If you live in the Pacific Northwest and own a stand-up paddle board (SUP), then chances are you’re already familiar with the beautiful biomes of this remarkable region. At the same time, though, how well do you really know them? For example, do you know the best places to go paddle boarding in the Portland area? Keep on reading to learn all about our favorite SUP spots in Portland and surrounding areas!
Cathedral Park
First on our list, Cathedral Park, is one of the most historic SUP places in all of Portland! This well-traveled destination was one of the original landing spots of Lewis and Clark in their legendary expedition. Additionally, Native American tribes used it as a fishing and camping site long, long ago. To this day, Cathedral Park is still one of the best outdoor locations in the Portland area.
Clackamette Park & Cove
While we love many parts of this beautiful park, nothing compares to the Clackamette Cove Trail. Providing direct access to the river, this lovely trail leads to the way to a wonderful world for all your water sports activities. Please note, however, that you’ll definitely want to bring all of your gear here, as rental shops are hard to come by in this particular area.

George Rogers Park
One of the safest spots for an SUP session, George Rogers Park is home to more than 25 acres of land and water. With access to the Willamette River, as well as several soccer and baseball fields, this is an ideal setting for water sports, land sports, and just about anything else.

Henry Hagg Lake
An artificial lake that doubles as a reservoir, Henry Hagg Lake is one of the most popular SUP destinations in the Portland area, especially during summer. Just 35 miles west of downtown Portland, this is also one of the shortest trips for many SUP enthusiasts. With all of that in mind, this is an excellent spot for a loud, fun, and crazy weekend on the water.
Estacada Lake at Timber Park
For those in search of something a bit more peaceful, we recommend Estacada Lake at Timber Park. This tranquil slice of paradise is a perfect place for a peaceful, calm, and pleasant paddling experience.

The Columbia River Gorge (The Gorge)
Last but certainly not least, one of the most legendary landscapes in the USA, The Columbia River Gorge—also known as The Gorge—is absolutely gorgeous. Genuinely picturesque, beautifully breathtaking, and simply unparalleled, countless paddle boarders have traveled far and wide to take their SUP into the glory of The Gorge. Or, if you don’t own a SUP, you can conveniently rent one from any of the many shops in the area. Either way, we can’t recommend The Gorge enough.
Conclusion
Now that you know the best places to go paddle boarding in the Portland area, get out there and have some fun! Or, if you need some new gear before you set sail, check out our available inventory. We have state-of-the-art SUPs, top-tier accessories, and so much more! If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Atoll Boards. We would be more than happy to help you in any way we can. We hope to hear from you sometime soon!