| Difficulty | I-II |
| Length | 40 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Wynoochee River Near Grisdale, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 36 minutes | 235 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 12, 2026 |
River Description
The Wynoochee River meanders through a broad agricultural valley on its way to the Chehalis River, with occasional gravel riffles separated by long, quiet pools. Flow regulation by the Wynoochee Dam, located upstream of this run, moderates the extremes of high and low flows on this river.
This river is known as a canoe route that is also popular with fishermen in their drift boats. American Whitewater worked with the fishing community to support efforts in the state legislature to secure public access at Bobs Bridge. Bobs Bridge is a popular starting point but boaters can also begin their journey farther upstream at Save Creek which comes at the end of the more challenging whitewater of the Wynoochee Gorge. This access requires navigating two miles of private timber company roads that may be gated making it prohibitive for canoes but accessible to packrafts.
Alternate access points allow boaters to select a segment appropriate for a day trip and are available at the Old White Bridge Site (right or left), Cutover Bridge (left), and Black Creek (left).
The lowermost take-out is on the Chehalis River with South Montesano Bridge Access located just upstream of the confluence and Friends Landing just downstream of the confluence.
River Features
Save Creek Put-in
Access PointDistance: 0 mi
Save Creek is the traditional take-out for the gorge or the put-in for the canoe run down to Bob's Bridge. At Wynoochee River road mile 28.7 (0.2 miles after crossing Save Creek), turn west on FR 2266 (aka Simpson 600). This road may be gated during periods of fire danger and if private lands are absued--problems with timber theft have led to closures. Take this road 0.15 miles across a stream and turn left on the Simpson O-602 Rd. You'll pass a couple spur roads and then reach a Y junction in 1.7 miles. Take the left fork down the hill and continue another 0.3 miles to a trail that leads straight down to the river. The road takes you within sight of the river and it's about a 250 foot climb from the road down to the river along the trail which is about 4 feet wide; although steep, it's a good trail. Boaters who use this as a put-in can continue through private forest land and take advantage of opportunities for an overnight trip. To do this you will need a permit from Simpson Resource Company. Located at USGS river mile 40.4.
Bob's Bridge Access
Access PointDistance: 10.25 mi
American Whitewater supported the effort to make this informal access on Green Diamond land a formal Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife water access site. It was opened in 2018. To access the site, head to mile 21.3 on Wynoochee River road and turn west on the Green Diamond 7400 road. Follow this road 2.2 miles (you will cross a tributary at mile 1) and then turn left following the WDFW water access sign. This access road heads 1.1 mile down to the river and an access point at a gravel bar river left just downstream of the bridge. It is located at USGS river mile 30.2.
Old White Bridge Site
Access PointDistance: 24.1 mi
Take Wynoochee River road to mile 11.3 and turn west on the spur down to the site of the Old White Bridge. Access is located on river left but there is also an alternate access on river right. Located at USGS river mile 16.0.
Cutover Bridge at Wynoochee-Wiskhah Road Access
Access PointDistance: 26.4 mi
Access located on river left at the Wynoochee-Wiskhah Road Bridge.
Black Creek Boat Launch
RapidDistance: 34.48 mi
Black Creek Boat Launch has a concrete ramp and is located upstream river left of the Geissler Road bridge at mile 2.9 on Wynochee River Road. Located at USGS river mile 5.5.
South Montesano Bridge Access
Access PointDistance: 39.76 mi
After reaching the confluence with the Chehalis River turning upstream takes you to the South Montesano Bridge Access administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The access is under the bridge on the river right side of the Chehalis River. As an alterantive, you can continue a short distance downstream to Friends Landing on river right on the Chehalis River.