The Pacific Northwest is an incredible place for wildlife lovers to explore. Discover 20 beautiful wildlife species that non-motorized kayakers can spot on their next paddle (and important legal and ethical code of conduct rules to follow).

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.

Perfect for all kayaking skill levels. Easy, free parking. Kayak rentals on-site. And a beautiful calm water paddling experience to see historic bridges, water birds, and lovely riverfront homes near downtown Portland, Oregon. Read on to learn a great place to flatwater kayak on the Tualatin River.

Flatwater kayaking fans, have we got a great spot for you to paddle. Perfect for intermediate recreational kayakers. 10 minutes from downtown Rose City. A fun, 2.5-mile round trip adventure around a volcanic island. The ease of on-site kayak rentals. And the best part? It’s the perfect calm Willamette River paddle to admire the changing Autumn leaves, right from aboard your boat.

A little gem of a destination called “The Hook,” located on the Hood River, Oregon waterfront, provides a mostly-sheltered flatwater kayaking experience. Unforgettable mountain and river views and clearer, calmer water than other launch points in the Gorge make this a must-do on your PNW flatwater kayaking bucket list.

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.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the world to go flatwater kayaking. And whether you’re a visitor to the area or a resident, there are also many great places to rent a kayak within one hour of Portland, Oregon.

Need a kayaking spot within about 30 minutes of Portland, Oregon? One those staple always-a-good-time paddling experiences, with the ease of on-water kayak and SUP rentals, and a dynamite view of Mt. St. Helens on a clear sky day? Look no further that Scappoose Bay.

You can’t beat the convenience of the lightweight foldable Oru Inlet kayak, easy enough to carry from your car to the water’s edge for quick assembly.

Basalt rocky formations, cool little channels to explore, and the chance to spot osprey, bald eagles, river otters, and more– all just a short, easy drive south of Portland, Oregon.