Disclaimer

There are significant dangers associated with both Open Water and Moving Water canoe outings.  Units undertaking a Scouting Adventure on either a large body of water or moving water need more than just the basic skills and knowledge required by the BSA to conduct such a trip.

The following lists places that Scouts and others have gone canoeing.  Our Troop has several adults with extensive experience and professional training in watercraft use, sailing and whitewater.  If you are planning a Canoe trip and do not have an experienced adult leader able to assess flow rates, wind and "read water", you should reconsider a water outing until you have the proproper resources and people to make your trip safe. 

Fire Mountain Scout Camp

• Lake Challenge is an excellent place to teach scouts the basics of canoeing.  Canoes, kayaks, other watercraft, PFDs, paddles and campsite are all available. 

Camp Pigott Scout Camp

• Hughes Lake is easy is great place to conduct canoe training.

• Canoes, kayaks, other watercraft, PFDs, paddles and campsite are all available. 

Arboretum

• Watercraft can be rented at UW Waterfront Activities Center

  • www.washington.edu/ima/wac

  • canoe-boat-rentals

  • 3710 Montlake Blvd NE

  • Seattle, WA 98195

  • March – October

  • UW Alumni: $11.50/hour

  • General Public: $12.00/hour

• Easy waters covered in lily pads

• Beaver Dens

• Arboretum is surrounded by forested areas, doesn't appear you are in city

• NOTE:

  • Montlake Cut is can be VERY CHOPPY - not recommended for canoes

  • Watch out for boat traffic when going from UW WAC to  Arboretum

Ross Lake and Diablo Lake

• 50 Miler option

• Can enter Canada side or South side

• South side requires portage - truck will pick you up and transports watercraft if desired

• Portage Service from Diablo Lake to Ross Lake

• www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/boating-on-ross-lake.htm

Kachess Lake

• This little gem is a wonderful place to take scouts new to canoeing (after mandatory training of course).  There are reservable campgrounds as well as a few canoe in, first come first served sites. 

• The mini island on the lake has enough room for 20 scouts. 

• The waterfall is a must see at No Name Creek.  Camping is possible there, but it is difficult to set up tents and 12 is probably the max number there (assuming some will use hammocks or other alternative methods to camp).

• There is a third group site just south of the cliff wall on the eastern bank just north of the launch site.

• Other dispersed camping is possible, but not for large groups.

• Afternoon winds will make southern travel challenging for new scouts.  Plan for or avoid windy times.

Cle Elum Lake

• French Cabin Creek Recreation Area allows for dispersed camping.  This allows scouts units to camp out by a canoeable lake.

Lake Chelan

• Big lake option for bigger adventures.  There are many campsites along the western and eastern shores of the lake. 

• fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3791141.pdf

• fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5439901.pdf

• fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5407534.pdf

Nisqually Delta (Quiet Water)

• Put In/Take Out: Luhr Beach

• Travel to upper portion of McAllister Creek

• Highlights: harbor seals, birds, and maybe a whale

• watertrail.nisquallyriver.org

• fws.gov/refuge/Billy_Frank_Jr_Nisqually/visit/boating.html

• Factor in Tides and don't get stuck:

• tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/noaatidepredictions.html?id=9446828&legacy=1

Lake Ozette

• greater than 12 square miles - Largest Unaltered Natural Lake in Washington

• Plenty to explore

• Lots of backcountry campgrounds (some are NOT clearly marked)

• Minimal boat traffic

• Portage not required

• Note:

  • Minimal resources nearby

  • Remote - Long drive to get there

  • Need backcountry permit to camp

  • Need park approved bear canister (except on Garden and Tivoli Island)