Laurel Brauns

For seasoned sea kayakers, paddling the Inside Passage, from Bellingham, Wash. to Muir Glacier in the East Arm of Glacier Bay, Alaska, holds the same mystique as backpacking the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trail for backpackers. And it takes about just as long.
For those who can’t miss three or four months of work at a time, but would still like to experience this journey, the good news is you can do it in about two weeks by riding the Alaska Marine Highway Ferry system for three days and enjoying another seven days paddling around Glacier Bay, an ever-changing body of water that is considered one of the world’s top kayaking destinations.

The McKenzie River is running higher than usual for this time of year, making it the perfect day trip for those looking for a manageable whitewater adventure that is an easy drive from Bend. The scenery is lush and green with clear aqua blue waters, and there are a number of different runs for varying ability levels.

It is safe to say that Bend's paddling community is one of the strongest and most diverse in the country. From the hordes of stand-up paddleboarders, to the expert raft guides, to the whitewater kayakers making their daily runs down Meadow Camp, Bend loves to paddle!
This summer there are plenty of opportunities to get more involved and improve your paddling skills.