🛶 Kayak or paddleboard Lake Billy Chinook

Lake Billy Chinook's three arms are kayak and SUP heaven — basalt cliffs on every side, calm water in the morning, occasional eagles overhead. Launch at the Cove Palisades day-use area or rent from the marina. The Crooked River arm is the closest from CRR and the most dramatic for a half-day paddle.

Good to know

• Mornings are calmest — afternoon winds pick up reliably by 1-2 PM.
• Sun is brutal on the water — reapply sunscreen every hour.
• Multiple launch points — Crooked arm closest from CRR, Deschutes arm has more services.
• Fishing from kayak: Smallmouth bass on jigs in the coves (summer afternoons), kokanee trolling June-Aug.
• Rentals: Cove Palisades Marina rents kayaks + SUPs by the hour or half-day.

Safety: The Crooked River canyon directly below CRR (visible from the rim) is hike-in only via Otter Bench, Scout Camp, or Lone Pine trails. Do not attempt to launch a boat from the property — the canyon is unsafe for any watercraft. All boating destinations below are reached via separate access roads.