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OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

Make a Splash: Water Sport Adventures

Palouse River (Photo Credit: Strategy Northwest)

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By Gwen Dildine

When the weather warms up and the rivers swell, there’s no better way to cool off and explore the Walla Walla Valley and the surrounding Blue Mountains than by heading straight for the water. At Outside Walla Walla, we’re passionate about getting folks outdoors and into the wild beauty of our region—so we’ve paddled, floated, and splashed our way through some of the best local water adventures, and we’re here to help you do the same. Whether you’re new to kayaking or a seasoned paddleboard pro, there’s a water experience waiting for you. Here’s a guide to some of our favorite places and ways to enjoy water sports throughout southeast Washington and northeast Oregon.
Columbia River Access Near Wallula Gap (Photo Credit: Strategy Northwest)
The Columbia River is vital for so many reasons–ecological, industrial, agricultural. When the wind is calm enough for a paddle, recreation is also a welcome way to experience this dramatic landscape.

Paddleboarding & Kayaking the Walla Walla Valley's Waterways

Paddleboarding and kayaking are the more accessible ways to explore the region’s rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. From glassy lake surfaces to slow-moving rivers and pulse-quickening rapids, we’re fortunate to have a little bit of everything.

Local outfitter Adventure Fit guides paddleboard and kayak trips across the region, and the Whitman College Outdoor Program rents gear to the community. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own water craft!

Bennington Lake (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)
Practically ever activity we enjoy is available at Bennington Lake. Its proximity to town catapults this destination to the top of the repeat list. Once the reservoir is filled, a season of paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing begins.

Top Spot to Launch in Walla Walla

Just minutes from downtown Walla Walla, Bennington Lake is a multi-use recreation haven. On the water, look to the shoreline as folks fish, horseback ride, mountain bike, run, walk, bird, and observe. On the horizon the Blue Mountains peek over the rolling foothills. The reservoir fills at the mercy of the snow melt as well as the good folks at the Corps of Engineers. This beloved spot serves many purposes, one of which is recreation.

Tucannon and Snake River Confluence (Photo Credit: Strategy Northwest)
While it is impossible to travel most of the rivers from source to mouth, using the navigable lower sections that create a pool when meeting larger bodies of water provides fantastic sightseeing, birding, and overall exploration. Make sure to always recreate within your comfort level.

Top Spots to Launch on the Snake River

The confluence of the Snake and Palouse Rivers at Lyons Ferry State Park offers a stunning setting for paddling. Traveling up the Palouse River, the dessert landscape gives way to lush riparian habitat anchored by basalt cliff walls. The swallow nests are tucked in every crevasse, and the Great Blue Heron, eagles, and hawks are on patrol. This is a birding paradise.

Give yourself plenty of time to explore this area, including a short drive from Lyons Ferry State Park to Palouse Falls State Park. Palouse Falls is Washington’s state waterfall. It is a site to see any time of year. Remember, there is no river access from Palouse Falls State Park. Trust us, the view is all you need.

Not far from Lyons Ferry State Park, the Tucannon River joins the Snake River. By late spring, this peaceful float is prime for fishing, birding, and sightseeing. More spots to wander the Snake River shoreline include Texas Rapids and Little Goose Landing.

Top Spots to Launch on the Columbia River

Admittedly, there are plenty of spots to enjoy the Columbia River from Canada to the Pacific Ocean, but there is only one Wallula Gap. Though at first glance and at highway speeds, this area can seem more industrial than destination-worthy, this area is a Journey Through Time. Enjoy this complimentary guide that includes where to find water access at Wallula Gap.

Another notable confluence near Wallula Gap is the mouth of the Walla Walla River. The last few miles of the river are within the McNary National Wildlife Refuge. This region is well known as a stopover along the Pacific Flyway. Make sure to pack your binoculars in your water bag.

Wallowa River (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)
What a river to have in our recreation back yard! The Wallowa River eventually joins the Grande Ronde River, but, until then, it provides a exceptional family-friendly float. Its always fun to see the Eagle Cap Excursion Train, which is another fantastic way to see this part of the world.

Paddleboarding & Kayaking in the Blue Mountains

Jubilee Lake is another multi-use destination. Located in the Umatilla National Forest at 4,700 feet, swimming off a paddleboard is just about the best way to beat the heat. It is an easy to day-trip to Jubilee Lake, but boasting a large campground surrounded by many other recreation attractions makes the case to reserve a spot for a few days.

Further south, Indian Lake Campground is adjacent to Lake Hiyúumptipin, which translates to grizzly bear devouring. This surprisingly large campground offers a wonderful weekend respite full of nature, fishing, and human-powered water sports.

Whitewater & Scenic Floats: Rafting the Blues

Rafting is a dynamic way to explore the region’s rivers. Whether you’re craving an adrenaline rush or a lazy summer float, rafting delivers.

The Wallowa and Grande Ronde Rivers flow through some of the most breathtaking country in the Pacific Northwest, in our humble opinion. Originating in the Wallowa Mountains and Elkhorn Mountains, these snow-fed rivers tell the story of winter’s snowpack as they rush toward their eventual confluence, joining the Snake and then Columbia Rivers before meeting the Pacific Ocean.

The Wallowa River offers two very different experiences. The first is a fairly mild ten-mile float that follows a section of the Wallowa Lake Highway. This is the section the Outside Walla Walla team used to build our oaring skills. It is also a nice section to fish off a kayak or small raft. Since it is so close to the highway, although not very noticeable from the river, easy access makes the river easy to scout and shuttle.

The second option starts at the confluence with the Minam River. The Minam Store & Outfitters runs a day-trip float that is also approximately ten miles to the Wallowa River’s confluence with the Grande Ronde River. The shuttle trip back is as entertaining as the float—utilizing railroad to truck and carry the gear back to the store. This is a guided trip, not a shuttle service. We’ve rafted several times with the Minam Store & Outfitters folks, and every trip is beyond exceptional—the stuff of core memories.

Tire Eddy Camp, Salmon River (Photo Credit: Gwen Dildine)
The rafts are tied up for the evening as everyone in camp enjoyed another magnificent meal. Second only to dessert was the magical sunset that punctuated a fun-filled day on the river. Each night on the river is unique. Riding wave trains is the obvious crowd-pleaser, but embrace the pace of beach life.

Whitewater & Scenic Floats: Multi-Day Rafting Trips

Another option is to extend the float from the Wallowa River and continue on the Grande Ronde River. There are a handful of takeout options, and this will depend on how many days you want to spend on the river. Typically, we only have a night, and it is possible at higher flow to raft from Minam Station Day-Use Area to Powatka Bridge Takeout. This requires two long days on the river, so two or more nights is ideal.

The Grande Ronde River is a family-friendly float. There are plenty of smaller rapids to keep everyone entertained, but just enough big water to dust off the rowing skills. The campsites are numerous, each with their own vibe. This remote landscape offers solitude, peace, and rejuvenation, not to mention fun, thrills, and, most importantly, uninterrupted time to connect.

To reach these remote places requires less time than you would expect from the dessert-like conditions of the valley. It requires just an hour and a half to reach the put in for both rivers. The Wallowa River is a much easier shuttle, while the Grande Ronde River (again, depending on where you take out) is at minimum an hour and a half shuttle back to the Minam Station Day-Use Area. This means that if you are traveling to Walla Walla for more traditional reasons, rafting pairs well with blend of activities—toast to recreation!

Speaking of wine, the Minam Store & Outfitters runs a Wine & Food on the River trip on the Grande Ronde, Salmon, and Snake Rivers. If you thought rafting was fun, try running a river with a winemaker! From family-friendly to fishing to food and more, they have a trip for you—no experience necessary!

The last river our team considers a regional attraction is the Salmon (lower). The main reason centers on the shuttle—the trip starts and ends in Clarkston, Washington, which is only two hours from Walla Walla. This might seem way outside Walla Walla (see what I did there), but as any avid rafter will attest, it is a mere drop in the groover in comparison to the commute many rivers require.

We had the good fortune of rafting with a lovely gentleman from Texas who spent four days floating the Salmon River followed by, I believe, a week in Walla Walla wine tasting with friends, so it is definitely possible and recommended.

Swim the Snake: A Water Sports Tradition

If you’re looking for a unique water-based event, mark your calendar for Swim the Snake in August. Hosted at Lyons Ferry State Park, this annual swim and paddle event draws adventurers from all over the region. Participants swim or paddle across a stretch of the Snake River while taking in the stunning scenery.

Dive In—We'll See You on the Water!

Water is one of the region’s most dynamic outdoor playgrounds, and we love sharing ways to enjoy it. Whether you’re paddling across Bennington Lake, rafting a canyon-carved river, or trying SUP for the first time, there’s no shortage of opportunity for adventure here.

At Outside Walla Walla, we’re here to help you explore more and worry less. Check out our Water Sports section for more information and trip inspiration. Let’s make a splash this season!