REI guided Mt. St. Helens kayak tour [REVIEW]

If you're on the hunt for a unique kayaking tour in Washington State, we have some great experience-backed reasons why Coldwater Lake should be on your radar. Formed after Mt. St. Helens' big volcanic eruption in 1980, this lake offers a lot more than just pretty views.

Read on to learn more about our experience on the REI Guided Mt. St. Helens Kayak Tour and see photos and videos of our beautiful, sunny, calm day on the water…

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What’s special about Coldwater Lake?

Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest and at the foot of Mt. St. Helens, Coldwater Lake offers pristine, calm waters surrounded by a backdrop of rich natural history. The lake's formation story combined with its serene environment makes it a must-paddle for kayakers in the region.

Coldwater Lake is a testament to the dramatic force of nature and its ability to shape landscapes in unexpected ways. Originating from the catastrophic eruption of Mt. St. Helens in 1980, the lake was formed when massive landslides blocked Coldwater Creek, leading to the accumulation of water over time.

Unlike many lakes which have evolved over millennia, Coldwater Lake's relatively recent formation offers a unique window into geological change and ecological resilience. As kayakers glide over its serene waters, you can paddle above a living history lesson.

The lake's surroundings, still rebounding from the eruption's impacts, are home to a rich tapestry of recovering flora and fauna - most especially with a rich forest of deciduous trees. During our weekend paddle, these beautiful trees’ leaves (mostly alder in species, with a few maples here and there) were already changing to beautiful Fall shades of orange, crimson, and yellow. In just a couple of weeks, Coldwater Lake will be an amazing place to paddle for leaf peeping views!

“Coldwater Lake is situated at 2,500 feet on the northern foot of Mount Saint Helens.”

— REI Guided Tours

The backdrop of Mt. St. Helens, with its stark reminder of nature's sheer power, only adds to the profoundness of this kayaking experience. And the panoramic mountain range views are really quite special to experience from a boat on Coldwater Lake. And on that note? No motor boats are allowed, so this is quite a tranquil place to escape to from the hustle and bustle of life…

The REI guided kayak tour experience

Having experts lead the way often enhances a kayaking adventure, and that’s why after a great first guided kayak trip with REI to the Willamette Narrows in Oregon, we decided to sign up for another one.

With this being a remote lake (Coldwater Lake is a nearly-2 hour drive each way from Portland, Oregon) and relatively quiet in terms of people, paddlers, and anglers, this is absolutely a place you need to paddle with a plus one or on a guided experience. Be safe and don’t kayak alone.

Our REI Mt. St. Helens guided kayak tour registration for one-person, an REI co-op member, cost $125 (our participation and review was not gratis from REI). Registration comes with two expert, certified guides, a single or double kayak (no need to haul one to the launch point!), PFD life jacket, paddle, and dry bags (if needed).

Both our guides were certified in emergency wilderness first aid, had satellite phones, and provided a safety lesson and clear guidelines for the tour.

Pro tip: The kayak tour participants did tag-team carrying our Wilderness hardshell kayaks to the water. These boats are not light, but everyone pitched in and helped. If you’re feeling apprehensive about carrying a kayak a short distance to the water’s edge, just let the guides know – they’ll take care of it for you. We had 10 or 11 paddlers on our guided tour, and there was a helpful and friendly vibe from all.

Our tour guides not only ensured that participants are equipped with the right kayaking gear and accessories, but also valuable insights about the lake and its surroundings. One of our guides even had a degree in geology, so he had excellent insights and storytelling during the paddle trip.

Beyond just paddling tips and tricks, we learned about the lake's formation, the ecosystem's resilience, and how the environment has adapted post-eruption. We also felt there was a nice balance of conversation and silence (which isn’t always the case on guided kayaking experiences).

For our tour, we launched our kayaks from the Coldwater Lake boat launch point, and went counter-clockwise around the lake, which in total was about 4-5 miles of paddling distance. Deemed appropriate for the “easy active” crowd, we agree with this assessment.

The first half of the padding route was on mirror-flat lake water. The waves and wind picked up a bit on the second half of the journey, but everyone (from beginners to more advanced kayakers) was able to handle the additional challenge with ease. Also the guides are highly aware and offer lots of breaks throughout the 4-hour Washington state kayak tour experience.

Mt. St. Helens in the background of Coldwater Lake, as taken by Flatwater Kayak Club.

Coldwater Lake wildlife

One of the treasures of the Pacific Northwest is its rich biodiversity and wildlife. First off, the fish – this lake is a managed trout fishery, so anglers have a great chance of catching rainbow trout and cutthroat. And with the clear waters along the lake’s perimeter, kayakers have the opportunity to see many swimming fish.

Some highlights of our kayaking tour here included observing a bald eagle sitting high up in a tree and then swooping down, talons extended, to catch a fish in the lake. Other bird species we saw included crows, Canadian geese, ducks.

A real highlight for our group was spotting a skeleton carcass on land from our boats (likely a deer – what do you think took it down?), then animal prints in the sand (likely deer as well, but elk have been spotted in the area), and then an adorable trotting Black-tailed deer on the last leg of our journey. Check out our video highlight reel on this article page to see some wildlife footage!

Deer tracks in the rocky sand beach at Coldwater Lake, Washington state.

The clarity of the lake, especially in shallower regions, offers an almost HD-quality view of underwater life.

Community on the water

Every kayaking journey is enriched when you’re paddling with good people. Our tour group, a mix of beginners and seasoned paddlers, found common ground in their love for the water. Sharing stories, exchanging tips, and occasionally helping one another made the journey feel communal and supportive. It was especially interesting to hear tales from people who lived in this area before and during Mt. St. Helens’ volcanic eruption.

Planning your Coldwater Lake kayak trip

If you're feeling the pull of this Mt. St. Helens area lake, here are some pointers:

• Best time: Spring through early fall offers optimal conditions and active wildlife. Guided kayak tours, for example, end in October of each year. The end of September should offer peak colored fall leaves.

• Tour duration: Set aside around 4 hours, inclusive of breaks, especially if you want to kayak around the whole lake.

• Pack right: Sun protection, hydration, snacks, water, water shoes (like Tevas or Crocs), and a camera are essentials. A waterproof bag will help keep your belongings safe. In your car, be sure to have extra water and food, a set of dry/clean clothes, and a towel.

Whether you're a beginner or have many paddles under your belt, Coldwater promises a memorable experience!

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.

Tag us in your kayaking pics on Instagram with hashtag #FlatwaterKayakClub.