Paddling

Whether you seek tide-ripped saltwater passages, challenging whitewater, or lakes big and small, Hood Canal is a kayaker, canoer, or paddleboarder’s ideal destination. Few places in the world can match the stunning scenery and easy access of the Hood Canal region. Sea kayakers can explore seemingly endless miles of pristine saltwater shoreline, cruise the reaches of Lake Cushman in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains, or glide with the gentle currents of the Skokomish and Tahuya Rivers.

Wet your paddle with these adventure ideas:

Explore SKOKOMISH RIVER, using public put-in on Sunnyside Road, just north of the Skokomish Valley Road.

Launch at Shelton Marina or Walker Park and paddle (with the tide) out HAMMERSLEY INLET to HOPE ISLAND. Ride the tide back for a little help with the paddle. There is a strong current in this passage that is difficult to paddle against but great to use to your advantage. It is necessary to be aware of the tides. If you miss the tide, head to the inlet shores to escape the prevailing currents.

Hope Island can also be reached with an easy paddle from Arcadia Point boat launch. At the launch you will find plenty of parking and easy access to the water. HOPE ISLAND has sandy beaches all around the island for easy landing and plenty of trails to explore.

Paddle the lower reaches of the SKOKOMISH near Union, explore the shores of HOOD CANAL or explore any of the lakes. A great Mason County destination is LAKE KOKANEE, or Lower Lake Cushman; this scenic lake can channel winds, watch for weather changes.

An interesting two-hour paddle starts at the boat launch at LAKE ISABELLA. At the far end of the lake, enter MILL CREEK through a patch of water lily pads. Glide through the willows for half a mile before the stream begins to drop and becomes too shallow to navigate.

Paddling Resources

Hood Canal Kayaks

(360) 559-4270 | hoodcanalkayakrentals.com 4790 Northeast North Shore Rd, Belfair Pickup/drop off service fee depends on location. Multi-day discounts.

SummerTide Resort & Marina

(360) 275-9313 | summertideresort.com 15781 NE Northshore Rd, Tahuya Boat and kayak rentals as well as a boat launch. .

Hood Canal Events

(360) 710-7452 | hoodcanalevents.com Union| Designs experience packages for small and large groups including kayaks and catering.

Hoodsport Kayak Rentals

24380 N US Hwy 101 | (360) 970-0213 Hoodsport downtown location with recreational kayaks and pedal boats; organized excursions and drop off available at Lake Kokanee.

Captain Lee Charters

(360) 790-2843 Alderbrook Resort, Union alderbrookresort.com Explore Hood Canal, Washington and South Puget Sound in a private, chartered 42’ wood Classic Grand Banks boat, “Twanoh.”

Alderbrook Waterfront Center

(360) 898-2252 | alderbrookresort.com 10 E Alderbrook Dr, Union Rentals include:kayaks, SUPs, hydrobikes, pedal boats, and motorized boats.

Hood Canal Adventures

(360) 301-6310 | hoodcanaladventures.com 251 Hjelvicks Rd, Brinnon Rental of kayaks, stand-up paddle boards (SUPs), and crab pots. Eco-tours, biologist guided tours on Hood Canal. Rentals can be delivered to local lodging or a number of local beaches.

North Bay Kayaks and Cones

(360) 535-2198 18350 Hwy 3, Allyn Access to the South Puget Sound region by kayak, SUP, or double kayak.

Arcadia Point Boat Launch

Arcadia Point, Shelton Few places offer as many different choices for kayaking adventures as Arcadia Point. As a new kayaker, practice getting in and out of the kayak on the forgiving gravel shores of Arcadia Point Boat ramp and make the trip over to Hope Island State Park. Cruise along in the safety of the shoreline or venture out further into the sound.

Whitewater paddling on Hood Canal rivers

The rivers of Olympic Peninsula are renownfor their great beauty as well astheir technically difficult white waterrafting and kayaking routes.

Placed high in the wilderness of theOlympics, the rivers that drain intoHood Canal are wild, steep andundeveloped.Many are Class IV - V rapids andare not to be attempted by thenovice paddler.

For information on white water sites inthe area, americanwhitewater.orgto view classifications /descriptions.Gary Korb’s, A Paddlers Guide tothe Olympic Peninsula (1997), isalso an invaluable resource beforeattempting these rivers.