Where to Go Boating in Washington

Going boating in Washington? Washington State offers outdoor enthusiasts a rugged playground that’s gorgeous and straight-up hard to beat.

Between the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains, the options for outdoor activity are endless. You can go wakeboarding, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hardcore rock climbing, or mountain biking through an old-growth forest. Take your pick! There’s always something awesome to do in Washington State’s big, beautiful backyard.

Spending time on the water is where it’s at for us. Combining the Pacific Coastline, the extensive tidal waterways, and the island perimeters of Washington, there are 3,000+ miles of coastline to explore. Now that’s cool.

Visit a big city like Seattle or Olympia. Or, visit a small town like Long Beach or cozy Leavenworth, known for its awesome rock climbing. Washington has a water venue for every type of boater and paddler. So grab a map and start exploring some of our favorite spots. 

With popular boating and paddling options and organized tours located all over Washington state, your on-water activity options are limitless. So, to get you started, we thought we’d name just a few of our favorite ways to hit the water in Washington.

Ross Lake, seen from the Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20), provides excellent boating and angling opportunities.

There is a 23-mile-long impoundment to the lake, which creates a bit of a barrier for those who aren’t determined to access what the lake has to offer.  You can portage a canoe or kayak via water taxi via Diablo Lake. If you wish to access the lake by boat, the nearest available boat ramp is in British Columbia.

At the far north end of the lake is the Hozomeen Campground. You can access the boat ramp after a 40-mile drive from Hope, British Columbia. Once on the lake, you get incredible views of the North Cascades.

Lake Chelan is a 50-mile-long body of water with many smaller lakes and waterways nearby. With the Columbia River four miles east of the lake, there are plenty of watersport opportunities.

The lake is a playground for watersport enthusiasts, including sports like waterskiing, jet skiing, parasailing, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, tubing, boat cruising, windsurfing, and sailing. Winds are stronger up the lake in the Lucrene Basic and near Stekekin.

Year-round relaxation can be found at Lake Cle Elum. Find this little gem just minutes from Roslyn, Washington, nestled in the surrounding mountain ranges. 

Water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, fly fishing, windsurfing, rafting, and swimming are all popular activities.

Magnificent orca (or killer) whales live in the San Juan Islands year-round, and this is the best place in the world to see them. You can also view humpbacks, minkes, and even gray whales.

The “Southern Residents” reside in the area and can be seen between spring and fall. Other interlopers can also be seen, including sea lions, seals, porpoises, bald eagles, and more. There are many wildlife tour boat operators in the area due to the plethora of wildlife viewing opportunities here.

The wild and beautifully scenic White Salmon River begins on the glaciers of Mount Adams and flows into the Columbia River. It offers whitewater, a noteworthy forested canyon, and the Husum Falls, a large commercially run waterfall that is a haven for kayakers.

With no internet flow gauge, many use the visual foot gauge below the Husum Falls as a measurement for the level of the river before making the trip.

Washington State Parks offer outdoor enthusiasts over 80 parks across the state and endless stretches of pristine terrain. So grab your Discover Pass and start your Washington State boating adventure!

If you’re into sailboarding, some of the world’s best windsurfing conditions can be found on the waterways of Washington State Parks. The scenic Columbia River Gorge has more than a half-dozen state parks located along it, where you’ll find ideal sailboarding conditions. 

Doug’s Beach is rated for advanced windsurfers. Nearby Columbia Hills has the perfect combination of calm water and high winds for beginners.

Many of the lakes in Washington’s State Parks are regularly stocked with rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee trout. Cascade Lake at Moran State Park is one such place and has become a really popular fishing destination. It’s an awesome place to camp out, too!

If you’re after salmon or trout, plan on fishing at Seaquest State Park, nicely nestled under Mount St. Helens. If you’re looking for largemouth bass, you can reel them in at Curlew Lake in the Okanogan Highlands. Or try Triton Cove on the Hood Canal, where you can also catch offshore salmon, red snapper, and cod.

Keep in mind that a current Washington state fishing license is required for all but a few game species. For fishing license information, call the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) at 360-902-2464. For current season openings, call the WDFW Fishing Hotline at 360-902-2500.

Enjoy Safe Water Adventures When Boating in Washington

We want you to stay safe when heading out on the trips and adventures we’ve highlighted today. So, before you go boating in Washington, make sure you’ve learned how to stay safe on a boat! 

The BOATsmart! online boater education course for Washington meets the state’s requirements for your boating safety safety certificate. Plus, the course is fun and engaging, making it easier to pass the exam and carry what you’ve learned with you each time to hit the water for some fun. 

Take the course, get your boater education card, and then enjoy safer (and more fun) boating trips in Washington!

Originally published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy October 8, 2024.