Nearly everywhere we go in Washington there’s breathtaking natural beauty to admire! From our many beautiful lakes to the endless waterways, our state is abundant with perfect places for kayaking and fishing! But among the numerous places here in the Northwest, there’s something truly amazing about these 15 rivers:
- White River
Flickr / pictoscribe Originating on Mount Rainier from Emmons Glacier, this river flows for about 75 miles and is a haven for salmon and steelhead fishing.
- Spokane River
Flickr / edsuom This breathtaking tributary of the Columbia River is nearly 111 miles long, stretching from Post Falls Dam, Idaho to Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington.
- Nisqually River
Flickr / mountrainiernps
For nearly 81 miles this waterway flows through the west central region of our state, beginning from the Nisqually Glacier on the southern side of Mt. Rainier and emptying into the southern end of Puget Sound.
- Skykomish River
Flickr / bravenboer This river flows from the west side of the Central Cascades and is an ideal fishing spot for winter & summer steelhead as well as Pacific Salmon.
- Skagit River
Flickr / pfly Spanning 150 miles, this river spans from southwestern Canada into the northwestern part of our state and empties into Skagit Bay.
- Tolt River
Flickr / switchermark This waterway in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains is a great spot for trout fishing and is also an essential supply to Seattle Public Utility’s freshwater supply system!
- Willapa River
Flickr / by-ken You can fish for salmon and more at this 20-mile river along the coast! It begins in the Willapa Hills west of Chehalis and flows into the northwest end of Willapa Bay.
- Hoh River
Flickr / 21332504@N03 This 56-mile river on the Olympic Peninsula originates at the Hoh Glacier on Mount Olympus, flows west through the Olympic Mountains through foothills, and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
- Palouse River
Flickr / edsuom For 167 miles, this tributary of the Snake River flows through the picturesque Palouse area in the southeastern part of our state!
- Quillayute River
Flickr / pfly At only about 4 miles long, this short waterway on the Olympic Peninsula forms at the confluence of the Bogachiel, Calawah and Sol Duc Rivers and empties into the beautiful Pacific Ocean!
- Nooksack River
Flickr / 56509109@N04
This picturesque river originates by Mount Baker and travels for 75.2 miles before emptying into Bellingham Bay and the Pacific Ocean!
- Wenatchee River
Flickr / 125086674@N08 Beginning at Lake Wenatchee, this river flows southeast for 53 miles and empties into the Columbia River just north of Wenatchee.
- Skokomish River
Flickr / 79666107@N00 At 43 miles, this is the largest river that drains into the Hood Canal and serves as a perfect spot for salmon fishing in Mason County!
- Yakima River
Flickr / rs_butner Our state’s longest waterway travels for 214 miles through Easton, past Ellensburg and Yakima, and continues towards Richland where it flows into the Columbia River.
- Paradise River
Flickr / brewbooks This is a small and short, yet swift river located entirely inside Mount Rainier National Park most notable for its eight gorgeous waterfalls!
We have so many more amazing rivers here in Washington! What are some of your favorite waterways in our state?
Flickr / pictoscribe
Originating on Mount Rainier from Emmons Glacier, this river flows for about 75 miles and is a haven for salmon and steelhead fishing.
Flickr / edsuom
This breathtaking tributary of the Columbia River is nearly 111 miles long, stretching from Post Falls Dam, Idaho to Lake Roosevelt in Eastern Washington.
Flickr / mountrainiernps
For nearly 81 miles this waterway flows through the west central region of our state, beginning from the Nisqually Glacier on the southern side of Mt. Rainier and emptying into the southern end of Puget Sound.
Flickr / bravenboer
This river flows from the west side of the Central Cascades and is an ideal fishing spot for winter & summer steelhead as well as Pacific Salmon.
Flickr / pfly
Spanning 150 miles, this river spans from southwestern Canada into the northwestern part of our state and empties into Skagit Bay.
Flickr / switchermark
This waterway in the western foothills of the Cascade Mountains is a great spot for trout fishing and is also an essential supply to Seattle Public Utility’s freshwater supply system!
Flickr / by-ken
You can fish for salmon and more at this 20-mile river along the coast! It begins in the Willapa Hills west of Chehalis and flows into the northwest end of Willapa Bay.
Flickr / 21332504@N03
This 56-mile river on the Olympic Peninsula originates at the Hoh Glacier on Mount Olympus, flows west through the Olympic Mountains through foothills, and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Flickr / edsuom
For 167 miles, this tributary of the Snake River flows through the picturesque Palouse area in the southeastern part of our state!
Flickr / pfly
At only about 4 miles long, this short waterway on the Olympic Peninsula forms at the confluence of the Bogachiel, Calawah and Sol Duc Rivers and empties into the beautiful Pacific Ocean!
Flickr / 56509109@N04
This picturesque river originates by Mount Baker and travels for 75.2 miles before emptying into Bellingham Bay and the Pacific Ocean!
Flickr / 125086674@N08
Beginning at Lake Wenatchee, this river flows southeast for 53 miles and empties into the Columbia River just north of Wenatchee.
Flickr / 79666107@N00
At 43 miles, this is the largest river that drains into the Hood Canal and serves as a perfect spot for salmon fishing in Mason County!
Flickr / rs_butner
Our state’s longest waterway travels for 214 miles through Easton, past Ellensburg and Yakima, and continues towards Richland where it flows into the Columbia River.
Flickr / brewbooks
This is a small and short, yet swift river located entirely inside Mount Rainier National Park most notable for its eight gorgeous waterfalls!
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