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River Activities This Summer |
In Mt. Hood Territory, when the sun comes out, everyone heads to the water. There are numerous water sport activities to do, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and whitewater rafting. You can also hike around the water, fish in it, take your boat out or just dip your toes in the water and then have a picnic at a park. Our rivers and lakes are ideal for all of these choices and whether you are using your own equipment or renting from one of our guides and outfitters, you can't go wrong.
If you like kayaking we have several locations ideal for a casual excursion, complete with picturesque scenery.
Get closer than you'd ever think possible to the second largest waterfall (by volume) in North America by kayaking to the historic Willamette Falls in Oregon City. You can load up your gear for a quick trip and then grab lunch or dinner from one of the hip restaurants on Oregon City's award winning Main Street. If you need to rent gear you can do so from eNRG Kayaking, or even better yet, sign up for their 90-minute tour and get the inside scoop on the area's rich history.
Milo McIver State Park has a great kayak launch into Estacada Lake along the Clackamas River, and the paddle is incredibly peaceful. Go at your own pace and see sights like small waterfalls and a beautiful arch bridge spanning the lake, or schedule a guided tour with Clackamas River Outfitters who have a set up right at the dock and can provide you with all the gear you'll need for a hassle-free paddle.
Additionally, the Willamette Water Trail website has more information on paddling along the Willamette River, including safety tips and day itineraries.
Stand-up paddleboarding is certainly a unique way to experience the water. While it takes some practice to get comfortable, standing on water while you cruise down the river honestly feels pretty darn cool.
Clackamas River Outfitters on Estacada Lake rent paddleboards as well as kayaks. The lake is a peaceful escape to calm waters for those interested in trying out the sport. Similarly, eNRG Kayaking on the Willamette also offers SUP rentals and tours so you can explore the communities around Willamette Falls from a totally new angle.
A relatively new and interesting activity to try out is SUP Yoga....yep...yoga! eNRG Kayaking offers SUP yoga classes at Willamette Park (Bernert Landing) in West Linn where the Tualatin River meets the Willamette.
The Wild and Scenic Clackamas River and the Sandy River Gorge both have fantastic class III and IV rapids for an epic half day or full day rafting trips.
If you're new to the sport, there are a handful of knowledgeable guides and outfitters for these two rivers that help to ease any nerves about this high intensity water play and guide you on a safe and thrilling ride you will want to immediately do again.
All-Star Rafting & Kayaking provides trips on the Upper Clackamas River and raft rentals on the Lower Clackamas from Milo McIver Park to Carver Park. The tenured River Drifters and Blue Sky Rafting offer trips on both the Clackamas and the Sandy Rivers while Northwest Whitewater Adventures tours on the Upper Clackamas River.
