I had heard of Green Peter reservoir for years and seen pictures online so I decided I had to go there to stand-up paddle board! After arriving in Sweet Home, I checked out the visitor’s center. They were super helpful and directed me to more detailed maps about the two reservoirs: Foster and Green Peter. They topped things off with giving my dog water, and giving me a complimentary ticket to wine tasting at the nearby Mark’s Ridge vineyard. Excellent!
I drove for a while on tedious winding twists and turns to get to Green Peter. The scenery there is lush and beautiful, sort of wraps around the road. Before that part, I passed several parks with countless party boats on Foster lake. I couldn’t go there. It’s just right off the highway and has the power boat and jet ski crowd taking up the waterways. No, that just won’t do!
When I finally found Whitcomb creek county park, on Green Peter, I wasn’t impressed. The (closed) desolate boat ramp was really low and far away from parking. There was an SUV parked at the bottom, near the water. I drove down by it and then heard people screaming and sounding either crazy or angry or delirious. This sound bounced off the barren bank and windy water and hot sky. I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. I decided to leave.
I would go right back to Sunnyside county park, off Foster reservoir. This park was huge with good parking and a good boat ramp. There was a greeter in a hut but she waved me through with a smile saying there was no day use fee.
It was a hot day, in the low 90s. The water was perfect! Refreshing but not unpleasantly freezing. After putting in at the nice boat ramp, I turned left. Directly ahead and also to the right were pods of party boats, jet skis. I followed some folks in kayaks going left. They seemed to have a quiet plan.
This is a great place to paddle. It is more narrow than the main body of the lake. It is lined with lots of greenery- not just tree stumps and parched earth, which is a reservoir look, I have noticed.
The wind came up a little bit, but not bad. I did get down on my knees a couple of times coming back as it got a little strong and I find I go faster in wind on my knees. My board is inflatable and sits high on the water. I suspect it gets blown around a little more than a rigid board.
To get there from I-5, take exit 228 (Brownsville/Sweet Home). That turns into Hwy 20. Follow signs to the reservoirs and the various parks. These pictures are from the Sunnyside park area.
Lily is such a sweetie. Loved your article! Thank you for an inspiration. I have bought my first Crest boat recently and was looking for a good place to go. Maybe it’s a sign that I found your post.
Have fun! It’s a pretty place, good for paddling and even swimming if you feel like it.
What a wonderful adventure!
I hope that I will get to experience paddleboarding this summer as it’s something that’s been on my list for a while now. An inflatable board? I’ve never heard of those. And the dog does not puncture it? Lily really is brave to be sitting on a little bit of plastic as you paddle away into the unknown.
Yes, inflatable paddle boards are quite popular! I ordered my first one through REI and my second one was from Costco. Looking at them, you can’t tell if they are inflatable or solid as they are pumped full and are totally rigid, not squishy. It took Lily a while to warm up to the board, but she realized it led to fun adventures when I stop and let her get off and sniff the shore. They are thick so her nails don’t even come close to puncturing the boards. Plus it’s thicker where I stand and she often stands between my feet. We have had many days out on the water, really enjoying every moment! I hope you get to do it this summer.