This is site #7 Greggs Addition, and is part of the South Reach section. It is turning out to be an awesome launch, as they are working very hard on it. It now has a newly developed paved parking area across the road from the launch, complete with a vault toilet and 3 picnic tables. What would be really great would be some shade trees. I've thought about donating to the cause. I'm sure they're not done with the work yet, so I'm excited to see the continued progress, on this and the other access points along the trail. The launch site itself is very nice, too, with a cement boat ramp and dock. There is an interpretive sign showing a map of the trail, also.
The Pend Oreille River Water Trail covers 70 miles of the beautiful Pend Oreille River. The Water Trail begins in Oldtown, ID, then follows the river north through Pend Oreille County, in northeastern Washington, all the way up to Boundary Dam, just one mile shy of Southeastern British Columbia, Canada. And yes, I said north – the Pend Oreille River is one of a handful of major rivers in the U.S. that flows north … it seems that up in Pend Oreille County, even our river goes against the grain.
What is a Water Trail?
Water trails offer small boat recreationalists and paddlers the opportunity to travel a designated route along a river by providing access areas, environmental and historical points of interests, relaxing picnic stops, and overnight campsites.
The Pend Oreille River & Pend Oreille River Valley
The Pend Oreille River is 130 miles long, originating from Lake Pend Oreille in the Idaho Panhandle and flowing northwesterly, until it joins the Columbia River in southeastern British Columbia, Canada. The Pend Oreille River Valley, located in northeastern Washington, is home to abundant wildlife and offers natural, historical, cultural, and scenic points of interest.
I have paddled 12 miles of this trail, from Metaline Park to Boundary Dam. The most treacherous part of the route is through here, just after you cross under the Metaline Falls bridge. Always scout the river here, and call the river ranger to inquire on the water levels throughout the day, as it can drop and rise 15 feet through this section throughout the day! It was a beautiful paddle, including caves, a waterfall and beautiful shorelines.
River Ranger: Dave King (509) 446-3083 ext 3330 He is a seasonal worker. Only works Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, from April/May ish, through the summer. He can give you hour-by-hour river levels through the treacherous area at Metaline Falls, and recommend the best time to go through the canyon.
You can do what we did, and choose a day paddle anywhere along the route. There are 2 wildlife areas along the way, many swim & picnic areas, and beauty to behold all around you. You can also choose to be out a few days, and camp along the way. Be aware, though, that during off-season many of the campgrounds close down for the winter. Also be aware that when the river drops in the fall, the boat ramps can be out of the water a bit, which makes launching small motor boats a little more difficult.
If you tackle the whole 70-mile paddle, you will have to portage around Box Canyon Dam. The end of the route is at Boundary Dam. It is a safe exit, with no swift water. There is a huge waterfall, Peewee Falls, just before the dam. Don’t paddle directly in the falls, though, as large rocks have been known to fall and smash through boats.
Always follow all boating regulations, respect private property along the way, and boat safely. You can purchase waterproof maps of the trail in Newport. Info included below.
OFFICIAL PEND OREILLE RIVER TRAIL ACCESS SITES:
#1 Oldtown Boat Launch – Rotary Park 48° 11.132'N 117° 1.878'W
#2 Kelly Island 48° 11.614'N 117° 2.375'W
#3 Ashenfelter Bay 48° 11.728'N 117° 2.979'W
#4 Pioneer Park Campground 48° 12.801'N 117° 3.237'W
#5 Sandy Shores 48° 14.072'N 117° 7.304'W
#6 Char Springs 48° 14.543'N 117° 8.749'W
#7 Greggs Addition Rd 48° 14.160'N 117° 11.637'W
#8 Ponderay Shores 48° 14.995'N 117° 13.858'W
#9 Davis Road has a boat launch 48° 16.834'N 117° 15.364'W
#10 Skookum Creek Bear Park Campground 48° 17.581'N 117° 13.670'W
#11 Keo’s Korner, Usk Bridge 48° 18.939'N 117° 16.684'W
#12 Cusick Town Park 48° 20.239'N 117° 17.648'W
#13 Tacoma Creek Wildlife Area 48° 23.344'N 117° 17.868'W
#14 Riverbend Estates Loop 48° 27.516'N 117° 18.047'W
#15 Panhandle Park Campground 48° 30.471'N 117° 16.165'W
#16 RUBY FERRY 48° 31.262'N 117° 17.646'W
#17 OLD RUBY FERRY EAST 48° 31.353'N 117° 17.504'W
#17 Road access - Turnout for Launch Old Ruby Ferry East: 48° 31.366'N 117° 17.465'W
#18 LeClerc Wildlife Area 48° 31.807'N 117° 17.967'W
#19 Brown’s Cold Spring Landing 48° 34.366'N 117° 21.071'W
#20 Lazy River Farmettes 48° 35.926'N 117° 21.016'W
#21 Edgewater Estates 48° 40.781'N 117° 23.122'W
#22 Dewitt Road 48° 42.845'N 117° 24.617'W
#23 Ione City Park 48° 44.459'N 117° 24.836'W
#24 Edgewater Campground 48° 45.389'N 117° 24.529'W
Box Canyon Dam – YOU WILL HAVE TO PORTAGE AROUND THE DAM 48° 46.816'N 117° 24.626'W
#25 Box Canyon Dam Boat Launch 48° 46.872'N 117° 25.066'W
#26 Wolf Creek 48° 49.638'N 117° 23.124'W
#27 Metaline Riverfront Park 48° 51.164'N 117° 23.168'W
Treacherous Water! DANGEROUS AREA - CHECK WATER LEVELS! 48° 51.918'N 117° 22.255'W
#28 Ledbetter Cove 48° 52.684'N 117° 22.158'W
#29 Monument Bar 48° 56.409'N 117° 19.867'W
#30 BLM Recreation Site 48° 57.254'N 117° 20.256'W
#31 Lime Creek 48° 57.369'N 117° 19.743'W
#32 Boundary Dam Boat Launch 48° 58.983'N 117° 21.063'W
HELPFUL LINKS / MAPS OF THE ROUTE:
WATER TRAIL WEBSITE:
https://pendoreilleco.org/your-government/parks-and-recreation/pend-oreille-river-water-trail/
ASSET INDEX:
https://newashingtontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/asset-index.pdf
SOUTH REACH: (23 miles)
The scenic 23-mile south reach of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail is the headwaters of the Water Trail. The Pend Oreille River Water Trail begins in Oldtown, ID and travels through a number of communities (Oldtown, Newport, Usk and Cusick), offering close-to-home recreation and fitness opportunities. It continues flowing north past the Kalispel Indian Reservation, home to the original paddlers of the Pend Oreille River, until it reaches the Tacoma Creek Wildlife Area.
https://newashingtontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/south-reach.pdf
MIDDLE REACH: (23 miles)
The 23-mile middle reach of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail flows through rural Pend Oreille County and a wonderful state wildlife area teeming with nesting birds and waterfowl, offering boaters a serene nature experience and a glimpse at what the river was like before it was settled. This reach features several campgrounds, two private businesses, prime estuaries and deltas for fishing, and multiple creeks and sloughs to explore.
https://newashingtontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/middle-reach.pdf
NORTH REACH: (24 miles)
The 24-mile North reach of the Pend Oreille River Water Trail flows by three small towns (Ione, Metaline and Metaline Falls), two dams (Box Canyon and Boundary), the Metaline Falls Rapid, amazing wildlife habitat, the striking Peewee Waterfall, and the lower 10-mile Canyon Reach with its impressive rock walls and unique geology. This 24-mile reach offers three developed campgrounds, two city parks, a private campground and cabin resort, a hotel, and a number of disperse recreation sites.
https://newashingtontrails.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/North-Reach-1.pdf
Private Property
The Pend Oreille River flows by private property. Please respect private property and only use designated water trail access sites. Straying off public access sites is considered trespassing and may subject you to prosecution.