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Gorge Paddling Center
Gorge Paddling Center
5
Water Sports • Gear Rentals • Self-Guided Tours & Rentals • Stand Up Paddleboarding • Kayaking & Canoeing
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Temporarily closedClosed until Apr 15, 2023
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Stand Up Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals located in Hood River, OR. Our location features a safe protected cove that connects to the Columbia River. We offer Kayaking Tours in the heart of the Columbia Gorge, our guest favorite it is the Sunset Kayak Tour. Join us when you travel to Hood River and enjoy one of our Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard offerings this summer! We can host people of all ages and abilities to allow for an awesome day of Hood River kayak and SUP fun!
Hood River, Oregon
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
87 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
1
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0
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0
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Aitrus
140 contributions
Jun 2021
My family of five had a great time on the daytime guided kayaking tour. We've all been kayaking a couple times before but this was the first time using a 'sit inside' kayak. Josh our tour guide was great at explaining the differences and helped all of us get them adjusted so we would be comfortable.
Once on the water, we headed upstream of the small estuary and found some bald eagles and other wildlife. We took a short break to stretch our legs and skip some rocks before heading back down stream. The last part of the tour was to head out under the bridge and into the Columbia River where we were treated to beautiful views of the river and surrounding hills.
We were visiting the area just a couple weeks before the historic high temperatures and on our tour we started off a little chilly but quickly warmed up once we started paddling.
Once on the water, we headed upstream of the small estuary and found some bald eagles and other wildlife. We took a short break to stretch our legs and skip some rocks before heading back down stream. The last part of the tour was to head out under the bridge and into the Columbia River where we were treated to beautiful views of the river and surrounding hills.
We were visiting the area just a couple weeks before the historic high temperatures and on our tour we started off a little chilly but quickly warmed up once we started paddling.
Written July 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We love when we see Bald Eagles and other awesome birds while out on the kayak tours. We find the sit inside kayaks to be more comfortable and higher performance, we are glad to hear you enjoyed them.
Thanks for the awesome review!
Written July 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ashley
Boston, MA40 contributions
Aug 2021
I decided to beat the rest of my group out to Hood River to play on the water for a few hours and the Gorge Paddling Center was perfect for that. It's located almost directly across the Port stop for the Columbia Gorge Express and the local Hood River route which is very convenient.
I arrived not long after opening and the process of renting a kayak and getting out on the water was incredibly easy. The Paddling Center is located in a protected cove which was perfect for reorienting my rusty kayak muscles. Since I was rusty, I asked for tips while signing in and got information about the weather conditions and tips for the best route. It was a gorgeous day with sun, nice temperatures, and almost no wind so paying at the end with no limit meant I didn't have to worry about making it back at a certain time and could just enjoy my time on the water. It was a great experience and I'd recommend them to anyone!
I arrived not long after opening and the process of renting a kayak and getting out on the water was incredibly easy. The Paddling Center is located in a protected cove which was perfect for reorienting my rusty kayak muscles. Since I was rusty, I asked for tips while signing in and got information about the weather conditions and tips for the best route. It was a gorgeous day with sun, nice temperatures, and almost no wind so paying at the end with no limit meant I didn't have to worry about making it back at a certain time and could just enjoy my time on the water. It was a great experience and I'd recommend them to anyone!
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thanks for the awesome review of our hood river waterfront kayak and stand-up paddleboard rental center. It sounds like you got the perfect day!
That’s so cool that you noticed we are right across from the best car free transportation options from Portland.
We love to make the process super easy and quick to get our rental customers on the water. We are glad you had such a positive experience. Thanks for sharing with the world!
-Todd
Written June 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelli K
1 contribution
May 2022 • Couples
What a fantastic experience! We had a beautiful day along the river. Our guide, Josh, made us feel comfortable on the water and helped us just enjoy the incredible surroundings. Such a worthwhile experience. If you only have half a day on the Columbia, this is how you should spend it.
Written May 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Safety is our number one priority. When our customers feel safe we know then they can enjoy themselves out on the Columbia River. Josh had a great time taking you guys out on the kayak tour. Thanks for joining the Gorge Paddling Center!
Written June 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dee M
Hillsboro, OR77 contributions
Jul 2021
My girls and I enjoyed taking part in your sunset kayak tour this past Sunday, July 18. Everything about the evening was perfect - weather, the river and leisurely pace, learning some local history, watching a bald eagle circle about twenty feet overhead and our guide's enthusiasm. Sebastian was personable with everyone and upbeat.
Thank you for a fun evening.
Deanna Maddy
Thank you for a fun evening.
Deanna Maddy
Written July 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
That sounds like an incredible evening on the water. We are thrilled to hear you had such a great kayaking experience in the Hood River area with our team.
Thanks for choosing Gorge Paddling Center!
Written August 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
J G
3 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We loved our sunset kayak trip! One of us had limited kayaking experience and both the guides made it easy to learn, helped build confidence, and made it fun! They both were very personable, an funny, yet professional and safety conscious. They knew a lot of natural history as well. The location was beautiful! Great way to end a day in the Gorge!
Written August 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stacy T
Portland, OR1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Friends
Great experience. The equipment was nice and our guide Todd was great. He seemed as happy to be there as we were.
Glad we didn’t choose the other kayak company that operates here; they paddled back to the boat ramp before the sun had even set! Bummer for that group…they missed a beautiful sunset.
Glad we didn’t choose the other kayak company that operates here; they paddled back to the boat ramp before the sun had even set! Bummer for that group…they missed a beautiful sunset.
Written September 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
janice r
Novi, MI13 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
Beautiful sunset! Had a group of 9 traveling together ranging in age from 24 through 56 and we all had a wonderful time. Easy paddle up river. Very nice guides who knew the area and history. Favorite part was watching the sunset from a sandbar in the middle of the river. Stunning!
Written August 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karla D
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
Josh was incredibly talented showing us the beauty of Wind River and the Columbia River. Complete with a rope swing, blackberry picking from the kayak, bald Eagle sightings, a family of ducks, blue heron, fish and Native Indian chinook salmon nets. We were able to see the sun setting on the world renowned Columbia Gorge.
Truly a must do experience with a guide who has the serenity to match the scenery.
Josh, Steve and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful 2 hours in the beauty of the PNW.
Truly a must do experience with a guide who has the serenity to match the scenery.
Josh, Steve and I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful 2 hours in the beauty of the PNW.
Written July 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Glad to hear you had an awesome trip with Josh!
Thanks for choosing Gorge Paddling Center for your kayak tour while in Hood River.
Written August 3, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lisa
Bangs, TX1 contribution
May 2022 • Family
The trip was fantastic! Josh our guide was very nice, kind, informative, & empowering for first time kayakers. The area was beautiful. We saw Bald Eagles & beavers!!!! That’s 2 things you don’t see every day! The area is just off the Columbia River in a smaller no wake zone area. The stream moved but no white waters lol. I was so at ease on the tour it has given me the kayak bug and want to go again! Our 11 year old son loved it. We did venture out into the Columbia River a ways toward the end & that was pretty neat. Glad we all wore rain jackets, as we got rained on briefly which was needed for the cooler temps. It was in the 60s, my husband was the smart one he had the Merrel wet type tennis shoes and bombas wool socks. If you don’t have that then I’d recommend sandals with straps. Definitely check this company out for tours!
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are so glad to hear that your entire family enjoyed the kayaking experience. We try our best to make sure that these tours are fun for first timers, kids, adults, experience paddlers, and anyone who wants to enjoy kayaking. This time of the year the bald eagles are frequently seen. You are lucky for the beaver sighting, we usually see 5-10 per season. Thanks for joining us on the kayak tour!
Written June 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen S
2 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Gorgeous scenery, calm water with an enthusiastic guide. Lindsey made us feel safe and secure while we relaxed and enjoyed the water with our teens. Seeing a bald eagle catch a fish was quite the bonus. Thank you Todd for understanding our needs and running a smart business. Book today you will be pleased.
Written June 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
aerofig52
North Attleboro, MA172 contributions
how long are the recreational kayak tours. how much time sitting in the kayak? my husband and i have kayaked several times before, but due to an accident injuring his knee he has trouble sitting for long periods of time.
Todd A
Hood River, Oregon, United States
The kayak tours last approximately 2 hours on the water. There are beaches that provide opportunities to get out and stretch along the way.
