Johns River

The Johns River Wildlife Area Unit boat ramp provides year-round access to this large river system in Grays Harbor County, Washington. The facility includes a boat loading platform, one parking lot with ADA parking, and restroom facilities. This is a solid put-in point for kayakers and canoeists exploring the lower Johns River watershed.

The Johns River is a substantial waterway—a Stream Order 6 river with an average flow of 368 cubic feet per second and moderate current (1.57 ft/sec average velocity). The river corridor passes through diverse habitat including salt-marsh estuary, freshwater cedar swamp, and forested hills, making it excellent for wildlife viewing. Paddlers can expect to see waterfowl, shorebirds, and possibly larger wildlife like black-tailed deer, Roosevelt elk, and black bear. A notable Caspian tern nesting colony is located nearby.

Plan accordingly for the Johns River's character: it's a fairly large river with consistent flow and a moderate 47 ft/mile average gradient. This access point is located near the river's mouth, so tidal influences may be present. As with all river paddling, stay aware of water conditions, respect wildlife viewing distances, and practice river-friendly boating habits to keep the waterway clean.