Oregon is known for its many beautiful and diverse landscapes, and one of the best ways to experience them is by paddleboarding. There are numerous places in Oregon where you can paddleboard, each with its own unique set of features.

Before I start with the best places to paddleboard in Oregon, I would like to let you know that the Outdoor Master online store offers a wide variety of reliable paddle boards and accessories, so be sure to check them out if you need anything for your trip.

Without further ado, here are the best places to paddleboard in Oregon:

1.Crescent Lake

Located in central Oregon, Crescent Lake is a great place to paddleboard for all levels. The water is calm, making it suitable for beginners learning how to paddle board.

In addition to paddleboarding, Crescent Lake is also a great place for fishing, swimming, and camping. There are numerous campgrounds located around the lake, making it easy to find a spot to set up camp.

Fish species that you may encounter in this lake include, Panfish, Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Musky and Walleye

If you are looking for beautiful scenery in a place where you can enjoy nature and relax paddleboarding around central Oregon state, I will highly recommend you this place.

2.Columbia River

Located on the border between the states of Washington and Oregon, this river is good for fishing. Paddleboarding here you can catch more than 50 different fish species, both native and introduced.

This river is also good for those who want to paddleboard in a more challenging environment as the current can be strong in parts. However, if you stick to the calmer areas near the shore, it is still suitable for beginners.

If you visit this river near Portland, you can also enjoy the city's many attractions such as the International Rose Test Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, and Oregon Zoo. 

The more you are near the Pacific Ocean, the stronger the winds become. So be prepared for paddleboarding in rougher conditions.

If you are looking for a place where you can fish and paddleboard at the same time, this river is a good choice. You can also enjoy the scenery of two states at once as you paddle down the river.

3.Deschutes River

The Deschutes River is a great place to paddleboard for all levels. The river flows through central Oregon (through Bend Oregon) and is surrounded by mountains, making for some beautiful scenery.

There are many different put-in and take-out points along the river, so you can paddle as little or as much as you want. The river is also great for other activities such as fishing, swimming, and camping.

If you are a beginner, I recommend you avoid places where the water is white because white waters mean there are some rapids and they can be dangerous.

If you are in central Oregon (Bend Oregon for example) and want to paddleboard in a place with beautiful scenery and plenty of different activities to do, the Deschutes River is a great choice.

4.Devils Lake

Located just off Oregon’s coast in Lincoln City, Devil’s Lake is a small place with crystal-clear turquoise water.

This lake’s shallow water is suitable for beginners looking to cool off during the hot summer.

Since this place is popular, parking can be a challenge during the weekend. If you are like me, you prefer avoiding the crowds, go there on the weekdays.

Don’t have your own paddle board or gear, no problem, there are many SUP rental shops nearby where you can rent.

If you are looking for a place to paddleboard with a stunning alpine surround, where you can take photos for Instagram, consider visiting this place.

5.Sparks Lake

Located in central Oregon, Sparks Lake is a great place for all levels of paddleboarders. The water is calm and there are no rapids, making it ideal for beginners.

What I like about this lake are its scenic views. The Mount Bachelor mountains provide a beautiful backdrop while you paddle around the lake.

There are also many different activities to do in addition to paddleboarding and numerous trails located around the lake, so you can explore the area on foot.

If you want to paddleboard in a place with beautiful scenery and plenty of different activities to do, Sparks Lake is a great choice.

6.Willamette River

The Willamette River is a large river that flows through many cities, including Medford, Eugene, and the city of Portland.

This is a great place to paddleboard because it is calm and there are many different places to access the river.

In a few places on this river, the water is great for beginners because it is slow-moving and there are no rapids.

If you are considering paddleboarding in the Willamette River in Portland, you can rent your gear from multiple SUP rental shops.

To my knowledge, the best rental shops are Portland Kayak Company, Gorge Performance, and Oregon River Rentals.

7.Timothy Lake

Timothy Lake is a manmade reservoir located in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

The very calm water and the multiple places from where you can access the lake makes it a great place for paddleboarding.

Things that I like about this lake are that you can camp right next to it at one of the many camping spots around the lake, making it great if you want to make a weekend out of it and paddleboard multiple days in a row.

There are no paddle board rental companies near this place. This makes you dependent on either bringing your own gear or knowing somebody that has it.

Thankfully, Outdoor Master offers reliable paddle boards that are affordable with great deals from time to time.

For beginners, I recommend them the 10'6" long all-around SUP boards for short ones or people on the light side, but if you are big or heavy, my recommendation goes to Solar Spirit 11'6" 

8.Lost Lake

Located in Mt. Hood National Forest, Lost Lake is a serene and beautiful spot for paddleboarding. The lake is surrounded by tall evergreens, and there is a sandy beach area for swimming and relaxing.

The water is calm and clear, making it ideal for beginners and others looking for a peaceful place for paddleboarding. There are also several hiking trails in the area for exploring.

Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake, making it a great place for those looking for a paddleboarding experience with no diesel gas smells and no loud engines.

9.Hood River

Hood River is a town in Oregon located on the Columbia River. It is known as a mecca for windsurfing and kitesurfing, but it is also a great place for paddleboarding.

The Columbia River Gorge offers stunning views, and there are many different spots to paddleboard, including near waterfalls, calm waters, and protected areas right off the shore.

It is recommended for beginners to stick to calm water near the shore, and if you are more experienced, you are free to explore the larger river.

There are also several rental shops in Hood River, so it is easy to get started with paddleboarding even if you don't have your own equipment.

10.Applegate Lake

Applegate Lake is a beautiful secluded spot for paddleboarding that is located in southern Oregon. The lake is surrounded by mountains, and there are many different spots to explore by paddleboard.

There are sandy beaches for swimming and relaxing, and the water is calm and clear. There are also several hiking trails in the area, so you can explore the area if you don't want paddleboarding.

Applegate Lake has two designated swimming spots, two campsites, and golden sand beaches. Paddleboarders can also explore the many inlets around the lake.

To my knowledge, there are no paddle board rental shops near this lake, and getting there requires a bit of a drive.

11.Trillium Lake

Trillium Lake is a popular spot for camping, hiking, and fishing, and it is also a great place for paddleboarding. The lake is located in the Mt. Hood National Forest, and it is surrounded by tall trees.

The water is typically calm, making it a good place for beginners to paddleboard. More experienced paddleboarders can explore more than one inlet around the lake.

Fish species that can be found in Trillium Lake include Rainbow Trout, Skamania Trout, Brook Trout, and Lake Trout. There are also many different hiking trails in the area.

Trillium Lake has a small boat ramp, making it easy to launch your paddleboard. There are also several campsites and picnic areas nearby.

12.Upper Klamath Lake

This is a large freshwater lake in Oregon and is located in the south-central part of the state. The lake is very shallow with an average depth of only 14 feet.

Since lakes' water levels can fluctuate due to many reasons that include irrigation for local agriculture, it is better to check the water level before you go paddleboarding.

The lake is home to a large variety of fish including, Shortnose sucker, Rainbow trout, Largemouth bass, Black crappie, and White crappie.

If you are looking for a place to do some fishing while paddleboarding, this is a great option.

Due to the shallowness of the lake, the water can get warm in the summer months making it ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. However, be aware of wind conditions before you get there.

13.Mckenzie River

This is a very long river located in the western part of Oregon. It is one of the most popular rafting and kayaking rivers in the state.

The McKenzie River is also great for paddleboarding with its many Class II and III rapids. This river is suitable for those who are looking for a more challenging environment.

The scenery along the river is beautiful with many forests and mountains. This is a great place to paddleboard if you want to explore the wilderness and see some amazing views.

There are many companies that offer guided tours and rentals. So, if you are not sure about paddling on your own, you can always join one of these tours.

14.Elk Lake

Elk Lake is located in central Oregon (Cascade Range of Oregon) and is a very popular spot for camping, fishing, and paddleboarding.

The lake is very large with a surface area of ~8,200 acres. It is also deep with a maximum depth of 192 ft.

Since the water can get very choppy in windy conditions, it is important to check the weather forecast before you go paddleboarding.

There are many different fish species in Elk Lake including Walleye, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Muskellunge, Yellow Perch, Cisco, Northern Pike, and Rock Bass. So, if you are looking for a place to do some fishing while paddleboarding, this is a great option.

There are also many camping sites located around the lake to find a spot to set up camp and stay overnight.

15.Henry Hagg Lake

Henry Hagg Lake is located in the Tualatin Mountains of Oregon and is a great place for paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

The water is clean and there are beautiful mountain views. There are also several paddleboard rental shops near the lake.

Fishing species in the lake include Bluegill, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Coastal Cutthroat, Brown Bullhead, Rainbow Trout, and Yellow Bullhead.

Getting to this lake is not easy as you have to hike for miles, but the effort is worth it.

Since this lake is close to Portland, it can get busy on weekends or in the summer.

FAQs

WHAT GEAR DO I NEED TO PADDLE BOARD IN OREGON?

The gear you need to paddleboard in Oregon depends on the type of paddle boarding you want to do. If you are a beginner doing recreational paddle boarding on flat water, then you will need a reliable all-around paddle board, a paddle, a pump, a leash, and a life jacket. If you are going to be paddle boarding in the ocean, then you will need all of the above plus a wet suit.

IS ELECTRIC SUP PUMPS WORTH THEIR PRICES?

Yes, electric SUP pumps are definitely worth their prices. They make inflating your paddle board a lot easier and faster.

My recommended all-around e-pump for paddle boards is Shark II.

This electric pump is a great option if you are looking for the best all-around e-pump for your paddle board. With its built-in cooling system, it can inflate up to three paddle boards in a row, it comes also with an automatic shut-off feature to prevent overinflation, and is easy to operate and carry.

The only downside of this pump is that it can be a bit on the expensive side for some. However, it is definitely worth the price if you are looking for a high-quality electric pump.

DO YOU NEED A WETSUIT TO PADDLE BOARD IN OREGON?

No, you do not need a wetsuit to paddleboard in Oregon. However, if you are going to be paddle boarding in the ocean, it is advisable to wear a wet suit to protect yourself from the cold water.

DO YOU NEED A PERMIT TO PADDLE BOARD IN OREGON?

No, you do not need a permit to paddleboard in Oregon.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO RENT A PADDLE BOARD IN OREGON?

The cost of renting a paddle board in Oregon varies depending on the rental shop and the length of time you want to rent the board. You can expect an hourly fee of around $24 to $70 depending on things like whether is it delivered to the water body or not.

WHAT ARE THE BEST TIMES OF YEAR TO PADDLE BOARD IN OREGON?

The best times of year to paddleboard in Oregon are the summer months. However, some lakes can be busy during this time. It is advisable to check with the local paddle board rental shops for information on the best times to paddleboard.

CAN YOU PADDLE BOARD ON THE OREGON COAST?

Yes, you can paddleboard on the Oregon coast. However, there are some areas that are more suitable for paddleboarding than others.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL RULES OR REGULATIONS FOR PADDLE BOARDING IN OREGON?

There are no special rules or regulations for paddle boarding in Oregon.

WHAT ARE THE SAFETY RULES TO FOLLOW PADDLEBOARDING IN BEND OREGON?

• Wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.

• Have a leash attached to their paddleboard at all times.

• Have a whistle attached to their life jacket or paddleboard.

• You must yield to faster-moving vessels when paddling in Bend Oregon.

• Paddleboards must be operated during daylight hours only.

• Avoid rivers if you are a beginner.

That’s all for this article, I would like to let you know that you can join our paddle board Facebook group for more tips, tricks, and advice.

Thank you for reading.

See y’all.