This massive horseshoe waterfall is a natural convergence for people, animals, and outdoor recreation.
This is a great kayaking trip right to the base of the second largest waterfall in the Unites States!
We dropped in at the boat ramp area at Clackamette Park, which was teeming with people swimming and lounging in the summer sun. Be prepared for some focused navigation to avoid everyone and enter the main channel.
From there, it’s a straight shot as you battle the current up the Willamette River to the falls. We encountered lots of activity – boaters, jet-skiers, etc. Take solace in the knowledge there’s much more going on underwater: Sea lions swim all the way from the Pacific Ocean for this destination as the falls create a natural trap for an easy salmon dinner.
As you near the falls, you’ll enter a weird industrial zone, as abandoned buildings line the water like the eery shell of a bustling futuristic metropolis. This sci-fi area is actually the remains of the Hydroelectric Power Reservoir, one of the oldest Western power plants, and which is now run by Portland General Electric.
But the falls! They cascade down 40 feet in a 1,500 foot-wide horseshoe. The sheer volume makes Willamette Falls the second largest waterfall in the United States, runner up to the Niagara Falls.
Did I mention Pacific Lamprey come here to spawn?
Often mistaken for eel, the lamprey climb up and along the rocks by their suction mouths. Creepy! But also pretty cool – The falls have long been an important part of Native American culture, as indigenous peoples came from far and wide to enjoy the falls’ bounty. (Check out this great article about the annual harvest of Pacific Lamprey to learn more!)
Anyway, maneuvering our way back to the boat launch was a struggle; there’s a strong current and some rapids right at the entry point, exacerbated by the throngs of swimmers playing among the rocks. I veered off to the wrong side in my first attempt, and on trying to cross again almost ran into someone! Beware!
If you’re ready for more, just past the boat launch go under the bridge and you can paddle up the Clackamas River. There’s a little peninsula to explore between the Clackamas River and Clackamette Cove (so named for it’s location at the convergence of the Willamette and Clackamas Rivers), where you’ll find open beach and calmer water to paddle around in.
Distance from Portland: 25 minutes / 20 miles
Length: 2 miles from boat launch to the falls
Difficulty: Moderate
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