Paddle Oregon Presents: Back to Our River Roots

Back to Our River Roots is not your Paddle Oregon of years past. It’s a reimagined adventure—designed to cultivate deeper connections to the Willamette River through guided paddling, cultural storytelling, ecological exploration, and community celebration.

This four-day, three-night journey (June 25–28, 2026) braids adventure, education, and stewardship along one of Oregon’s most iconic natural corridors. Each day offers a variety of enriching experiences—from Indigenous storytelling and river-cooking demos, to nighttime wildlife hikes, live music, local food, and restoration stewardship tours.

Please note:

While this is a community event, this is not a beginner paddle. It is intended for participants with moving water experience. If you're new to paddling, you can still join this tour -after completing the free Learn to Paddle Your Willamette Water Trail series. Graduates of the Learn to Paddle 102 class will receive a 50% discount on the weekend registration rate for this year’s trip.