Clackamas River · Oregon

Your Best Oregon Afternoon
Starts on the Water

A guided kayak float down the lower Clackamas River, ending with a catered Oregon meal — no experience needed.

Book Your Float See How It Works

No kayaking experience required  ·  Small groups, guided every stroke  ·  Local Oregon fare included

Our Story

The lower Clackamas is one of Oregon's best-kept secrets.

Tucked between Portland's suburbs and the Cascades, the lower Clackamas drifts calm and clear past old-growth cottonwoods and basalt cliffs — yet most Portlanders have never floated it. Driftwell was founded to change that.

We built the experience we always wanted: an unhurried morning on the water, expert guides who know every riffle and eddy, and a proper sit-down feast at the end — the kind of meal that earns its view. No wetsuits, no whitewater anxiety, no drive-through lunches.

"We wanted people to feel the river — not race it."

— Maya Sorenson, Driftwell founder

The Experience

A half-day that stays with you.

8:30 am

Meet at Carver Boat Launch

Your guide greets you at Carver — a 25-minute drive from Portland. Gear up with your kayak and paddle, get a quick water-reading lesson, and you're on the river in under 20 minutes.

9:00 am – 11:30 am

Three hours of pure river

8.5 miles of the lower Clackamas — basalt walls, cottonwood shadows, blue herons on the banks. Your guide leads at a relaxed pace, reads the current for you, and points out every hidden detail. No class III rapids. Just the river doing its thing.

11:30 am

Pull out at Riverside Park

You land at Milo McIver State Park's Riverside area — a shaded, grassy pull-out with a view back up the canyon you just floated. We shuttle your car while you get changed.

12:00 pm

The feast begins

A locally-sourced Oregon spread laid out under the cottonwoods — think charcuterie, seasonal vegetables from Sauvie Island, artisan breads, fresh-pressed lemonade, and local wine or beer. Every item named, every producer introduced.

The Feast

The meal is half
the experience.

We partnered with local farms, dairies, and wine producers across the Willamette Valley and Columbia Gorge. The post-float feast changes seasonally — spring means strawberries and fresh chevre; fall brings Honeycrisp apples, hazelnuts, and new vintage.

Dietary preferences handled at booking. Vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-aware menus always available.

Local Charcuterie

Olympia Provisions, Mt. Angel Dairy, Columbia Gorge honey

Seasonal Sides

Sauvie Island farm vegetables, rotated each season

Oregon Wine

Willamette Pinot, Pfriem lager, fresh lemonade

"Every item has a story —
ask us, we love telling it."

Zero experience needed

We've guided first-timers at 65 and lifelong kayakers. The lower Clackamas is forgiving. Your guide reads the river so you can read the scenery.

Small groups, always

Maximum 10 guests per float. Private charters available for birthdays, anniversaries, and corporate offsites. You'll know everyone at the table.

Rooted in Oregon

Every supplier is Oregon-grown. Our guides live in the Clackamas watershed. What you eat, drink, and experience stays in the local economy.

Voices from the River

People who came for the kayaking
stayed for the food.

"

We booked this for our anniversary thinking it would be a fun activity. It turned into the most memorable afternoon we've had in five years of living in Portland.

Sarah & Tom K.

Anniversary float, June 2024

"

Our team did three offsites this year. Driftwell was the only one people are still talking about in Slack. The food alone was worth the trip.

James R.

Engineering offsite, 8 guests, August 2024

"

I haven't been in a kayak since summer camp. My guide made it completely stress-free. And the charcuterie spread at the end? I've already sent three friends the booking link.

Priya M.

Solo booking, September 2024

Reserve Your Spot

The Clackamas is waiting.
Is your afternoon?

Public floats run Friday–Sunday, May through October. Private charters available year-round. Groups of 2–10.

$135

per person

Public float

$995

private charter

Up to 6 guests

$1,450

team offsite

Up to 10 guests

Reserve my spot on the river

Email book@driftwell.co or call (503) 555-0173  ·  All gear provided  ·  Free cancellation 7 days out