Scenic 12-mile Willamette paddle with gear included
4 Hours
Kayak, Paddle, Lifejacket
Set out on a laid-back kayak adventure down the Willamette River from Independence Riverview Park to Wallace Marine Park in Salem. Glide with the gentle current, watch for wildlife, and take in vineyard-dotted countryside.
Sit-on-top kayaks have a 275 lb capacity; sit-inside kayaks have a 250 lb capacity.
Full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your booking.
Riverview Park Independence
McKenzie is clearly the heart of this operation, and reviewers cannot stop mentioning him by name. He shows up on time, gives thorough briefings on current river conditions, and goes out of his way to make things work, including last-minute schedule changes and shuttling paddlers back to their cars after the trip. Extras like life jackets, dry bags, and sunscreen are included, which takes the guesswork out of showing up prepared. The most popular route runs from Buena Vista Park to Independence along the Willamette, and it consistently delivers wildlife sightings, bald eagles, herons, and osprey among the most mentioned. The flatwater nature of the stretch makes it genuinely accessible for first-timers, though water levels can get low in late summer, so asking McKenzie about conditions before you head out is worth doing. The delivery and pickup option is a real highlight, letting you focus entirely on the float rather than logistics.
Beautiful day cruising down the Willamette with friends and seeing eagles and herons. It’s a peaceful way to kayak, all flatwater so anyone could do it, even a first timer. I really liked the no time limit so we could stop and have lunch as long as we liked. Mackensie was super helpful in sending us off and especially picking us up at the end and shuttling us back to our car. We all had such a nice time! Thanks to Independence Kayaks for a great birthday for my brother!
Shirley Hoffmann
July 27, 2025
Beautiful day cruising down the Willamette with friends and seeing eagles and herons. It’s a peaceful way to kayak, all flatwater so anyone could do it, even a first timer. I really liked the no time limit so we could stop and have lunch as long as we liked. Mackensie was super helpful in sending us off and especially picking us up at the end and shuttling us back to our car. We all had such a nice time! Thanks to Independence Kayaks for a great birthday for my brother!
Shirley Hoffmann
July 27, 2025