Food & Drink
Our Favorite River Floats in Washington
Spend a hot summer day floating on one of Washington's many rivers
By Alene Bouranova July 31, 2015
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2023 issue of Seattle magazine.
Note: This article was published in July 2015 and some details of this article may have changed. For more current information, see the August 2018 cover story of Seattle magazine on the 40 Best Water Adventures in the PNW, which features some of Washington’s best river floats.
Washington, as we all know, is a land of many rivers: the winding Columbia, the raging Skykomish, the gentle Stillaguamish….I could go on and on.
As lovely as these rivers are to look at, they’re even better to float on. Just picture it– the sun shining, birds soaring, and you, cool as a cucumber in your inntertube, floating leisurely past wildflower-dotted banks, laughing with friends while sipping a river-chilled beverage. Ahh, paradise.
All you need for a successful river float is good company, a sturdy inflatable (River Rat tubes are my go-to) and cars parked at the start and end of the journey. Heads up: this hot summer weather has left water levels lower than usual, so be prepared for slower float times. And as always, keep an eye out for rocks and logjams.
With that in mind, grab a few friends and make a day out of these fun river adventures.
Central & Eastern Washington
Okanogan River, Okanogan
Put in: Omak Stampede Grounds or River Access Park
Take out: Just before SR97 bridge
Time: 2-4 hours
Wenatchee River, Leavenworth
Put in: Icicle Road Bridge
Take out: Waterfront Park
Time: 3-4 hours
Yakima River, Ellensburg
Put in: Umptanum Recreation Site
Take out: Roza Recreation Site (last chance exit point– go any farther and you’ll end up at the dam)
Time: 3-4 hours
Western Washington
Cedar River, Renton
Put in: Jones Road
Take out: Carco Theatre
Time: 2-3 hours
Snoqualmie River, Fall City
Put in: Plum River Access Point
Take out: SR202 Bridge
Time: 3-4 hours
South Fork Nooksack River, Acme
Put in: Acme Bridge
Take out: Potter Road Bridge or Strand Road
Time: 4 hours
Looking for more float trips? Get ideas here!
This article previously included information on river floats at Green River which have since been removed because of conflicting information.
Follow Us
Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing
Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege
In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…
Glacial Expressions
Local scientist and painter Jill Pelto spotlights climate change in a multi-artist show at Slip Gallery
The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…
How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis
Theatre is planning for its 50th birthday next year
Karen Lund vividly remembers that sinking feeling she had in the fall of 2023. That was when Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre Co., first realized that the financially strapped, midsized professional theatre in the Greenwood neighborhood might not survive. The theatre had already weathered the worst of the pandemic, but costs were mounting….
Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts
Nonprofit loses previously approved federal grants with little warning
The letter came without warning, like a slap in the face from an invisible hand. Humanities Washington CEO and Executive Director Julie Ziegler had already been talking with peers in other states, and she readied herself for the blow. The National Endowment for the Humanities (think DOGE) had terminated her nonprofit’s previously awarded federal grant…