Three incredible summertime flat water paddling experiences, all under an hour’s drive from Hood River, Oregon. If you’re visiting this charming town along the scenic Columbia River Gorge, be sure to carve out some time for a breathtaking kayaking adventure.

All of these routes were paddled by our very own Flatwater Kayak Club founder, and we took these images ourselves – so you can see the true experience of what an epic water adventure awaits!

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1. Wind River, Washington

Head to the Wind River in July or August (right near Stevenson, Washington), and on pleasant weather days, you can paddle upriver through calm, clear glacier-fed waters.

We recently enjoyed a sunset tandem kayaking tour in the Gorge that followed this route, and it was an incredibly beautiful and peaceful experience.

Pro tips: take a guided tour first with Hood River SUP & Kayak before you attempt this route on your own, bring bear spray (just in case - this is a salmon run river, after all), and kayak on a weekday evening to have the quietest experience (we’ve heard that summer weekends can be busy and loud with music). Note you’ll need to bring your own kayak or rent one as a part of a guided kayaking tour experience, as there’s no rentals available on-site otherwise.

2. Trillium Lake, Oregon

One of my favorite lakes to paddle out in Mt. Hood National Forest is the spectacular Trillium Lake. On a clear summer day, you have an incredible view of Mt. Hood. Seriously, we mean it when we say the word breathtaking.

Pro tips: Visit this alpine lake during the summertime months (otherwise you’ll be greeted with feet and feet of snow and a frozen lake), and aim for a late afternoon arrival on a weekday or early morning arrival on a weekend for the best (and closest) parking opportunities. Kayak rental opportunities are not steadily available here, so bring your own kayak or rent one from a paddle shop in Hood River.

2. The Hook, Oregon

The closest spot of he three to flatwater kayak from downtown Hood River, The Hook Point offers a mostly-sheltered calm water kayaking and SUP experience. During peak kayaking months and favorable weather days, you’ll enjoy unforgettable mountain and river views, Wells Island, and clearer, calmer water than some other launch points in the Gorge.

Pro tips: You can rent a kayak from Hood River SUP & Kayak, located right at Hook Point, and there’s plenty of parking down by the Hook or along the waterfront itself. Bring a picnic for your paddle out to Wells Island!

About Flatwater Kayak Club

Flatwater Kayak Club is a leading woman-owned online platform dedicated to supporting beginner and intermediate kayakers in the Pacific Northwest. Our company founder, a former writer for The National Geographic Channel and a current ACA member, guides our mission with her passion for kayaking, nature, and storytelling.