Where You’ll Launch
Willow Creek has two primary places to enjoy a paddleboard or a relaxing river day. Kimtu River Access offers the most room and flexibility, while Big Rock is an excellent downstream destination and take-out point.
Choose the river day that works for you.
For most renters, Kimtu River Access is the best place to begin. Its long river bar, broad access, calmer summer water and mixture of rock-and-sand shoreline provide plenty of space to launch, swim, paddle and spend the afternoon.
Kimtu River Access
Kimtu is Willow Creek’s primary launch location and the best all-around choice for paddleboarding, swimming, relaxing beside the river or beginning a downstream float.
The river bar stretches a considerable distance and offers many places to approach the water. During summer, as river levels recede, additional shoreline, sandbars and places to stop become available. The section is generally better suited to relaxed paddling than the faster and more technical stretches found farther upriver.
During the evening, paddlers can cross to exposed bars on the opposite side of the river, where the sun often remains visible later in the day. There is plenty of room to make Kimtu your destination rather than simply treating it as a launch point.
- Best overall launch for most renters
- Rock-and-sand riverbank with broad water access
- Room to paddle, swim, relax and spend the afternoon
- Access to seasonal bars and riverside stopping areas
- Convenient starting point for a float to Big Rock
- Ample nearby parking, with posted fees potentially applying
Big Rock
Big Rock is best known as a popular river destination and the natural ending point for a float that begins at Kimtu.
It is possible to put a paddleboard into the water at Big Rock, but traveling upriver toward Kimtu means paddling against the current. For most recreational paddlers, that makes Big Rock better suited to a local outing, an alternate view of the river, or the final take-out point at the end of a downstream trip.
Compared with Kimtu, Big Rock has less open shoreline and less room for spreading out along the water. However, it remains one of Willow Creek’s best-known river spots and an easy destination to recognize when finishing your float.
- Recommended take-out for the Kimtu-to-Big Rock route
- Popular local swimming and river destination
- An alternative when you want a different river setting
- Possible launch point, but harder for upstream paddling
- Less shoreline room than Kimtu River Access
Float from Kimtu to Big Rock
This is the route we personally choose when we want an easy paddleboard float near Willow Creek. The river distance is manageable, but there are enough sandbars, shoreline areas and quiet stopping points to let you turn it into a full afternoon.
Launch at Kimtu
Begin from the long river bar and take time to explore the shoreline before committing to the downstream float.
Enjoy the Journey
Pass riverside stopping areas, relax along exposed bars and travel beneath the Patterson Road bridge.
Finish at Big Rock
Use Big Rock as the recognizable downstream destination and take-out point at the end of your float.
River Dog Local Tips
A little local knowledge makes planning your river day much easier.
- Expect an afternoon breeze. During summer, an upriver wind often develops around mid-afternoon. The current will continue carrying you downstream, but the wind can make the float take longer.
- Leave time for stops. The Kimtu-to-Big Rock route is not especially long, but the bars and shoreline stops are part of the experience.
- Kimtu is also a destination. You do not need to complete a downstream float. Many visitors are better served spending the day swimming, paddling and relaxing around Kimtu.
- Look for the last evening sun. During lower summer flows, paddlers may be able to reach bars across the river that hold sunlight later into the evening.
- Kimtu River Access and the campground are separate. The campground is adjacent to the river access, but renters should follow directions specifically for the public river-access area.
- There is more nearby than the river. Veterans Park is located along the approach and includes recreation areas such as fields, playground space and other community amenities.
Which location is right for your day?
Kimtu is the strongest choice for most activities. Big Rock is especially useful as a downstream destination.
River levels, shoreline conditions, wind and access can change. Always evaluate current conditions before entering the water.
Show up. Have fun. We’ll take care of the rest.
Choose your equipment, tell us where you want to enjoy the river, and River Dog Outfitters will help make your Willow Creek river day simple.
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