotting ground for osprey, hawks, and herons. The Tualatin Riverkeepers offers rentals, tours, and classes from July 3 through September.
- Columbia Slough
montananshelby / Flickr If you have your own canoe or kayak, the Columbia Slough is a calm location to put in. While annual events through the Columbia Slough Watershed Council provide rentals to support a group paddle, the rest of the year, you will need to come prepared with kayak or canoe.
Where is your favorite place to kayak or canoe around Portland?
Eli Duke / Flickr
Cutting through the heart of the city, the Willamette is the closest river for an adventure. With a couple outfitters on the river (Portland Kayak Company and Alder Creek Kayak, Canoe, Raft, and SUP) you can rent a kayak or canoe and be in the water in no time.
kator29 / Flickr
In the heart of Mt. Hood territory about an hour south of Portland, the Clackamas River is a kayaking and canoeing gem. Class III and IV rapids make it fun for experienced kayakers and beginners alike. Blue Sky and eNRG Kayaking provide local rentals.
College Outdoors / Flickr
Feeding into the Columbia River northwest of the city, this is a wildlife haven with the opportunity to spot bald eagles and great blue herons. Take a wetland tour with Scappoose Bay Kayaking for a 3-hour trip around the wetlands to experience this area to its fullest.
Marie / Flickr
Tualatin River is a family-friendly place to try your hand at kayaking and canoeing. Head to Tigard’s Cook Park boat launch to get in and enjoy this prime spotting ground for osprey, hawks, and herons. The Tualatin Riverkeepers offers rentals, tours, and classes from July 3 through September.
montananshelby / Flickr
If you have your own canoe or kayak, the Columbia Slough is a calm location to put in. While annual events through the Columbia Slough Watershed Council provide rentals to support a group paddle, the rest of the year, you will need to come prepared with kayak or canoe.
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