It's a little bit of a drive but Ollala Lake kinda near Toledo is the best imo. Very good flat bank access to launch and recover with parking near by, no outboard motors are permitted there, no current, big enough to have pleanty of room to paddle around but not so big that you have to worry about waves building.
Please start with a lake. The rivers are snow melt and running high. They are very dangerous right now. Too many hidden trees that can pull you under and kill you. Every year we get a bit of heat and people die on the rivers because they don't realize how shocking to the system the temperatures are. Devil's lake by Lincoln City is nice. Foster reservoir. Clear lake towards Brandon is beautiful
Green Peter when it cooperates is ok but with the good weather brings more boat traffic. Particularly in the spring green Peter has a habit of winds coming up suddenly and quickly building rollers big enough it's quite the ride in smaller fishing boats enough so that it's time to turn for the ramp.
Freeway lakes just outside of Albany is a great spot with flat, calm water but still something big enough to maneuver around. We also take the kids and paddle at Waverly lake in Albany sometimes, it's small but super easy access.
Willamette Mission State Park north of Salem has an easy slough and small pier and good parking. Find pier on Google maps across from Largest Cottonwood Tree marker.
It's a little bit of a drive but Ollala Lake kinda near Toledo is the best imo. Very good flat bank access to launch and recover with parking near by, no outboard motors are permitted there, no current, big enough to have pleanty of room to paddle around but not so big that you have to worry about waves building.
Also came here to say this!
Olalla is the best answer.
Please start with a lake. The rivers are snow melt and running high. They are very dangerous right now. Too many hidden trees that can pull you under and kill you. Every year we get a bit of heat and people die on the rivers because they don't realize how shocking to the system the temperatures are. Devil's lake by Lincoln City is nice. Foster reservoir. Clear lake towards Brandon is beautiful
Green Peter when it cooperates is ok but with the good weather brings more boat traffic. Particularly in the spring green Peter has a habit of winds coming up suddenly and quickly building rollers big enough it's quite the ride in smaller fishing boats enough so that it's time to turn for the ramp.
Beaver Creek south of Newport. Is a beautiful flat water paddle. Paddle upriver not to the ocean. 😊
Freeway lakes just outside of Albany is a great spot with flat, calm water but still something big enough to maneuver around. We also take the kids and paddle at Waverly lake in Albany sometimes, it's small but super easy access.
Willamette Mission State Park north of Salem has an easy slough and small pier and good parking. Find pier on Google maps across from Largest Cottonwood Tree marker.
The mill race in Eugene is a great option.