Kayaking the Lower Columbia River: Exploration and Discovery

An absolute must do trip, amazing views everywhere and awesome guides.

Skamokawa is a great location for kayaking. Sitka pines, blue herons, rock formations, and a multitude of flora and fauna make the sloughs and river fascinating to paddle.

Spectacular kayaking experience. Extremely knowledgeable, and personable guides. Beautiful and interesting country to paddle through.

I am so grateful for the guides, Kyleen and Andrew, who made this experience possible for me. They were able to outfit us, put us all into kayaks and get us all on the water and for 4 days. Amazing! So glad I did this trip!

I loved this Road Scholar trip and thoroughly enjoyed kayaking on the Lower Columbia - our group leaders were amazing individuals and greatly added to the overall success of this program.

More than a kayaking experience, although the kayaking is excellent - an immersion in another and unique world.

I am a beginner kayaker and had confidence in the excellent kayak guides for this trip. The Columbia River is wide and long and beautiful. I was disappointed with the accommodations that were advertised as a resort but were more like camping because there was no room service and we had to go to the general store for towels and drinks.

I learned so much about nature, history and culture of my own area (I live across the river from Skamokawa, Washington, where this program is held.) My arrival at Skamokawa felt like I had gone back in time to a simpler, quieter place, which proved relaxing and restful. I absolutely loved the kayaking trips. The guides watched the weather and tides and timed everything just right. I had kayaked in younger years and wasn't sure about still doing it but the guides coached and nurtured us until we gained confidence and ability. We saw so many wonderful birds: great blue herons, bald eagles, pelicans! Our guides were knowledgeable about every facet of the journeys and made everything educational, inspirational and fun. We learned about native plants, trees, shrubs, insects and more. This was my first Road Scholar program and I enjoyed the camaraderie of the group dynamics. I will certainly consider more Road Scholar trips because this one was fantastic.

Columbia River Kayaking with Road Scholar, June 30, 2024, was excellent. FIVE STAR RATING--NOT ONE! I’m fairly certain that Andrew, Kyleen, and Sebastian are superheroes hanging out in Skamokawa, posing as kayak river guides, waiting for their next superhero assignment. Andrew seems to be Superman, Kyleen Wonder Woman, and Sebastian a young Spider-Man. They perform miracles with their Road Scholar customers on the river during the day, getting them properly dressed, into and out of their kayaks, leading them to waterfalls, rivers, birds, river otters, ancient forests, and occasionally crossing paths with large ships. Then, at night, after the Road Scholars have been rolled out of their kayaks, the kayaks cleaned and put away, the superheroes entertain the Road Scholar group with songs of local lore and maybe even an aria thrown in. And the Road Scholar participants themselves are successful, knowledgeable, and fun retired superheroes, comfortable with themselves, each other, and all eager to enjoy life.

This was a fantastic trip especially for people like me who had not kayaked before. All 3 guides were very knowledgeable and I felt safe. They had an eye on us all the time and showed us different paddle techniques for various situations we got into. The lodging and the food were good as well. I also liked the evening presentations, from history to birding to expedition and 2 music evenings. Everything was great.

Out of the 11 RS programs I’ve attended, this is one of my favorites!

This was a fabulous trip with amazing guides, Andrew and Kyleen. The kayaking was amazing as were all the other activities. Wholeheartedly recommend!

this was a wonderful experience in a beautiful area of the country. The guides were knowledgeable and helpful. It is not a strenuous trip and it is right to say no paddling experience necessary. If you are looking for strenuous workouts and wild water this is not it.

An exhilarating program with a broad variety of activities that can be enjoyed if the weather complicates matters. Even timid participants developed confidence and mastery of the kayaking - which was a delight! The guides were friendly, incredibly knowledgeable, and generous in how they shared their passion and knowledge with our group. The lodging and food were just right. A wonderful program in every way.

This is simply the best RS program that I've attended. Kyleen and Andrew ARE the program with nature taking a starring role. Shannon is an excellent host and paddler. Logan kept us fed with excellent meals and adjusted to varying dietary needs. Every part of the program - the variety of paddling, the music, history and nature presentations are the reasons this is simply the best. The program is so good that this was my second time for this trip. The outfitters supplied excellent gear along with paddling instruction. Everyone involved was so kind, patient, knowledgeable, and personable.

This is another unique Roadscholar experience. I've never kayaked on a river system like the Columbia and was so impressed at the level of knowledge and work required to offer a safe, enjoyable program.... Taking into account probable weather, phases of the moon, and tidal charts!!!!! The Skamokawa Lodge and dining at the Duck Inn were frosting on the cake

I cannot express fully my enjoyment with this program as it would be too full of !!. I loved the kayak trips and the educational experience, but I also wish to give a shot out to Shannon who was so accommodating, and to the cook at Duck Inn ( I never knew the name ) for the wonderful meals.

This is a unique, beautiful and well developed Kayaking Program led by a team of knowledgeable River Guides that put safety first. The memorable trip included discussions of local history, the local environment, storytelling and music. There was also an upbeat, friendly and welcoming manner to every aspect of support, including staff at the lodge and restaurant. This is an interesting area of the country. Don't hesitate to add a couple of days to drive out to "Cape Disappointment" and enjoy the surrounding area.

I encourage anyone considering this trip to Book It. The leaders/guides were exceptionally informed and supportive to each participant, no matter our level of kayaking experience. They were patient and took the appropriate amount of time to explain safety and paddling techniques. Each day we got into our kayaks and were on the water for a very fun and awe inspiring nature experience. The subject matter expertise was phenomenal: from kayaking, to birding and local fauna, to the history of the region. It is located in the very small town Skamockawa which has historical significance and character. The evening programs were informative and entertaining. If you love learning and nature, you will enjoy this program.

Skamokawa Resort is right on Hwy 4. It was very noisy and the blinds did not fit the windows. The local restaurant, Duck Inn, had dreadful food. I think Road Scholar should review these concerns and put pressure on the resort and restaurant to improve conditions. I was too tired to enjoy my active trip and left the program early so I could get some sleep. I was not the only attendee to feel this way.

My first trip with Road Scholar, the Columbia River Kayaking in Skamokawa, was absolutely fantastic. The guides were spectacular! And, it was so nice to meet like minded people while learning new things. I can't wait to do another trip with Road Scholar.

Five stars! As a novice kayaker, I had some trepidation about this program. However, I left wanting to learn and do more. This was definitely due to the expert leadership of Andrew Emlen and support provided by his team - Wren and Carson. The lively lectures, extraordinary musical performances, nature walk, and field trip to the local one room school house just added to an already great program. Not one to miss!

This is a wonderful trip. You get to kayak in the Columbia river and the setting is beautiful. You do need to be in good physical condition and previous kayaking experience makes a big difference. You're using Ocean kayaks so this is different from kayaking on lakes or rivers. The leaders are great, and they will provide excellent assistance to get you going!

All the stars! Don't miss an opportunity to book this wonderful trip. It's possible that 2024 will be the last year under the current leadership of Andrew Emlen and his team. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Beautiful setting, interesting history, great informational programs in the evening, and a knowledgeable and caring staff. You will love the Skamokawa Swamp Opera!

Kayaking every day and a hot shower and comfy bed at night is the best! Add in the lovely watery channels of the Columbia River estuary and wonderful local live music two nights, and staying in a sweet, funky old hotel right on the water, and the whole thing is delightful. A field trip to walk the paths on wooded acreage in the Skamokawa Valley is beautiful. Eating on an outside balcony overlooking the water at the nearby Duck Inn made it both lovely and Covid safe. The Columbia River Kayaking staff are skilled, have a very good variety of kayaks and gear, and their accessibility and helpfulness make kayaking safe and enjoyable even for those who haven't yet tried it. The Skamokawa area has a special and unique mellow, friendly vibe. There's also tons of info on Columbia River history given.

This is a superb kayaking experience in a remote but easily accessible location. The guides are warm, welcoming, very well-educated, informative, and extremely capable. The program leader carefully plans out the kayak routes to accommodate the tides and wind conditions. They demonstrate rescue techniques, including "the roll". Each of the three guides is well-versed in the local natural science and Lewis & Clark history. One guide has kayaked solo from Alaska to Astoria. Another owns a small old-growth forest that he invites the group to for nature discussions. And to top it off, three of the guides sing in a four-person musical group (Skamokawa Swamp Opera) whose original songs are played on the radio and Spotify; they perform for the Road Scholar group in the evening. They are really good. The peace and beauty of the locale and the resort is captivating...so much so that I returned for a second Road Scholar trip there with a friend. And because of the tides, the trip routes were different than the first time, and just as exciting, with eagles and ospreys fighting each other for territory!

The Lower Columbia River is fascinating. The Road Scholar leaders are extremely well informed.

This program had something for everyone. Along with kayaking and learning about the Columbia River our guides introduced us to the local ecosystem and cultures. We learned about people, plants, animals, and birds. We learned about the history and current life along the river. The kayaking each day was timed with the tides and weather and never felt dangerous or over taxing.

Great local history, nature learning, & kayaking experiences, plus fun concerts in the evening by the local “Swamp Opera” musicians! Previous kayaking experience is helpful & should be required. One caveat: the hotel is not for folks w/a spider phobia. It is old, and being in a rural, forested area, has spiders who eat insects. None of the spiders here are dangerous to humans, but they make themselves at home in the wooden buildings. The good thing is that there are NO mosquitoes!

I highly recommend the Columbia River Kayaking program through Road Scholar. The guides were excellent and the equipment top notch. Accommodations were great too.

This was a fantastic trip! It was challenging for me, but the trip guides (Kyleen and Wren) instilled confidence and provided just the right level of support needed. Kyleen Austin (leader/owner) is an amazing woman with great strength (physical and otherwise), intelligence, and compassion. She's also quite an accomplished singer/musician. She, along with Wren, Andrew and Greg (?) provided really enjoyable evening entertainment. I learned a lot and enjoyed every minute. This is such a beautiful area with so much to see. Accommodations were comfortable. Best of all, it was a pleasure to share this experience with other Road Scholars.

Fantastic program, great kayaking excursions lead by leader who does great job explaining history of the area as well as local wildlife.

Wow! What a trip! The town of Skamokawa is as far from Orange County, CA as possible, not physically but in pace and scenery. I loved it! Andrew, the owner of the kayaking company, made the trip come alive with his knowledge of kayaking, water conditions and local history. His band at night was a joy to listen to as they sang songs about the local area. I highly recommend this wonderful Road Scholar trip!

This was an excellent and very enjoyable program. The weather was perfect, the location ideal, and just the right amount of time spent paddling our kayaks. Most of our group of 14 had prior kayaking experience, but with the excellence and attentiveness of our instructors I have no hesitance in recommending this program to those without prior kayaking experience. Highly recommended.

This kayaking on the Columbia trip exceeded our expectations!! I would not hesitate to recommend this program to anyone. It was fantastic!!

Having first started kayaking in May 2021 in North Carolina, I was somewhat nervous about going to an entirely different kayaking environment. My concerns were put to rest! The kayaks are top quality. The guides are experts and are infinitely patient instructors. The outings were perfectly varied in length and level of exertion. This program was great fun as well as educational.

Had a wonderful week learning about and exploring a little-known part of the state. The kayak trips were great--just the right length and through beautiful waterways. The evening programs (both lectures and musical evenings) really added to the experience.

I came for the kayaking; I fell in love with the music, peoples and history.

Kayaking on the Lower Columbia River is an outstanding program. It was stimulating physically, intellectually and emotionally. I came away from the program with a deeper appreciation for the place and people of the the lower Columbia River area.

Kayak adventure was awesome. Summer on lower Columbia River is gorgeous. Excellent leaders/instructors. Even if you’ve never kayaked before you will have a great time and learn a lot!

I would highly recommend this wonderful program. Our three guides, Andrew, Kyleen, and Chad, ensured that everyone was able to safely enjoy kayaking on the beautiful Columbia River. Their in-the-water demonstration of rolls and rescue techniques the first day was amazing. (Participants don't have to roll their kayaks.) They also shared their deep knowledge of local flora, fauna, geology, and history--as well as their impressive musical talents. This was our first Road Scholar program, and it has set a high bar.

The Columbia River kayaking trip was a wonderful adventure. The activities on and off the water were guided flawlessly. The guides, in addition to their kayaking experience and knowledge of the history of the area, are gifted musicians that entertained us with their songs on two of the evenings. A memorable trip.

Our guides, Andrew, Kyleen & Wren were fantastic. Loved all of the trip, hope to do it again. Perhaps make accommodations a little clearer as well as extras provided by kayak company so don't pack them. Dry bags, spray jackets, washer/dryer, own rooms in 3 story condos, kitchen facility. Loved the Lewis & Clark journals and evening programs. Could improve on the dinners: asperges every night, salads at dinner not so fresh. Lunches were great. 3 days after trip 5 cases of Covid known so far. Seems weird when it was all outdoors and we were pretty isolated with each other for 5 days, except the guides. Will this ever end !!

The Kayaking on the Columbia River program is a good introduction for first-time kayakers but will also be enjoyed by those with experience. Fantastic leaders and a gorgeous environment enhanced the experience. I can't wait to go back!

I learned so much about the history of the area which is really a history of our country. I experienced kayaking on the Columbia River which I had never dreamed that I would. Plus, the guides were so helpful and fun!

This was a wonderful experience for a seasoned or new kayaker filled with Hhistory of Lewis and Clark, Skamokawa, Washington, and the logging and salmon industries. It was well balanced with adventure, educational lectures, and entertainment opportunities. The guides were exceptional and multi-talented. If you enjoy being outside, local history, natural history, and local music, you will love this trip.

Great trip very professional but fun

Andrew and Levi, our group leaders, were extremely competent at kayaking safety issues. This program is very educational, both from the Lewis and Clark historical aspect as well as the fauna and flora of the area. Though I have kayaked for 24 years, both sea kayaking and whitewater kayaking, I learned a good deal of useful new information regarding technique and safety. The program includes evening entertainment that all in our group loved.

One of the best kayaking trips I ever been on. The guides were stellar. Not only were they experienced kayakers who looked out for our safety but also knowledgeable about the history and terrain of the area. To top it off Andrew and Kyleen entertained us with their home town music which was delightful. The food could use some improvement but overall the restaurant did a good job. I highly recommend this trip for first time and experienced kayakers. You won't be disappointed.

This program is a five-star winner. It features excellent, mature, knowledgeable guides who provide a safe and adventuresome sea kayaking program. Throw in local some stories of the Columbia River, salmon, the indigenous people, Lewis & Clark's journey through the area, current issues, evening music, excellent food, and good company for a wonderful week of kayaking and enjoying the ambiance of on the lower Columbia.

I loved everything about this trip! Andrew, Kyleen and Chad are amazing and accomplished people, leaders and teachers. They worked so hard to make us feel safe, comfortable and confident in our kayaking skills. Without their expertise our kayaking adventures on the Columbia would not have been possible. I learned so much and had so much fun!!! The evening programs were amazing too. The lectures and musical entertainment were the best ever! I stayed in a five-bedroom condo overlooking the Columbia with my friend Judy and two other delightful women. So luxurious! The food was always ready and waiting for us in the gorgeous patio of the Duck Inn! Early morning coffee in the conference room was an extra treat along with the wine served at dinner. The truly delicious homecooked meals three time a day never disappointed unless once in a while they weren't quite warm enough! Great idea to let us choose what we wanted for our lunches on a daily basis. I really enjoyed our picnics! Having the well-stocked general store right there was a great convenience. The clerks and staff at the resort were all so friendly and helpful especially Chris! The people make the trip and what a job they all did! It couldn't have been better!

This was a fun program led by talented staff. There is a surprising amount of things to do in this out of the way place.

This program is a great way to be close to the mouth of the Columbia River and its estuaries with enjoyable people without great strain. I had a feeling of accomplishment at the end of each kayaking day. The 2 hikes gave us a sense of the northwest forest and its islands.

This is an outstanding program. The place and the guides are among the best I've experienced.

This program was fun and interesting. Not to be missed: the two evenings of music presented by the Skamokawa Swamp Opera.

Excellent program! Magical. Summer camp for seniors. The leaders - Andrew and Kyleen with assistance from Chad - did a marvelous job. Great job of scheduling activities based on challenging weather conditions. They challenged us as much as we could handle and provided alternatives as needed. Fun and interesting evening activities. Very tasty meals. Clean, comfortable accommodations.

Excellent leadership in a historic location with quality food,lodging and challenging kayaking. Our group included novices and experienced kayakers and all were welcomed and supported. Fantastic program!

We enjoyed our group leaders, they were so knowledgeable about the area including history, flora and fauna, Lewis and Clark besides being excellent kayak instructors, singers and musicians. They made this trip special.

This is a very fun and educational program. The leaders really made the trip worthwhile. This is a lovely little corner of the world to explore and they made it easy.

This Kayaking program sounded more challenging than I found it actually to be. I am happy to know our instructors were able to assess the abilities of all participants and assist in making sure everyone LOVED the experiences. It was 30 some years since I stepped into a kayak or canoe, but I grew up on, in and around water sports which the Leaders could tell and challenged me just enough to feel real accomplishment! Great fun.

This Road Scholar trip, hosted by Columbia River Kayaking, was so much fun. The little town of Skamokawa was the perfect location for jumping into learning about Lewis and Clark’s final push to the Pacific Ocean. The group leaders shared the history of this lovely place and vivid details about the Corp of Discovery’s time here. The kayaking was a blast, the food excellent, the Inn quaint and comfortable, and the hosts absolutely outstanding…and talented. I would highly recommend this Road Scholar Adventure!

Paddling on the Lower Columbia River with Columbia River Kayaking introduced us to a beautiful place. We learned to spot birds and plants as well as the geology along the river. We learned about paddling in wind and currents and tide. The camaraderie was great in the group. Safety was a paramount cioncern at all times.

Absolutely everything was wonderful. The scenery, organization that went into the trip. The requirement for vaccines, the care that the guides took with us - all was well done. They did as much as they could to keep us safe. And then to discover our guides (besides being incredible well informed on birds, the history and the geography) were both talented musicians was frosting on the cake. I'd love to do another trip with Kyleen and Andrew.

This program is outstanding! We were interested in the history related to Lewis and Clark, but also learned a great deal about geology on this trip as well. The guides were knowledgeable and extremely engaging and entertaining. The accommodations were spare but clean and well-located. As a novice kayaker, I felt safe and I learned a lot during the week.

Wonderful trip! Expert guides. Liked accommodations.

Wonderful time on the water. Inspiring immersion into the natural and human history of a beautiful place. Evening music two nights that cracks your heart open. Personable, attentive, funny, skillful guides. Love this trip so much I have done it twice, learning new things each time.

This active program is sited on the beautiful Columbia River. The tour leaders are kind, knowledgeable and fun to be with. You'll see many birds (eagles, osprey, vultures, pelican ++), maybe river otters and beavers too, paddle through interesting geological features, and follow the path of Lewis and Clark. Highly recommended!

This was amazing. Andrew is the BEST, and his staff (Levi, Amber, Beth) is just terrific. And a huge shout-out to Logan and the Duck Inn for the food. The guidance was extremely informative and entertaining. I'd recommend this trip to anyone who is comfortable in a sea kayak.

If you are a Lewis and Clark fan, you need to do this Program.

The kayaking was fun and a good challenge. However, it is the guides that really make this a special experience. Kyleen, Andrew and Asia are highly knowledgeable about flora & fauna and are just plan kind folks. Not to mention that A & K are great musicians. Probably my two favorite activities were going on the walk at the coast and experiencing a feeling for the Lewis & Clark expedition, and the two evenings of music. Fabulous! Road Scholar knows how to select their program guides. Also, as usual my fellow travelers were a wonderful bunch. Bravo!

This program in Skamokawa was fantastic. Such an interesting mix of activities: kayaking in an assortment of kayaks, hiking, history, musical performances, excellent food. The program has been fine-tuned over many years of offering the week; it gave us such a breadth of exposure to the wildlife, culture and history of the area over time. Andrew was a delightful leader and went out of his way to accommodate all abilities.