Packrafting Washington: An Adventurer’s Ideal Destination

  • 8 min. read
Packrafting on one of the many world-class alpine lakes in Washington. Photo credits: Cynthia Wong (IG: @cynhw)

Imagine an outdoor recreation discipline that has it all. The adrenaline rush of charging down raging whitewater, the unrivaled serenity of having an alpine lake all to yourself, and the unrestricted creative pursuit of being able to conjure up any land and water adventure on a map. That’s packrafting—one of the fastest-growing outdoor sports in Washington, and for good reason.

I’ll never forget my first time in a packraft. It was in the middle of Rainy Lake just outside of North Cascades National Park. In the center of the alpine lake, I found myself at a viewpoint few had ever experienced—a place I once thought was inaccessible. Surrounded by turquoise waters and encircled by towering peaks with waterfalls cascading down their sides, I knew there was no going back. It hit me that I had just unlocked an entirely new way of experiencing Washington’s wilderness. And I was hooked.

But packrafting in Washington isn’t just about accessing stunning alpine lakes—it’s about the endless adventure opportunities that come with pairing any combination of land and water travel in one of the most diverse and exciting states for outdoor recreation in the country.

Packrafting is quickly becoming a favorite among outdoor adventurers across the United States, and Washington is one of the states at the forefront of this trend. From exhilarating whitewater rivers like the Skykomish to astounding alpine waters like Snow Lake, Washington offers a playground for packrafters of all skill levels. In a world where experienced outdoor enthusiasts are always seeking their next big adventure, packrafting in Washington provides a unique combination of freedom, versatility, and accessibility to remote areas.

As the Owner and Lead Guide / Instructor of the only dedicated packrafting company in Washington, and a licensed American Canoe Association Level 4 Packraft Instructor, I’ve spent years guiding trips and helping others experience the transformative power of packrafting. I’m grateful that my experience in Washington’s rivers, lakes, and mountains allows me to offer insights and tips on the best places and ways to enjoy packrafting in Washington.

This post is for outdoor enthusiasts who are curious about packrafting in Washington, whether you’re completely new to the sport, heard about it from your peers, saw packrafters out in the wild, or have already dipped your toes in the water with the sport. It’s for anyone who loves adventure, enjoys exploring the natural beauty of Washington, and is looking for a new way to experience the outdoors.

In this post, I’ll cover why Washington is one of the best places in the world for packrafting, highlighting five key factors:

  • Regionality
  • Diversity
  • Multi-Sport Opportunities
  • Alpine Lakes
  • Proximity

By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of why Washington packrafting offers a lifetime of adventure, whether you’re into whitewater thrills or scenic paddling.

Once you finish reading, you’ll know exactly why Washington is a packrafting paradise. You’ll learn about some of the best Washington packrafting spots, how the state’s geography creates a unique playground for this sport, and how you can combine packrafting with other outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, and biking. Most importantly, you’ll walk away inspired to plan your next packrafting adventure in Washington!

The Regionality of Packrafting in Washington

See the driving times from Seattle to many of the many amazing packrafting locations surrounding Washington.

Before even talking about Washington itself as a packrafting destination, one of the things that makes this state so amazing is all the truly world-class packrafting opportunities around it. Washington is nestled in the heart of an ideal packrafting region. The state is surrounded by bucket list destinations that are easily accessible for weekend trips or quick micro-expeditions.

British Columbia (BC): to the north, you have Canada’s British Columbia, known for its world-class mountain ranges (the Coast and Canadian Rocky Mountains) and wild rivers like the Pitt River that are perfect for short to extended multi-day packrafting expeditions. 

Idaho: To the east of the state, Idaho offers unrivaled packrafting opportunities on some of the best multi-day whitewater in the US. The state has famous rivers like the Middle and Main Fork of the Salmon River, and the Hells Canyon section of the Snake River. And this is without even mentioning Idaho’s breathtaking alpine lakes in the Sawtooth Wilderness.

Oregon: Heading south from Washington, Oregon keeps pace with Idaho’s elite status, adding more iconic multi-day whitewater rivers like the Rogue, Owyhee, and Grand Ronde. Plus, there’s the packrafting haven of the Eagle Cap Wilderness located in the northeastern part of the state.

Montana: And of course there’s also Montana with its prized Glacier Nation Park. A true packrafting mecca and of one my personal favorite packrafting locations, Glacier National Park is also only a several hour’s drive (or even a train ride) away from Washington.

So as you can see, just by using Washington as a basecamp to venture to its neighboring states or provinces, you’re already have access to some of the best packrafting adventures in North America.

Diversity of Packrafting Opportunities

Now onto Washington itself… buckle up!

Few places in the world offer the diversity of packrafting opportunities that Washington does. Whether you’re looking for a serene paddle on a pristine alpine lake or an adrenaline-pumping whitewater run–or anything in-between–Washington has it all.

Just to name a few amazing attributes about the state, Washington boasts over 700 alpine lakes, countless jaw-dropping whitewater rivers, and innumerable unique coastal paddling options. All in a single weekend, you can packraft along the wild coastline of the San Juan Islands, paddle the urban waters of Lake Union in Seattle, explore a world-class alpine lake off of I-90, and then take on the Class IV rapids of the Skykomish River all in time to be back at work by Monday morning. This variety means that no matter what kind of packrafting adventure you’re seeking, Washington’s diverse landscapes can deliver.

  • Whitewater Packrafting: The White Salmon River is one of the best places in the US for whitewater packrafting. With non-stop rapids, towering backdrops of Mount Adams and Mount Hood, a Class V waterfall, and breathtaking canyons, you might just find yourself moving to White Salmon.
  • Flatwater Paddling: Grand and scenic large freshwater lakes such as Baker Lake, Lake Crescent, and Lake Diablo (to name only a few) provide unparalleled views of the states volcanic peaks and national parks. 
  • Urban Paddling: Lake Union in Seattle offers a unique packrafting experience in an urban setting, complete with views of the city skyline and the Olympic Mountains. And in my opinion, there’s no better way to experience the Fourth of July!
  • Coastal Paddling: Explore the intercoastal waters of Puget Sound or the serene, wildlife-rich San Juan Islands, where you might even spot whales while paddling!

Multi-Sport Opportunities

What truly sets packrafting apart from other paddling sports is its versatility. It’s not just paddling, it’s paddling and backpacking, or paddling and biking, or paddling and mountaineering, etc. In Washington, you can easily combine packrafting with a wide range of other outdoor activities, making for endless multi-sport adventure possibilities. This is one of the reasons, as an adventure enthusiast, I was so drawn toward this sport.

Often times, we look at a map and we see land (fair game) and water (off-limits), or vice versa. Yet the beauty of packrafting is that it opens the door of possibility to combine the two. It allows outdoor enthusiasts to see maps with an entirely new set of eyes. Now you can combine any land and water adventure that your mind can think of. For this reason alone, it’s an extremely creative and imaginative pursuit as well and even pioneering it’s own discipline: landscape travel!

Picture backpacking to a remote alpine lake and paddling across it to attempt a new alternate summit route of a nearby towering peak. Or imagine a bikepacking trip in Olympic National Park where you peddle across the Spruce Railroad Trail and then paddle back across Lake Crescent with your bike aboard.

Washington has ample volcanoes, infinite peaks, unlimited trials, abundant water, and countless bike routes. The state has renowned backpacking, mountaineering, scrambling, biking and kayaking (to name a few). And now, with packrafting, you can combine them. 

The combination of multi-sport packrafting in Washington with hiking, backpacking, biking,  mountaineering, and even skiing  allows you to create adventures limited only by your imagination.

Alpine Lakes: A Crown Jewel of Washington

Now if you could highlight just one of Washington’s features above the rest, it might just be it’s alpine lakes. On a global level, Washington stacks up among the best when it comes to alpine lakes. Places like Colchuck Lake are truly some of the most stunning alpine lakes in the world, and packrafting offers a unique and unparalleled way to experience these natural wonders.

From the popular Snow Lake to the turquoise waters of Blanca Lake, Washington’s alpine lakes are set against the backdrops of towering peaks, often with cascading waterfalls or breathtaking landscapes. Many outdoor enthusiasts will experience these places just from the shore, but packrafting enables adventurers to venture out and truly explore these unrivaled backcountry gems. And because everyone else is on the shore, once you paddle away from the crowds, you often have the entire alpine lake to yourself!

A peaceful and meditative a experience, when combined with the challenge of hiking to reach these remote locations, it’s an adventure like no other.

Proximity: Weekend Packrafting Opportunities

Now up until this point, other places in the world could compete with Washington’s packrafting scene. Yet, one of the best things about Washington–that separates it from other packrafting locations in the world–is how close everything is. Whether you’re based in Seattle, Bellingham, Leavenworth, or somewhere in between, world-class packrafting adventures are all only a short drive away.

All within a few hour’s drive of the state’s metro area in Seattle, you can access:

This level of accessibility is rare. In Alaska, you often need a bush plane. In places like Patagonia or New Zealand, packrafting adventures can require days of travel. But in Washington, spontaneous after-work paddles, weekend trips, and even week-long adventures are all within easy reach.

This proximity allows Washingtonians to fully embrace the packrafting lifestyle without needing to travel far or frequently commit to extended days off. Washington packrafters can tally many incredible packrafting experiences, all without using up any PTO days or breaking the bank on travel expenses.

Whether you’re heading out for a quick paddle after work or planning a longer expedition, Washington’s packrafting spots are right within reach.

Top Washington Packrafting Spots

  • White Salmon River – renowned Class II-V whitewater
  • Lake Crescent –  paddle within a National Park
  • Colchuck Lake – breathtaking alpine lake paddling
  • Lake Union – a unique urban paddling experience in the heart of Seattle
  • San Juan Islands – world-famous paddling with amazing wildlife

Why Washington is a Packrafting Paradise

As packrafting continues to grow in popularity as key influencers like Darwin onthetrail and Miranda in the Wild!! rave about it, Washington State is quickly becoming one of the top destinations for this sport. With its diverse landscapes, unique alpine lakes, endless multi-sport opportunities, and proximity to some of the best paddling spots in the world, it’s no wonder that more and more adventurers are flocking to Washington with their packrafts.

I hope this post has inspired you to consider Washington as your next packrafting destination. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful paddle or an adrenaline-fueled whitewater adventure, Washington’s unique combination of mountains, lakes, and rivers offers a lifetime of packrafting opportunities!

Looking to Take Next Steps?

Are you new to packrafting or looking to safely expand your skillset in the sport? If so, check out the following ways to begin or level-up your packrafting journey to join the next adventure evolution of Washington.

    • Packrafting Rentals
      • Have an alpine lake or trip in mind? Rent our packrafts and make your advneutre a reality. we provide all accessories at an affordable rate to get your advnture in motion!
    • Packrafting Courses
      • Looking to learn the rope of packrafting or take on add intermediate whitewater to your packrafting life? Sign up for our Intro to Packrafting or Whitewater Packrafting courses.
    • Packrafting Tours
      • Stoked to experience alpine lake packrafting, but just want to take it all in?sign up for ourone-of-a-kind Alpine Lake Packrafting Day Tour or Overnight Tour and experince the a gem of Washington packrafting

And if you enjoyed this post, please share it with fellow adventurers, follow Optimum Adventures for more outdoor content, or sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on all things packrafting and beyond.

About the Author

Adam Jones

Based in Seattle, Adam is the Owner and Lead Guide/Instructor at Optimum Adventures. He is one of the few ACA Level 4 Packraft Instructors in the country and holds numerous additional certifications that reflect his commitment to safety and excellence in outdoor recreation. A passionate outdoor enthusiast, he strives to be well-rounded in his pursuits, with packrafting, backpacking, and adventure travel at the forefront. Driven by an incessant desire for self-improvement, he aims to share his love for adventure with others.

Certifications: ACA Level 4 Packraft Instructor, ACA Swiftwater Rescue, Wilderness First Responder, CPR, Leave No Trace Trainer, PADI Freediver

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