Kayaking Palouse River Basin

I love paddling the Palouse but instead of putting my kayak in gear and powering through the basin, SusieDog and I decided to explore it, and it was beautiful. We stopped, hiked up and explored what appeared to be State Park land, and took in the views before paddling back to our put in.

Drive to Lyon's Ferry Marina, cross bridge to go to state park and after the main State Park entry, turn right to go to the secondary water access point. This helps you avoid having to go around the whole state park burm (important when you have a wiggly 50lb dog on your lap).

Permits needed: Discover Pass (Washington State Parks Pass)

Hat Rock State Park

Hat Rock State Park (click for link), located off highway 730 between Wallula and Umatilla,  is a lovely state park with a walking trail, a link to the Lewis & Clark Commemorative Trail (click for link), a boat launch, fishing pond, and more, is a great link to the Columbia River for paddling and adventuring.

The park is free and open to the public and requires no permits. To get there from Walla Walla is a 50 minute drive.  Go west on highway 12 towards Pasco and Wallula. Instead of turning right at Wallula, go straight and drive as the highway turns to hwy 730 and Oregon. You'll go past a few turn outs (posts to come) and two recreation areas and then you'll see the signs for Hat Rock State Park.  Turn right and follow the road veering left until you hit the boat launch/park area.

Enjoy!

Jubilee Lake

One of my favorite places in Umatilla National Forest, Jubilee Lake is amazing for water sports or hiking. Surrounded by trees and high elevation, it's cooler and beautiful. Lots of people think it's beautiful too so you may see others there, but it's worth it!

To get there: Drive up to Tollgate (see Woodward Campground for directions).  After the Tollgate Store but before Spout Springs Ski Area, take a left on Skyline Dr.  Drive that road for 12 miles (it goes to gravel but is okay for small cars).  Take a right into Jubilee Lake and you're there!

Permits needed: NW Forest Pass (you can buy a day pass up there too)

Charbonneau Park

This park is an awesome place to boat or just beat the heat! Stand up paddleboards, kayaks, boats, or swimming - all are great!

To get there, 

Drive down rose and take a right on 13th. Follow it past the penitentiary and take a left on Harvey shaw road. Follow Harvey shaw to where it intersects with highway 124 and go west toward Pasco. Follow that for a longish while and take a right toward the park (follow the signs). Enjoy!

Speed boats at lyons ferry

Take a trip out to the newly reopened state park at lyons ferry! It's beautiful out there and in incredibly great shape. Paddleboards, kayaks, speedboats, all are fun and there is a great swimming area!

To get there: 

Drive east on highway 12 through Dayton. At milepost 281ish, turn left onto hwy 261 toward Palouse falls. Follow it for about 20 Milesish and either go to the KOA or cross the bridge to the state park. Have fun!

This park requires a state park permit which you can purchase on site if necessary. 

Kayaking the Walla Walla

Madame Dorian park at the confluence of the Walla Walla and Columbia rivers is a great put-in for water sports! The park is closed to camping but there is a boat launch, parking area, and maintained portapotty still open just past the old camp ground. The boat launch lets you out on the Walla Walla and from there you can go left (east) up the Walla Walla for miles and explore tributaries or right (west) to the mighty Columbia. Birds, fish, and an occasional beaver can all be seen. 

To get there:

Head west on highway 12 to Pasco

Follow 12 west at the wallula junction. A little (less than a mile) after the junction, take a right on North Shore Road (Madame Dorian Memorial Park signs). Go right on the road (watch for potholes!) and follow the road keeping the camp ground and bathrooms on your right to the river. Enjoy!

There are no permits needed for this park.