Willamette River

August 20-22, 2026

(Thursday - Saturday)

Join OOPS for a three-day, two-night paddle down a beautiful stretch of the Willamette River from Albany to Keizer. We’ll paddle ~15 miles a day with the current and camp along the river (at Luckiamute and Independence). 

You’ll need to bring your own food, water, and shelter (and have it all fit in your kayak!). Please-test your packing plan before Thursday morning. Do you have everything you need? 

There is no plan to return equipment to your car from the launch site or either campground. There is no sag-wagon and there is no equipment raft. There is no storage at Bryant park. Whatever you bring on the shuttle from Keizer Landing will have to fit in your boat and will go with you for the entire trip. Again - test your packing plan before Thursday, August 21st.

Equipment and Food

There was an excellent discussion of what you will need for kayak camping. Look for it on the listserve.

Luckimute does not have a water supply, so plan to pack at least one gallon per person per day of fresh water. 

Schedule

Thursday, August 20
We’ll meet Thursday morning at the take-out (Keizer Rapids Landing), leave our cars and be shuttled with our boats and gear to the put-in (Bryant Park in Albany). 

Watch for an email 1 week before launch for the complete shuttle plan for Thursday morning. This plan will include where you should be, what you should be doing, and when you should be doing it. Please - follow the plan! Communicate with Admiral or Event Manager asap if there is a problem with it.

From Bryant Park, we’ll paddle down-river to Luckimute Landing State Natural Area, camping on the Willamette River across from the confluence with the Santiam River. 

Friday, August 21

Friday morning we’ll depart Luckimute and head downriver, stopping for lunch on a gravel bar. Then we will paddle to, and camp, at Riverview Park in Independence, Oregon.

We'll enjoy the festival happening that evening (quiet time at 10pm), as well as food carts and pubs. You can also cook your own dinner. Water refills, showers, and food will be available in Independence.

Your Volunteer Staff:

Event Manager:  Tori Wieldt, ‭(415) 519-0860‬, seashanty88@gmail.com

Trip Admiral:  Mark Niemann-Ross, (503) 860-2183, mark@niemannross.com

Assistant Event Manager: Lynn Lindgren, ‭(503) 984-8730‬, lindschr@msn.com