While Puget Sound, up in Washington, is the sea kayaking capital of the Northwest, Oregonians have also taken to this sport. However, sea kayaks in Oregon very rarely make it to the sea, where waters are usually far too rough for kayaks. But there are numerous protected bays along the Oregon coast that are popular paddling spots. Also, the Lewis & Clark National Wildlife Refuge on the Columbia River not far from Astoria offers miles of quiet waterways to explore.
White-water kayaking is popular on many of the rivers that flow down out of the Cascade Range in Oregon, including the Deschutes, the Clackamas, the Molalla, and the Sandy. Down in southern Oregon, the North Umpqua and the Rogue provide plenty of white-water action.
Sundance River Center (tel. 888/777-7557 or 541/479-8508; www.sundanceriver.com), which is located near Grants Pass, is one of the premier kayaking schools in the country. They offer a 9-day beginner's program ($1,950) that does a 4-day trip down the wild-and-scenic section of the Rogue River after several days of initial instruction.
Canoeing is popular on many of Oregon's lakes. Some of the best are Hosmer and Sparks lakes west of Bend, Clear Lake south of Santiam Pass, Waldo Lake near Willamette Pass southeast of Eugene, and Upper Klamath Lake (where there's a canoe trail).
