Port of Willapa Harbor

A trail that stretches around Willapa Bay, touching some of the most beautiful spots on the shoreline and providing spectacular views of sandy beaches, dune grasslands, coastal pine forests, and wildlife at play. The Willapa Bay Water Trail  is one of the first two trails in Washington designed for kayaks, canoes and other non-motorized, beachable boats. Water trails offer unsurpassed views of Northwest scenery and wildlife while providing access to pullouts, campsites and other public amenities along the way.

Great article about the Willapa Bay Water Trail from the Seattle Post P.I.

Great Map of the access points to the Willapa Bay Water Trail

Willapa Bay Water Trail Access Points

• Tokeland Marina: boat ramp, tent sites, Tokeland Hotel and Restaurant. Paddle up the short Cedar River or into Willapa Bay.

• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WSDFW) boat ramp at the mouth of the North River: Paddlers can go 8-10 miles up this scenic river, or paddle 7 miles southeast up the Willapa River to South Bend.

• Boat ramp to the Willapa River on the west end of South Bend on U.S. Route 101: In South Bend adjacent to the Boondocks Cafe, you will find a small park, picnic area, toilet, mooring floats, and kayak launching. Five miles west of South Bend on U.S. Route 101 is Bruceport County Park with campsites.

• Access to the south and north forks of the Willapa River in the Raymond area: A waterfront committee is working to improve water access in Raymond, including a picnic area on a small island, and primitive campsites. Inquire at city hall for current information.

• Boat launch in the Bay Center basin at the mouth of the Palix River: There can be a lot of commercial boating in this area, so keep a sharp lookout. Campsites and RV facilities are nearby at Bush Pioneer County Park, operated by volunteers.

• Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife boat ramp on U.S. Route 101: Just south of the Bay Center turnoff. Access to the upper Palix River and miles of meandering through meadows rich with wildlife.

• Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters: provides boat ramp, toilet, maps, access to the Nasell River and the south end of Willapa Bay. Five primitive campsites on Long Island.

• Ilwaco Marina and Fort Canby State Park: provide boat launch and full campground in state park.

• Chinook County Park: Day use.

• Loomis Lake State park: in the middle of Long Beach, provides toilets, fishing and bird watching, no camping.

• The boat basin at Nahcotta (Port of Peninsula): provides boat launching, toilets, and showers.

• Leadbetter Point National Wildlife Refuge: is the end of the road on the Long Beach peninsula. There are many hiking trails, good shoreline boating at high tide, toilets, no camping, and beach access for boat launching (100 yard carry). Bay Center is 5 miles due east across Willapa Bay. Crossing should be done only with planning and care.