Yesterday was the perfect day to pull out the kayaks and hit the water. My son and I drove down to Tigard, Oregon (just to the southwest of downtown Portland) for his first calm water paddle in our new Oru Lake Sport folding kayak. I brought my trusty Green Edition Oru Inlet kayak along.

If you’re looking for a nice calm water kayaking spot, in today’s post we’ll share where we went, what the paddling experience and route was like, and a visual journey with photos and videos…

Flat water kayaking in Tigard, Oregon

The charming, bustling city of Tigard, Oregon is right along the Tualatin River Water Trail. This is one of the most popular Portland rivers for water enthusiasts. The river’s calm nature makes it an ideal spot for paddlers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned kayakers looking for a peaceful outing.

Where to go

While there are many kayak launch points along the Tualatin River, in Tigard, you’ll want to head to Cook Park. This launch site is perfect for getting on the water with ease, whether you bring your kayak or rent one during the high season.

Cook Park address:

17005 SW 92nd Avenue

Tigard, OR 97224

Make sure you’re heading to the Boat Ramp. You’ll wind back a ways through the park as you head towards the water, passing lots of other great park features: a NEW inclusive playground, sports fields, dog parks, bathrooms, and more.

Once you get to the water, park as close to the wooden dock as you can to easily haul your gear. If you need to rent a kayak (or canoe, SUP, paddle, life jacket), Cook Park kayak rental season runs through May 26th-September 5th, 2024 (Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend). Last rentals at 3pm.

Learn more about supporting and conserving this key waterway with the local nonprofit organization Tualatin Riverkeepers. Here’s a great video they created to share more about the features of Cook Park and this calm water stretch of the Tualatin.

Our Oru Kayaks family paddling experience

Since Oru folded kayaks are so portable and lightweight, it was easy to carry our gear from the car to the water. We assembled our boats right on the dock and launched from there. My son’s kayak is the white-transparent model, the smallest and most lightweight of all the Oru designs, called an Oru Lake Sport. My green one is an Oru Inlet.

If you’re considering these two folded kayak models, check out our in-depth comparison article of the Oru Lake vs Oru Inlet. And don’t buy an Oru kayak until you read this!

It took us less than 10 minutes to assemble both boats and we were on the water….

Lots of people were out and about, in that nice energetic way that sunny days bring: high schoolers swimming, older folks paddling, dogs and families in canoe – but there was plenty of room to use the dock.

Our route: we paddled upstream from Cook Park so we could float back to the dock. As you paddle along this meandering river, you’re surrounded by lush greenery, tall trees, stunning water reflections. There’s even a rope swing that older kids were enjoying, it looked fun.

We had a gentle current, nothing too difficult, but enough that when you paddled faster you felt your heart pumping and your body muscles working. It was a nice little kayaking workout.

At one point, my son and I had a race upstream :)

Connecting with nature

One of the joys of kayaking on the Tualatin River is the chance to connect with nature.

The river is teeming with wildlife—keep an eye out for birds, turtles, and fish as you glide by. The trees and vegetation along the riverbank create a natural canopy, providing shade and a sense of serenity.

This website is contains some affiliate links, meaning if you purchase through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you.

The Tualatin River Waterway really showcases the beauty and simplicity of flatwater kayaking in Oregon, and how living near a calm river can really be a nice quality of life boost... Its smooth, calm waters are ideal for practicing your skills or enjoying a leisurely paddle, and it’s so easy to get to from anywhere in the Portland area.

Whether you’re looking to escape daily stresses or seeking a new adventure, this popular sport offers a refreshing and rewarding experience (and afterschool family bonding adventure).

[Read more: Looking to paddle the Tualatin River from a different launch point? Read about the time we rented a kayak in Tualatin at Browns’s Ferry Park].

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.