- In the city
Willamette River, Sellwood
Launch from Sellwood Riverfront Park and paddle downstream toward Ross Island and its quiet lagoon. Watch for motorboat wakes on summer weekends and keep an eye on the current after spring rain.
- In the city
Columbia Slough
Nineteen miles of slow, sheltered water winding through North and Northeast Portland, with herons, beavers and turtles. A good first paddle for a new boat.
- About 40 minutes
Scappoose Bay
Calm, tree-lined water off the Multnomah Channel with a marina and launch. Wide enough for a canoe, protected enough for a windy day.
- About 90 minutes
Trillium Lake
The postcard: Mount Hood reflected in a small mountain lake. No gas motors, so it’s quiet. It’s a Forest Service day-use area, so check fees and road status before you go.
- About 3 hours
Waldo Lake
One of the clearest lakes anywhere, high in the Cascades east of Eugene. No gas motors. Afternoon wind can come up fast, so go early.
Field Journal · Where to go
Five put-ins from our Portland home
Riverside ships from Portland, Oregon, and these are the waters a boat on the roof can reach in an afternoon. Drive times are from downtown and change with traffic.
Before you go: check water levels, closures and parking passes with the land manager, wear a life jacket, and tell someone your plan. Cold water is the biggest risk in the Northwest, even in summer.