Access Site
WA
Sportsman's Club
City: Kalama, WA
County: Cowlitz County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 46.03887938, -122.87395512
Air Temp: --
Location
Interactive access map
Loads when you reach this section.
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Lewis River at Ariel, WA
16.1 mi away
Cowlitz River at Castle Rock, WA
16.4 mi away
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Kalama River
3 runsDifficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
III-IV
Upstream from here (2.6 mi from take-out)
3. Lower Kalama Falls to Modrow Road
7.5 mi
II-IV
Upstream from here (9.8 mi from take-out)
2. Gobar Creek (Gate) to Lower Kalama Falls (Hatchery)
9.8 mi
27 ft/mi
III-IV
Upstream from here (17.5 mi from take-out)
1. Upper Kalama Falls to Gobar Creek (Upper)
16.3 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
**Location & Access:** Sportsman's Club is a WDFW Recreational Area Access Site located in Kalama, Cowlitz County. From I-5 Exit 32, head west on Kalama River Road for 0.5 miles, then turn left on Sportsmens Club Road to reach the site. A Vehicle Access Pass is required.
**Facilities & Launch Conditions:** This semi-developed site features a parking lot and packed-dirt boat launch with a moderate grade, making it best suited for hand launching and smaller watercraft. The launch can be soft and loose underfoot, so expect variable traction. For kayakers and canoeists seeking a downtown stop, paddle past the boat ramp to the Marina's transient dock—this provides a much shorter walk to downtown Kalama than launching from this ramp.
**Paddling Notes:** Sportsman's Club serves as a popular put-in for day floats on the Kalama River. Local paddlers recommend the section from Pritchards to Modrow Bridge as an excellent day-float option for small craft. If planning longer floats toward I-5, start early and be prepared for sustained paddling. The river in this area is manageable for recreational paddlers avoiding technical whitewater sections.
**Facilities & Launch Conditions:** This semi-developed site features a parking lot and packed-dirt boat launch with a moderate grade, making it best suited for hand launching and smaller watercraft. The launch can be soft and loose underfoot, so expect variable traction. For kayakers and canoeists seeking a downtown stop, paddle past the boat ramp to the Marina's transient dock—this provides a much shorter walk to downtown Kalama than launching from this ramp.
**Paddling Notes:** Sportsman's Club serves as a popular put-in for day floats on the Kalama River. Local paddlers recommend the section from Pritchards to Modrow Bridge as an excellent day-float option for small craft. If planning longer floats toward I-5, start early and be prepared for sustained paddling. The river in this area is manageable for recreational paddlers avoiding technical whitewater sections.