We get it – locals love it “when the mountains are out” too. On a clear day, it’s quite a stunning experience to see the great Pacific Northwest mountains on full display. Looking for a flatwater kayaking experience with an epic mountain view? Here are a few of our top picks.

For recreational kayakers in the Pacific Northwest, there are many breathtaking lakes and rivers to explore and enjoy a mountain view on a clear day. Some popular flatwater kayaking spots include Trillium Lake and Lost Lake (Mt. Hood), Vancouver Lake and Scappoose Bay (Mt. St. Helens), and Owen Beach (Mt. Rainier).

Read on to learn a bit more about these experiences and discover your next favorite paddling route….

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Trillium Lake (Mt. Hood)

This stunning lake is one of - if not the - most popular lake to visit and paddle in the Mt. Hood area of Oregon. And for good reason. The incredible majestic mountain towers over the lake and on a clear day, its towering presences and the reflection of Mt. Hood on the lake is absolutely breathtaking. This lake is extremely popular for stand-up paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming.

Some important caveats to note: don’t expect to go kayaking here in the wintertime, when the lake is frozen and the roads are blanketed in spectacular mounds of white snow.

And in the summertime, when locals and visitors flock to the lake in droves to check off this bucket list experience, arrive early to secure parking.

While the Trillium Lake kayaking experience requires a bit more planning and patience for an enjoyable experience, it’s absolutely one of the most incredible mountain-viewing experiences in the Pacific Northwest and not to be missed! Pack a picnic, bring the family, and plan for a full day of summer fun.

(Pssst: Click the link here to learn more about kayaking on Trillium Lake and see photos and videos from our recent paddle in an Oru Inlet kayak? We also went back in July, 2023 for a waterside picnic and to give our new green edition Oru folding kayak an alpine lake spin).

If you’re not up for the big crowds of Trillium, and you need to rent a kayak, check out kayaking on Lost Lake. You’ll enjoy a winding, scenic drive deep into the Mt. Hood area to reach this historic, beloved spot, and enjoy epic views of Mt. Hood on a clear day.

Owen Beach (Mt. Rainier)

The wide openness of this body of water - with epic Pacific Northwest views - make this a nice kayaking experience. Beginners can paddle around close to the beach, while more experienced kayakers can venture west around Point Defiance towards miles of natural coastline. Kayakers should be aware of boat traffic on this experience, and if you’re looking to rent a kayak, the shop is open seasonally.

For Pacific Northwest wildlife fans out there (like us) depending on the season and your luck, bald eagles can be spotted near Owen Beach (keep your eyes peeled for them perching on tall dead trees), and if you’re the experienced paddler out along the sandy coastline, seals and possibly even whales (with a lot of luck). On this popular beach, kids will enjoy looking around for small crabs and sea stars (tide dependent).

When we were kayaking there last summer, we didn’t spot any wildlife, but the incredible Pacific Northwest views from our double kayak was still such a fun experience…. and Mount Rainier.

Scappoose Bay (Mt. Saint Helens)

A staple favorite paddle of ours near the city of Portland, Oregon, Scappoose Bay offers a fun recreational kayaking experience with a beautiful view of Mt. St. Helens on a clear day.

At this flat water kayaking spot, there’s a little something for everyone. It’s easy to get to and hit the water when you need a quick dose of nature in your life. The water is pretty much always calm water. And there are water birds galore!

So bring your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for common PNW animals such as great egrets, blue herons, osprey, geese, bald eagles, and more. There are also amphibians, turtles, and four species of salmon (during migration season).

Added bonus? If you don’t own a kayak, you can rent a single or tandem kayak from Next Adventure Scappoose Bay.

With it’s convenient on-water location, you won’t need to carry the kayak either - so you’ll be on the bay in no time. And if you need more kayak rental recommendations within 1 hour of Portland, check out this top post on Flatwater Kayak Club.

Love the beauty and history of Mt. St. Helens? Another great spot to paddle is Vancouver Lake, located just across the river from Portland, Oregon. This is a charming park, beach, and lake experience.

So whether you’re more a river paddler or fan of lake kayaking, there are two great opportunities to admire Mt. St. Helens from a kayak within just 30 minutes of Portland.

Wind River (Columbia River Gorge)

Kayak out by the Gorge on the Washington side, and enjoy a relaxing flat water paddling experience on The Wind river, with an epic Oregon mountain range view.

This sheltered area offers calm water when you paddle up the Wind river, and we recommend checking out this paddling route in the summer or fall (spring can bring high water levels). Looking for more of a guided experience? We’ve got you. Check out our review of this Gorge sunset tour experience.

At only an hour’s drive away from Portland, Oregon, this is one of our bucket list kayaking experiences in the Pacific Northwest.

Explore more PNW kayaking inspiration

Check out these top blog posts from Flatwater Kayak Club:

5 best tips to see majestic bald eagles while kayaking in the Pacific Northwest. Read on to discover a great place in the Pacific Northwest to explore by kayak and learn 5 tips for increasing your chances of observing our incredible national symbols during your paddling adventure.

Kayaking in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington. Just north of Portland, Oregon, is the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, where kayakers can observe osprey, bald eagles, black-tailed deer, the American beaver, and more – not to mention lovely floating homes – from Lake River. Learn about this beautiful flatwater paddling route, where to park, and a tip for renting a kayak if you need one (or two – bring a friend!).

Kayak on the Willamette River in Portland. Where can you go to admire the glittering city lights and iconic bridges of Portland, Oregon, paddle around an island, see incredible floating homes, all with the added chance of observing osprey, eagles, and even river otters? Look no further than the Willamette River.

And once you’ve had your incredible kayaking adventure, check out our list of 65+ best inspirational and funny kayak quotes for Instagram.

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