Coastal Kayaking in Oregon

If you ever find yourself bored in Oregon there are many ways to turn that frown upside down. One of the favorite ways of Oregonians is to take out the kayak. With so many rivers or lakes and even the ocean so accessible you just cannot lose. You can troll the waters for fish or just float along for a good time. From the ruff Rogue River around Glaice Oregon or the calm smooth sailing of the hundreds of miles of the John Day River you will find the setting for your perfect day on the water. Remember to bring the sun-block!

The Oregon Coast has always been a much desired destination for kayakers of all skill levels.  Many of the hotels offer special priced packages for rentals and gear with or without a guide. With placid ponds such as Devils Lake in Lincoln City, beginners can learn how not to flip over while father is fishing. You can cruise the long calm coast line while soaking up the sun from Waldport to Tillamook. Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge even has free tours that last around 2 hours with guides that show you the plants and animals of the Oregon Coast. The John Day River also has lots of guides and places for people new to kayaking and is not known for its rapids.

Some of us feel the need to take on some more hazardous conditions for that extra adrenaline rush. For this type of adventure we could head to the class 5 roaring rapids of the awesome Rogue River’s Rainey Falls. May to September is great times to grab your lifejacket and helmet for a trip on the Rogue.  The McKenzie River is one of my favorites with lots of class 3 rapids and so much pristine nature to pass while playing in the water. From April to October you can find good times on the McKenzie. Take a half a day to play or 2 days to explore, always something fun for everyone on the water.

If you are the fishing type then I recommend you take a kayak on the Umpqua River.  With 111 miles of water you can catch small mouth bass like crazy. Even trout with runs of steelhead and times you can catch shad here with a bare hook. There is a reason they do a yearly fishing competition here but if that’s not your thing the water is clean enough to just swim and play. The North Umpqua is very calm for the new kayaker who wants to learn or the pro who wants to relax. South Umpqua River is a little more ruff and shallow but it is still safe to be in the water.

Love this promo video of rafting on the Umpqua!:

Oregon is the place to get out that kayak. With so much variety you couldn’t ask for more. If you want to relax on the water or some fast and furious then this is the place for you. Kayaking is a way of life for many Oregonians so shops for new paddles and gear are very common. When it is hard to find yourself more than 15 miles from a good water spot you have found the jackpot. Looking for guided trips or rolling the river solo, fun is to be had by all.