How far upstream can you kayak on the Naselle River?
The distance from the boat ramp at the Willapa Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on Hwy 101 (near the south end of Long Island) to the Naselle River is approximately 3 miles. From the confluence of the Long Island and Naselle channels one can paddle about 6 miles upstream, just past the bridge in the town of Naselle, where the water becomes too shallow for kayaking. There are 7 rivers of varying length draining into Willapa Bay. All offer excellent protected paddling through extensive salt marsh, home to abundant wildlife. These are relatively short coastal rivers that quickly become shallow beyond tidewater. Shorelines are typically steep and muddy, with few take-out points. The best planning strategy is to paddle upstream with the flood current, returning to the launch point on the ebb current. Check the Willapa Bay map for launch options.
