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Portland, Oregon

Looking for the best kayaking in Portland? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Portland. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Kayaking Spots in and near Portland

  • Portland, Oregon

    Paddle Around Ross Island

    5.0
    This is a great little adventure for those looking to get on the water, but who don’t have time to escape the city. Paddle the loop around Ross Island for a scenic workout and a relaxing picnic.To begin your loop, put-in at Sellwood Riverfront Park – it features easy parking and sandy beach at al...
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  • Portland, Oregon

    A Quick Escape to Sauvie Island

    3.5
    During those summer days when you’re desperately seeking some sand between your toes, open space to soak up the sun, and nature to play around in…Sauvie Island is calling your name. Located just 10 miles outside of downtown Portland, Sauvie Island offers a convenient rural escape that’s just begg...
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  • Tualatin, Oregon

    Kayaking the Lower Tualatin River

    4.0
    The Tualatin River runs from Hagg Lake, near Forest Grove, then travels through many small towns before it empties into the Willamette River at Willamette Park.Start at the Tualatin Community Park in Tualatin and paddle down to Willamette Park in West Linn. This section offers a few miles of easy...
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  • Vancouver, Washington

    Kayak Vancouver Lake

    This is a lovely shallow lake for kayaking with spectacular views of Mt Hood and Mt St. Helens on clear days. It’s an ideal spot for beginners to learn water sports including, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding and swimming. There is a beach and park available for those afternoon picnics and nap...
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  • Camas, Washington

    Kayak Lacamas Lake

    5.0
    Lacamas Lake is popular for all types of water activities with easy access because of it’s dock and free public parking. This area is family and dog friendly and has picnic tables for a place to sit down and have a nice lunch after swimming. Rope swings can be found along the beach if you’re the ...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Backpack the Mark. O Hatfield Wilderness Via Eagle Creek

    1.0
    26 mi / 2300 ft gain
    This is a somewhat incomplete report because we did not venture too far into the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. The sky had been threatening us with rain for the duration of our hike along Eagle Creek and we did not want to push our luck too far since we were hoping for an early start on our drive ...
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  • Ariel, Washington

    Kayak at Yale Lake

    5.0
    Just 55 miles northeast of Portland lies a body of water so pure you have to see it to believe it...that's right, we're talking about Yale Lake. One of three lakes beneath Washington's ever rumbling Mount St Helens, Yale offers the outdoor lover just about everything they could ask for: calm wat...
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  • Estacada, Oregon

    Raft the Wild and Scenic Clackamas River

    5.0
    The Wild and Scenic Clackamas River above the North Fork Reservoir is a great destination for paddlers and only about an hour drive from downtown Portland. This popular 13.5 mile section of river lies within the Mt. Hood National Forest and offers continuous class II-III boating with a little cla...
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  • Cascade Locks, Oregon

    Camp at Lost Lake

    4.7
    When the temperature starts to creep up in the summer, Lost Lake is the perfect escape. The campground provides you with everything you could want – miles of scenic hiking, a multitude of water activities, and even a general store for anything you might have forgotten at home.The lakeside tent ca...
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  • Ariel, Washington

    Fly Fish Merrill Lake

    1 mi / 100 ft gain
    Surrounded by old growth forest, Merrill Lake near Cougar, Washington is the perfect little gem to get in some late summer, mid-elevation mountain lake fishing. The morning and evening hatches are known state wide for the size of fish they attract. There are stories of Eagles even stealing trout ...
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  • Government Camp, Oregon

    Trillium Lake

    4.9
    1.89 mi / 108 ft gain
    Trillium Lake is a popular camp spot at the base of Mount Hood. It's known for it's scenery, abundant recreational activities, and is family friendly. Boating, swimming and fishing are quite popular on the 63 acre lake. There is a small boat ramp within the campground and a larger ramp available ...
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  • Mount Hood, Oregon

    Kayak Laurance Lake

    5.0
    This lake is found about 25 miles south of Hood River, Or. $5 for day use and now other passes are accepted, just keep that in mind. There are camping sites all over the lake as well, so if you are thinking of making a weekend out of it.  It wasn't very crowded on a weekend during the summer so y...
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