The Ridgefield Big Paddle commemorates the designation of the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail each year on National Trails Day.
We are excited to invite you to the Lake River waterfront for Big Paddle on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023!
Be part of the BIG Paddle on Lake River Saturday morning! Join a flotilla of kayaks, paddle boards and canoes on a five mile roundtrip paddle along Lake River to the Columbia and back to the Port of Ridgefield Waterfront. $5 BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) registration covers your entry to the guided paddle. There are limited seats available on two canoes led by Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership for $5. Use the link below to register for the Big Paddle.
Registration does NOT include a rental. Kayak, canoe or paddle board rentals must be arranged ahead of time on an individual basis. Alder Creek Kayak Ridgefield Location is conveniently located on Lake River. See the rental options for Big Paddle.
OR
Join the Big Paddle with a seat on a Dragon Boat for free! No experience needed, all equipment provided. Register here.
To celebrate National Trails Day, head on a group hike led by the Friends of the Refuge from the Port of Ridgefield through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Group hikes will take place at 10am and 1pm, no registration necessary. The Refuge will be fee free during Big Paddle.
From 11:30 – 1pm, paddle participants will experience the sights and sounds of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, visit historical sites like where Lewis & Clark landed, and enjoy a fun GUIDED PADDLE.
The guided paddle is $25 and includes kayak, paddles, and a life jacket. Reservations must be made through Alder Creek Kayak here.
To celebrate National Trails Day, head on a group hike led by the Friends of the Refuge from the Port of Ridgefield through the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Group hikes will take place at 10am and 1pm, no registration necessary. The Refuge will be fee free during Big Paddle.
Paddle Ridgefield’s big dragon boats during the Big Paddle event! No experience needed- come give dragon boating a try! All equipment is provided. One youth ages 6+ may accompany a paddling adult. Register for a free seat here!
Start the day off listening to Traveling Day Society drum circle as you get ready for your paddling adventure.
Get your heart pumping and body moving before the Big Paddle, with a warm-up routine presented by MKElevate!
Awaken the Ridgefield Dragon Boats and kick off the annual Big Paddle!
Hang out and play volleyball, cornhole, disc golf, and more on the waterfront!
Don’t want to worry about transporting your kayak or paddleboard to your vehicle between paddling and enjoying the waterfront activities? Or plan to get back out on the water? No problem! Take advantage of our free “Kayak Check” and drop off your kayak (open 11am – 2pm) and we will watch over your boat while you enjoy the beer garden, beach games, music, and food! When you are ready to head out, drive your car up to the station to load up!
Enjoy the live music on the waterfront! The One-Eyed Kats perform a variety of blues, R&B, and Rock n’ Roll dance music! You may remember them from Farm to Table and Sausage Fest in 2022!
16oz cans of craft beer from Ridgefield Craft Brewing available for purchase for attendees 21+.
Available beverages:
A collection of food trucks will be on site at the Waterfront!
Confirmed:
Find your way between the Ridgefield Waterfront and Downtown Ridgefield with the free and fun transportation of the hayride! Worry less about parking and enjoy the convenient ride and get both your shopping, paddling, and playing all in a days time!
Shop for vegetables, handmade goods and more from local vendors at DAVIS PARK across from the Ridgefield Community Library.
Vendor List to come!
Shop for used books and support the local library at the Friends of the Ridgefield Community Library Spring Used Book Sale. Paperbacks $3, Hardbacks $5, DVDs and Children’s Books $1.a
The first Big Paddle was June 2nd, 2012. Big Paddle is traditionally held on the first Saturday in June as part of National Trails Day.
The flotilla travels 2.5 miles North on Lake River, past the wildlife refuge, to the Columbia River and back to the Port of Ridgefield launch for a 5 mile round trip. This year, we are challenging you to complete a 5 mile round trip somewhere new along the Water Trail.
The Water Trail was established in 2012 and was the impetus for the first Ridgefield Big Paddle. The unique feature of a water trail is you can float along the trail, and you will not have changed that trail. It’s a sustainable form of use.
The 32 river miles in this water trail include:
Indigenous HistoryThere is rich history all along the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Water Trail. Since time immemorial Chinookan Peoples of the Lower Columbia River have called the land along the Columbia River home. The village of Cathlapotle, located on what is now the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, was one of the largest on the river. The village was excavated in 1990s, and a replica Plankhouse built on the Refuge as an education and interpretive center. Learn more about the archaeological site. Learn more about the Plankhouse.
Lower Columbia Estuary PartnershipThe Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership joins us at Big Paddle running the Big Canoe tours and bringing some great science and nature learning opportunities in the Paddlers Village. You can learn from the Estuary Partnership at anytime! Their website has a collection of activity videos to learn about science and nature in and around your home. Click here to check it out!
There is so much you can do to help protect our streams, rivers, and lakes!
There are numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing along the Lewis River to Vancouver Lake Trail. The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge is situated along Lake River at the Confluence with the Columbia and boasts. Learn more about the Habitat and Wildlife on the Refuge here.
This video, from Alder Creek Kayak, gives a little taste of the wildlife you may see while paddling along the water trail.
Appropriate, low-impact use of the water trail is the responsibility of all who use this natural resource and will ensure the waterways stay beautiful and healthy. Keep the following in mind while you travel:
Haven’t made your way into the world of paddling yet? Or maybe you want to brush up on your skills? Check out the below videos for some quick tips, or visit Paddling.com for even more expert advice!
230 Pioneer St. Ridgefield, WA 98642 | (360) 887-3557
city.mail@ridgefieldwa.us
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