Get out into nature with this fun all-day kayaking adventure in Grays Harbor! Starting in Oakville and ending in Porter, this section of the Chehalis River is great for kayakers and offers incredible scenery and wildlife. It’s a great one-day kayaking trip for teens and adults.
A Kayak Day Trip Near Oakville to Porter: Wildlife, Serenity and Exercise
Your kayaking trip should start with a Discover Pass – it’s needed for both Oakville and Porter boat launches. Both are open year-round, so you can do this trip anytime.
We paddled this section of the Chehalis River in late August, which gave us perfect weather, water stage and flow. It’s always a good idea to check the water stage and flow on the National Water Prediction Service website before planning a trip. Water that is too high or fast could be unsafe.
Best for intermediate kayakers who are at least 15 years old, this portion of the Chehalis River is special. The clear water allows you to see fish as you glide by. A canopy of trees lines the shores and plenty of birds will keep you company. We even saw a beaver! Gravel bars in some parts afford a place to pull out for a lunch break (highly recommend!)
We had a strong headwind and even though we traveled downriver, we paddled almost the whole way, making it a nice physical challenge. About a quarter-mile after the Oakville Boat Launch, there is a massive log jam that you must portage around. Keep your eye downriver as you paddle, because you will need to avoid other log jams and jogs along the way – they are a neat reminder of the area’s history and often a place to catch wildlife sunning themselves or looking for prey.
Aside from the gravel bars, most of the bank is nonexistent, dropping off sharply at the tree line. For this reason, we recommend a kayak that you can easily climb back into should you fall out. Stand-up paddleboards could be used, but again, it’s a lot of paddling!
The challenges just add to the delight of this trip. It was a great mix of physical exertion, lazy paddling and enjoying the scenery. While there were people on some of the gravel bars, it was not overpopulated and most of the trip felt very remote.
Chehalis River Access in Oakville
Start your Grays Harbor kayaking adventure in Oakville. This cute town is easy to access off Highway 12 – it literally goes right through it! The Oakville Boat Launch provides Chehalis River access through the Davis Creek Wildlife Area Unit.
Getting to the Oakville Boat Launch
From 1-5, take US 12 West to Oakville. Right after Oakville, take a slight left onto Elma Gate Road W. The destination will be on the right. If you are coming from the west, take a sharp right turn onto Elma Gate Road W.
Notes:
- If you want a late picnic lunch – highly recommended – stop at Ace’s Delicatessen (303 E Pine Street) in Oakville for sandwiches and drinks before you hit the water. They are open at 11 a.m.
- Easy to launch kayaks.
- The concrete boat ramp is washed away at the bottom, about 25% of it, due to flooding so it’s no longer easy for a trailer and boat to use.
- No restrooms.
- If you don’t have a driver, you can catch an Uber at the Porter Bridge Boat Access back to the Oakville Boat Launch for around $50. It’s about a 15-minute drive.
Chehalis River Access in Porter
We ended this paddle at the Porter Boat Launch, giving us about a 5-hour paddle on the Chehalis River.
Getting to Porter Bridge Boat Launch
From 1-5, take US 12 West to Porter Creek Road W. Turn right on Porter Creek Road W and continue to the boat launch. From the west, turn left on Porter Creek Road W and continue to the boat launch.
Notes:
- Nice, easy kayak launch
- No restrooms
Grays Harbor Kayaking Trip
Want more? Head to Friends Landing, where they have both tent camping and RV hookups! Spend the night, then head out for another day of kayaking at Friends Landing. Or take a break from the river and enjoy the walking and bike trails at Friends Landing for a day, then head back to the water the next. Preachers Slough has great kayaking and you can launch and take out right at Friends Landing, no extra driving required. To plan your next Grays Harbor adventure, check out the Visit Grays Harbor website. Happy Paddling!
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