One of the easiest put-in points is at the Pioneer Park boat launch.  There is lots of parking, a good launch site, and easy access into the river but there is one drawback.   In the warm weather it is a crowded and noisy spot – not a great launch site with power boats, jetskis, and way too many vehicles.   Except in full flood, the river can be paddled upstream fairly easily, especially if you stay on the south side.   Up the river to the end of the Gregson Trail and back is a good paddle.

Another good launch spot is the Valleyview Boat Launch just on the west end of Thompson Drive.   Again you can paddle upstream and back, or if you have a two-vehicle system, you can paddle one way down the river to Pioneer Park, or beyond to McArthur Island or even the airport seaplane port.    An enjoyable paddle is to launch at either the Lafarge Bridge on the north side or even the Pritchard bridge (north side) and paddle downstream to any of the points noted.    On my last three paddles, lots of geese and ducks were nesting on the shoreline, eagles perched on tree branches watching the river, swallows soared over the banks and I enjoyed seeing all of the riverfront homes on the river.