How to navigate the Willamette Narrows by kayak

It was a beautiful weekend in Portland, Oregon, so I stole away for a few hours on Mother’s Day to paddle on the Willamette River. One of my kayaking adventures that I’ve loved is exploring the Willamette Narrows – but last time, I had been part of a guided REI kayaking tour experience.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get to the beautiful basalt rock formations of the Willamette Narrows–and if you have the right kayak boat and skill level for the journey–you’ve come to the right place.

Photos from my Mother’s Day weekend kayaking to the Willamette Narrows in my new green edition folding Oru Inlet kayak.

Kayaking to the Willamette Narrows: discovering nature's geological marvel

My first kayaking trip here was on a guided group REI Kayaking Tour to the Narrows last summer. And even though it was an incredible day out on the water, and such a unique paddling spot near Portland, Oregon, I hadn’t been back.

First off, I’m glad that my first trip here was with an expert guide because it’s a little confusing to get to the Narrows. And while this is a mostly flatwater paddle adventure, I’d recommend it for intermediate kayakers who are comfortable dealing with a river current, potentially strong winds, and motor boat wakes and waves.

Compared to last year, this weekend’s kayak trip on the Willamette River was much harder. But I was ready for the cardio workout and wave and wind navigation, so I felt safe and well-equipped to deal with whatever the journey brought my way.

Essential gear and preparation

Before setting off on your kayaking excursion, it's vital to ensure you have the appropriate equipment.

Gather your essentials, including a reliable recreational kayak, kayaking paddle, life jacket personal flotation device (PFD), sunscreen, water, snacks, and a waterproof camera to capture the natural beauty along the way.

For this paddling trip, I took my Oru Inlet folding kayak (which easily fits in the trunk of my small SUV and I can carry it no problem to the water – it weighs only 20 pounds!).

If you’ve got the option, paddle in a sit-on-top kayak or bring a boat skirt for your sit-in kayak. My open cockpit kayak worked out great, but I definitely had to navigate the waters. Bringing a bilge pump is also recommended.

Launching from Willamette Park

To begin your basalt rock kayaking adventure, head to Willamette Park in West Linn.

When you pull into the park driveway, keep going about 30-50 feet or so down the road, and you’ll notice there’s parking on the right and a gravel pathway down to the kayak, SUP, and canoe boat launch (you don’t need to use the motor boat ramp).

After parking your vehicle, unloading your kayak, locking up your car (make sure nothing valuable is left inside and/or visible), follow the designated launch area to safely enter the water.

Photo of the West Linn Park kayak launch, taken in May 2023 by Flatwater Kayak Club.

There’s also a small beach at this launch point. Depending on the day and time of your journey, it might be quite packed with people and pets…

Kayak, SUP, and Canoe boat launch area at West Linn Park in West Linn, Oregon.

Paddling through the scenic waterway

From the kayak launch area, you’ll paddle out to the river and go to the right. I highly, highly recommend you talk with any paddlers and anglers you might encounter on your journey to ask about the water conditions and ensure you’re going the right way.

Also, bring a friend! It’s always safer to paddle in groups than alone.

As you embark on your journey, the scenic waterway of the Willamette River will unfold before you – a beautiful scene of wide, open Pacific Northwest waters.

The paddle to the Willamette Narrows will cover a distance of approximately 2 miles each way, and can vary based on factors such as water conditions, wind speed, and boat traffic.

This is a photo of the paddling experience right after launching from Willamette Park in West Linn, Oregon, and kayaking towards the Willamette Narrows.

Navigating boat wakes, wind, and waves

While we focus on flatwater paddling trip reviews on this site, it's extremely important to note that the Willamette River is subject to boat wakes, wind, and waves, especially during peak boating hours. This requires a certain level of kayaking skill and experience to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Stay alert and be prepared to adapt your paddling technique to navigate these conditions! Need some tips? Check out PaddleTV on YouTube before you head out.

If you're a novice kayaker, consider choosing a day with calm weather and less boat traffic for a more relaxed experience.

And as we mentioned before, check out REI’s guided tours to the Willamette Narrows, since they give a full safety review and provide expert paddling tips to help boost your kayaking confidence and skills.

On this recent paddle, it was relatively easy to paddle the first part of the journey – but the 2 miles back were an hour-long challenging cardio workout.

Marvel at the basalt rock formations

Finding your way to the Narrows by kayak boat can be a little tricky to navigate, and there are different areas to explore, depending on season and water levels – on both sides of the Willamette River.

The last time I paddled this trip with REI guided tours, we crossed the river by kayak to explore around Rock Island, but this time I stayed on the same side as the park…

No matter the journey you choose for your kayaking adventure, prepare to be captivated by the awe-inspiring basalt rock formations that grace the banks of the Willamette Narrows.

These geological wonders, shaped over countless years, showcase striking patterns and textures, are so awe-inspiring and unique.

Kayaking the Willamette Narrows - May, 2023 - Flatwater Kayak Club

The Narrows are comprised of smaller, shallower channels that you can explore (and too shallow for boats to enter), which make them a really fun experience.

Take your time to observe the majestic basalt cliffs, paddling around the nooks and hidden coves, appreciating the raw beauty sculpted by forces of nature on this river in Portland, Oregon.

Wildlife encounters along the route

The Willamette Narrows is teeming with wildlife, making it a haven for kayaking nature enthusiasts by boat and land.

Keep a watchful eye while you’re out paddling, and you may be lucky enough to spot various creatures in their natural habitat – think graceful Great Blue Herons wading in the shallows, Bald Eagles soaring overhead, and playful river otters diving beneath the water's surface.

Interested in learning more about this river and the importance of its ecosystem? Check out our recent article on how kayakers can help with Willamette River conservation.

For those of you interested in flatwater kayaking fitness, I’ve started documenting more on the calories burned during my paddling trips.

On this 90-minute kayaking trip from Willamette Park in West Linn, to the Narrows and back, I burned 362 active calories.

On this paddle kayaking trip, over the course of 90 minutes, I burned 362 active calories.

Interested in more beautiful river paddles? Check out this guided sunset kayak tour on the Columbia River Gorge with unforgettable mountain views, and 3 stunning paddle routes on the Willamette River in Portland.