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Skamokawa's Paddle Center and Estuary Program

© Jerri Brooker

Since my recent poll indicates folks want to hear more about places on, near or by water, I'm starting the second half of 2000 writing on places near rivers, lakes or the Pacific Ocean. The first place I'll take you is at Skamokawa, a small town which was the site of an Indian Village over 2,000 years ago, to talk about its local program for adventurous souls and nature lovers.

Skamokawa Paddle Center and Skamokawa Estuary Program in Southwest Washington, 90 miles from Olympia, Washington (WA), is at a National Historic District, Skamokawa, WA. It lies on the vast estuary of the Columbia River, "gateway to the best paddling on the Lower Columbia River," according to a booklet put out by the center.

It's part of the Skamokawa Town Center restoration in 1994, neighbor to two other restored historical buildings: the General Store and the Lott House. It encompasses an area that's the beginning of one's exploration of nearby islands, wildlife habitat and breathtakingly beautiful scenery.

There you can partake in environmental and/or history-based observations, participate in stewardship programs or do research in collaboration with the US Department of Fish and Wildlife, the WA State Lewis and Clark Trail Committee, the Nature Conservancy and the Audubon Society.

You may also just visit to enjoy the beauty and explore in rented kayaks or canoes. There are yoga/kayak programs, paddling clinics, and special-arrangement programs for paddling clubs and other groups if you want to learn; if you want to just take off and ponder a beautiful place, you may do that.

The center is within the Julia Butler Hansen Wildlife Refuge and Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge. There's a huge low freeboard dock, a small conference and social center, a general store and cafe there, along with the Skamokawa Inn and a Bed and Breakfast: everything for your needs.

Traverse marshes, islands, swamps, sloughs and open water to get the full experience of watching wildlife, seeing waterfalls, exploring vistas unknown to you, and observing nearby forests of 600-year-old trees. View a Sitka Spruce swamp, the best left on the river. Do it with a tour leader or alone.

The programs include kayak rental and equipment, and box lunches if needed (make arrangements ahead-of-time). You are invited to photograph and journal write to share with co-travelers if interested.

Some of the previous classes are listed below so you have an up-front idea of what you will find there:

A tour to see White-tailed deer.

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