Under an hour drive from Olympia, the section of the Nisqually River between McKenna and the Yelm Hydro Plant offers a leisurely escape from the city. The park also contains Lake Wenatchee that covers five miles and is 244 feet deep. Land lovers will also love checking out our guide to the top hiking trails in Washington State. Lake Cushman is a popular recreational lake, with kayaking, boating, fishing and hiking being offered. Guided tours in stable 2-person kayaks. With moderate rapids ranging from Class I to Class III, it's also a great place to start your white water river experiences. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Seals bald eagles otters & porpoise are common wildlife sightings. Mercer Island sits within the lake and its Luther Burbank Park has a swimming area, barbeques and a fishing pier. This Class V, 12-foot waterfall is one of the few commercially guided waterfalls in the state. Ways to get on it: Kayak, rowboat, canoe, and paddleboat rentals, plus pontoon tours, … Many things add up nicely to make the Wenatchee River one of the most popular white water rafting and kayaking spots in the state. The lake has some of the finest fishing in Oregon, known particularly for its brown trout, rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon. WASHINGTON Horseshoe Lake: Members of the Spokane Canoe and Kayak Club consider this small lake (128 acres) one of the best for paddling. It's really the first 25-mile stretch between Goodell Creek and Sauk River that's enticing to white-water sports. The 1,900 hectare lake is a popular place for recreational activities like boating, fishing and camping. Along the east shoreline of the lake is the Baker Lake Trailhead that offers both hiking and horseback riding. Commercial guides are readily available to raft the Skykomish and provide a safer approach for non-expert paddlers. The eruption all but devastated the river, sending a rush of volcanic debris and wreckage tearing throughout its banks. Green River, Kanaskat-Palmer State Park | Chelsea Nesvig / photo modified. This is when the banks swell with springtime rain and melting snow, which provide a wide range of rapids and amazing scenery. Lake Spokane (Long Lake): Paddling launch points and swimming beaches are located at Riverside State Park’s Nine Mile Recreation Area and Fed by the glacier melt of Mt. The ability to run the Green River Gorge depends on the release of the Howard Hansen Dam, which typically only happens in March and April. The state park boasts two beaches that offer swimming, kayaking, boarding and of course sunbathing. Lake Chelan is one of the most popular places in Washington during the summer, and for good reason. But this shouldn’t discourage anyone from visiting, as it is a beautiful lake. This prepares them for the real challenge, the Class V Boulder Drop, where boats are required to navigate around house-sized boulders. The most popular section to work through is the 19-mile stretch running from Leavenworth to Monitor. The river drops more than 500 feet in 19 miles where most commercial guiding companies put into the water at McFarland Creek. Explore the San Juan Islands by kayak with Shearwater! Lake Wenatchee sits on the eastern slopes of the Cascades Mountain Range in the Wenatchee National Forest. In addition to the beautiful weather and outstanding scenery, the Wenatchee River also offers something for every level of white water enthusiast. Kayaking in the Seattle Area – Seattle is a large area in the Washington state and is an excellent kayaking spot as it has many large bodies of water. There are also a few swimming and diving areas, like ‘Devils Punch Bowl’. The Pend Oreille River is one of the few major rivers in the United States that flows north, making it something you have to experience. I took my 10' Pelican 100 down there last Sunday morning for a bit of light kayaking exercise. These are great places to go kayaking and canoeing. These are the 15 best lakes in Washington. Note the crazy eddy lines, backflow and hydraulics. This world-class river is accessible from the tourist-friendly towns of Winthrop, Twisp, and Methow. Among its wide array of recreational adventures, the state of Washington offers amazing white water rafting and kayaking opportunities. Soap Lake, located in the heart of Central Washington, is a beautiful destination renowned for its mineral properties and healing waters. Click here to check currents in Deception Pass. Several guiding companies offer white water rafting trips throughout September. It is often said to be the longest and most challenging rapid in the state. In addition to hiking and swimming, many come to Lake Crescent to go fishing, kayaking and sailing. The Olympic National Forest is just above it, creating some imposing views. Soap Lake Resort. The lake offers views of the Space Needle, mountains in the distance, and other Seattle sights. The lake was created by the Diablo Dam and is sandwiched between Ross Lake and Gorge Lake. The winter is still filled with activity in the winter, however, and the area is a prime place to spot bald eagles flying near the banks. The drive around the 48 kilometre loop that encircles the lake is truly phenomenal. This makes it a popular spot for catching bull trout, largescale sucker, Northern pikeminnow, Mountain whitefish and other species that are native to the lake. Many of the cities and towns surrounding the lake boast lakefront parks where people can enjoy a picnic or a walk along a shoreline path. But what makes the Green River Gorge so great is what you'll find in that short window of time. Rivers across the State offer a multitude of sea kayaking opportunities. The Green River Gorge might not cater to the first-time white water experience, especially if you're hesitant about staying calm in the water. Due to its technical difficulty and fast-moving features, the run is not recommended for first-time boaters to tackle by themselves. This lake is excellent for late afternoon lounging—it’s along the Great Washington State Birding Trail, so you’ll invariably be serenaded by a wide array of songbirds. To explore more of Washington's wild side, the best state and national parks in Washington highlight the several different landscapes in the state. Washington is arguably the most beautiful state in the entire USA, what with its mountain ranges, deep fjords, temperate rainforests and Pacific coastline. People also visit the lake to go picnicking, kayaking, swimming and camping. Each year in October the trail holds a marathon. It is sandwiched between Cle Elum Lake and Keechelus Lake at an elevation of 687 metres. Late spring into early fall is the best time to get on the river, though paddlers can float the Nisqually throughout the year. Kayaking is a great way to explore our region's lakes, rivers, and the Puget Sound. The second largest natural lake in the state, Lake Washington acts as the border between the cities of Seattle and Bellevue. Baker Lake is situated in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest at an elevation of 215 metres. The park is located 16 miles from the town of Leavenworth. 2traveldads.com Central Washington. The 10,880 hectare lake was formed by the Missoula Floods over 13,000 years ago. With a few practiced paddle strokes, though, the Green River Gorge offers a great weekend adventure from Seattle. 1. My kayaking style is more leisurely, so the danger level is pretty low for the areas I’ve explored. Paddlers here can expect Class II-III rapids to practice their paddle strokes. 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