Kayaking Oregon's Waterways
In Oregon, if there’s a waterway, someone has kayaked it. And there are a lot of waterways, from white-water rivers to calm estuaries and bays to even calmer wetland areas that are great for wildlife viewing. Here are three kayak trips we’re excited about…
When participating in water activities, please be sure to practice extreme caution. For more information on water safety and certified guides, please visit the Oregon State Marine Board or call (503) 378-8587.
1.
Kayak Downtown Portland
Portland is just the kind of place where you can paddle a kayak along the Willamette River through downtown. Just head south along Tom McCall Waterfront Park (a nice walk from downtown hotels) to RiverPlace Marina, where you’ll find Portland River Company. They offer classes and guided trips, as well as rentals for more experienced kayakers.
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Find a kayaking guide in the Portland Metro area before you head out!
2.
Siltcoos River Trail
Travel Oregon’s very own Amy Nyberg hit the water with Oregon By Kayak guide Andy Small. Together, they took a paddle along the Siltcoos River Trail, which is just south of Florence on the Central Oregon coast. The River Trail begins at Siltcoos Lake (Oregon’s largest coastal lake) and winds 3 miles before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Along the route, kayakers are likely to spot such wildlife as sea lions, kingfishers, shorebirds and possibly even river otter.
Read Amy’s story on the Travel Oregon blog…
Find a kayaking guide along the Oregon Coast before you head out!
3.
Whitewater Kayaking on the Deschutes
If you’ve spent any time watching outdoor adventure shows, you’ve surely seen those adrenaline-seeking kayakers launch off the tops of waterfalls, and through seriously rough rapids. Well, we’re not quite that brave. Fortunately, there are whitewater kayak guides who are well equipped to teach the more leisurely (read: beginner) side of the sport.
Allstar Rafting & Kayak, based out of the Central Oregon town of Maupin, offers one to eight-day clinics to teach the art of maneuvering an inflatable kayak through small whitewater rapids. If you’re hooked, you can graduate to the sit-on-top kayaks, which offer a little more excitement and speed. Experienced instructors will teach you paddling, boat control, safety procedures, and even how to right an overturned craft.
Find a kayaking guide in the Central Oregon region before you head out!