Welcome to Portland, OR, the absolute best place in the entire world! There is no better metropolitan area in which to reside and be a paddler. West of Portland is the Oregon Coast, scenic and rugged with great surf and the Coast Range Mountains with great play and creeking. To the north lies the Lewis and Washougal drainages, with great wilderness runs for all abilities. The Cascades and the Columbia River Gorger are to the east with runs fed by rain, snow and glaciers. The Santiam River and its tributaries among the Cascades provide more fantastic boating opportunities. And Portland itself is split by the Willamette River before it flows into the Columbia- together they provide an immense amount of opportunities for everything from after-work workouts and multi-day sea kayak trips. Portland has over 100 runs of all difficulties and styles within an hour and a half - you can always find a river suit your interests and abilities.

Portland-area Paddling Resources
Click here to view all our great paddling resources... for both beginners and those maintaining a paddling lifestyle in our region!