{"id":32,"date":"2023-11-08T09:56:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T09:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/\/?p=32"},"modified":"2024-10-08T19:26:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T19:26:35","slug":"boating-in-washington","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.boatsmartexam.com\/blog\/boating-in-washington\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Go Boating in Washington"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Going boating in Washington? Washington State offers outdoor enthusiasts a rugged playground that\u2019s gorgeous and straight-up hard to beat.<\/p>\n

Between the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains, the options for outdoor activity are endless. You can go wakeboarding<\/a>, boating, whitewater rafting, kayaking, hardcore<\/em> rock climbing, or mountain biking through an old-growth forest. Take your pick! There\u2019s always something awesome to do in Washington State\u2019s big, beautiful backyard.<\/p>\n

Spending time on the water is where it\u2019s 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\u2019s cool.<\/p>\n

Visit a big city like Seattle\u00a0or\u00a0Olympia. Or, visit a small town like Long Beach\u00a0or cozy\u00a0Leavenworth, known for its awesome rock climbing<\/a>. Washington has a water venue for every type of boater and paddler. So grab a map and start exploring some of our favorite spots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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The Best Boating Spots in Washington State<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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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\u2019d name just a few of our favorite ways to hit the water in Washington.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ross Lake<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ross Lake<\/a>, seen from the Washington Pass on the North Cascades Highway (State Route 20), provides excellent boating and angling opportunities.<\/p>\n

There is a 23-mile-long impoundment to the lake, which creates a bit of a barrier for those who aren\u2019t determined to access what the lake has to offer.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lake Chelan<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lake Chelan<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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Lake Cle Elum<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Year-round relaxation can be found at Lake Cle Elum<\/a>. Find this little gem just minutes from Roslyn, Washington, nestled in the surrounding mountain ranges.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, fly fishing, windsurfing, rafting, and swimming are all popular activities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Whale Watching in the San Juan Islands<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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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.<\/p>\n

The \u201cSouthern Residents<\/a>\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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Kayaking the White Salmon River<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The wild and beautifully scenic White Salmon River<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Boating in Washington State Parks<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Washington State Parks<\/a>\u00a0offer outdoor enthusiasts over 80 parks across the state and endless stretches of pristine terrain. So grab your\u00a0Discover Pass and start your Washington State boating adventure!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re into sailboarding, some of the world\u2019s best windsurfing conditions can be found on the waterways of Washington State Parks. The scenic\u00a0Columbia River Gorge has more than a half-dozen state parks located along it, where you\u2019ll find ideal sailboarding conditions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Doug\u2019s Beach<\/a>\u00a0is rated for advanced windsurfers. Nearby\u00a0Columbia Hills\u00a0has the perfect combination of calm water and high winds for beginners.<\/p>\n

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Washington State’s Best Boating Trips<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Many of the lakes in\u00a0Washington\u2019s 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<\/a>. It\u2019s an awesome place to camp out, too!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re after salmon or trout, plan on fishing at\u00a0Seaquest State Park<\/a>, nicely nestled under Mount St. Helens. If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that a current\u00a0Washington state fishing license<\/a> is required for all but a few game species.\u00a0For fishing license information, call the\u00a0Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife\u00a0(WDFW) at 360-902-2464. For current season openings, call the WDFW Fishing Hotline at 360-902-2500.<\/p>\n

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Enjoy Safe Water Adventures When Boating in Washington<\/h2>\n

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!\u00a0<\/p>\n

The BOATsmart! online boater education course for Washington<\/a> 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Take the course, get your boater education card, and then enjoy safer (and more fun) boating trips in Washington!<\/p>\n

Originally published in November 2018. Content most recently reviewed and updated for relevancy and accuracy October 8, 2024.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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