National Park Service Centennial program provides funding for free public
canoe and kayak tours .



Rangers at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park will offer visitors
guided paddling tours along the Lewis and Clark River.
The tours are free.  Canoes, kayaks, and safety gear will be provided.

These free guided tours will continue on Saturdays and Sundays  at 1pm,
through September 28.

The trips will start at the Netul Landing canoe launch, one mile south of
Fort Clatsop visitor center. Visitors will meet with a park ranger at the
canoe launch area for safety orientation and paddle.

Release of liability forms can be downloaded from our park website or the
ranger on duty will also have copies. Paddlers should dress for the
weather, wearing protective clothing for being on the water, and bring
water and snacks or lunch. Paddlers of all ages are welcome but must be
physically fit for a two hour paddle, be able to paddle unassisted and not
be afraid of falling into the water.  Children under 18 are welcome with
accompanying adult.  Activities can be canceled because of inclement
weather.

The park will provide five water craft (three open kayaks and two canoes)
by reservation. Reservations for the free, first-come, first-served program
are encouraged and can be made online at www.nps.gov/lewi or by calling
 (503) 861-4423 . Drop-ins will also be taken on first-come,
first-served basis to participants who arrive at least an hour prior to the tour.
Lewis and Clark NHP is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. 
For more information, call the park at  (503) 861-2471 .

Paddle from the time of the Clatsop to the days of big logging and beyond
The Clatsop called the river “Netul” and paddled it in high-prowed canoes.
American settlers re-named it for the expedition that spent a winter on its
banks.  To logging companies, it was the end of the backcountry rail-lines
and the place where logs were assembled into rafts for their journey to
market.  For dairy farmers, it was both a giver of rich bottomland and
source of floodwater.

Paddlers will learn about the history of the river and also get the chance
to see eagles, osprey, and, if lucky, river otters.

National Park Service Centennial Initiative funds tours, trails, and much
more.

In 2008, the Centennial Initiative gave Lewis & Clark National Historical
Park the funds for five additional seasonal employees, all of whom are
working on improved services for the public.

For example, this kayak program was put together by Russ Greenberg one of
the Centennial rangers and a retired police officer who used his safety
skills to start up the park’s paddling program. Another Centennial hire,
Will George, has been working on 5th grade activities for the park’s
education program and on new guided hiking programs.  Local Centennial
hires Josh Fry of Knappa and Jimmy Huddleston of Astoria have helped to
complete a new segment of the Fort-to-Sea Trail.

The goal of the President’s Centennial Initiative is to provide significant
investment in our parks as we count down to the National Park Service’s
Centennial in 2016.   These investments are aimed at restoring the national
treasures protected by our parks, revitalizing visitor services, and
guaranteeing that our national parks are a vital part of civic life in the
21st century.