Places to Paddle

Kayaking Around the Tri-Cities

There are many locations one can put a kayak in the water near Richland, Kennewick and Pasco. North Richland launches are great for paddling upriver and around the many islands that make up McNary Wildlife Refuge. There are often populated heron rookeries on some of these, plus lots of other birdlife to view.

To paddle around the Yakima Delta, launch on either the east (Marina side) or west of Bateman Island. The delta is an area of islands, channels and wildlife – dear, beaver, herons, hawk and many more can be seen here. The east launch gives access to the west side of Bateman, or you can go up the Yakima into the Chamna area.

• Bateman Island: Launch west of Bateman Island for easy access to Yakima Delta; launch east at Marina to go around Bateman into Delta, up or down the Columbia.
• Leslie Groves: Launch just south of beach area; north or south are good access to Nelson, Gull, and many more islands.
• Saint Street Dock: Go upriver to go around islands.
• Above WSU-Tri Cities – Off 1st Street & Waterfront Drive
• Yakima – Twin Bridges, Van Giesen St.
• Chiawana Park
• Clover Island

• McNary Wildlife Refuge – Off Hwy 12
• Walla Walla River Delta
• Snake – Charbonneau Rec Area, Levey Park
• Hanford Reach
• Potholes
• Lake Roosevelt
• Umatilla Wildlife Refuge