If you’re an experienced kayaker looking for a day trip kayak adventure in Olympia, check out the Black River between 123rd Avenue and the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area! It’s perfect for outdoor adventure seekers wanting a unique kayaking trip in Thurston County. Bring a lunch, your kayak and your friends for a day on the water.
Spring Kayak Day Trip Near Olympia
Kayaking the Black River is a great spring kayak trip near Olympia that includes gorgeous scenery, challenging navigation for those looking for a more advanced river outing. To kayak the Black River, our experts suggest a sit-on-top kayak in the 10-foot range due to frequent portaging required.
Springtime is the best time to kayak this section of the Black River, when the water is deeper, though even at the end of April, some parts were already quite low at 8 inches. Locals explained that in the summer, the water gets down to about an average of 12 inches, making it more challenging for kayakers.
You’ll want to wear water shoes for this kayak trip in Thurston County, as it requires mandatory portages due to logs over the river in certain points—of course this may change if someone clears them, but it’s good to be prepared. The river bottom is pretty thick and muddy. Keep an eye ahead of you and be ready to pull to the edge and portage around debris.
Another aspect that makes this kayaking spot challenging is the tall marsh that the river opens up into, before branching off into several directions. The grass is often taller than you, and the water is shallow. However, the beauty and uniqueness of the area makes it definitely worth the challenge!
As it branches off into the side waterways, you are entering the Ramos Black River Preserve. Enjoy the incredible grassland, sometimes dotted with trees and be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly birds.
Nearing the end of your journey, at the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area, you will pass near the Glacial Heritage Preserve, a truly beautiful area that preserves the Puget Prairie ecosystem that settlers came upon in the 1800s.
Note: The Glacial Heritage Preserve trails are open to the public one day a year, for Prairie Appreciation Day, so if you are a nature-lover, it’s a great date to get on your calendar.
Where to Put-In to Kayak the Black River
For this trip, we put in our kayaks at 123rd Avenue Southwest, Olympia, to do a one-way trip, so we parked a second vehicle at the Black River Boat Launch Parking Area at 14995 Littlerock Road SW, Rochester. Remember to have your Discover Pass!
Expect your kayak trip on the Black River for this section to last about 4 hours. Bring a snack or lunch and enjoy nature on this challenging kayaking adventure near Olympia.
If you want to make it a weekend trip to Olympia to explore the incredible outdoor recreation, check out this article on downhill mountain biking near Olympia that allows e-bikes!
Want to learn about other fun things to do near Olympia? Visit the Experience Olympia website.
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