Paddling Lake Sylvia Montesano Washington United States -- Paddle Heaven

Puget Sound Mt Erie to Mt Rainer. George Grubb

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Washington State public lands parking permit.
Starts July 1, 2011.
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WDFW Public Water Access sites.

Paddling Lake Sylvia

Contents

Put-in
Launch fees, parking ...
Summaries
Location, conditions, warnings, paddle route, nature ...
Provisions
Food, fuel, firewood, WIFI, local information
Accommodations
Camping, cabins
Additional info
Rating, disclaimer

Contents
Put-in

Putting a canoe or kayak in Lake Sylvia can be a good thing when the conditions are right.

The lake is more or less divided in half by a bridge. Across the the bridge on the north side of the lake there is a swimming area and a boat launch.

Launching and parking are free here.

The best place to slip a canoe or kayak or other human powered craft like when doing stand up paddling is between the bridge and swimming area.

In the summer there is a rope around the swim hole. On the edge of it is a nice sandy spot to squeeze in and enjoy the lake.

There is also a boat launch on the same side of the lake on the other side of the bridge from the beach area.

Many of the camp sites in the campground are on the water and some offer a way to put-in as well.

Contents
Descriptions

Paddling Lake Sylvia September 3, 2010.

This particular spot gets a high rating for a long list of ratings. I think most people not into the hardcore routs found in this site will enjoy this easy place to paddle. Just because it might be easy for some, it offers some wonderful things in terms of natural scenery.

Location
Lake Sylvia State Park is located just outside of Montesano, NOT insano, Washington. By not insano, it is meant this little burg is more of a Mayberry type of town then a lot of towns. Montesano and the nearby areas can pat themselves on the back for not being overrun with 21st century insanity.

The state park and lake are a classic. The lake and park are small but offer a big bang for the buck so to speak. The location, layout and amenities are great.

This is a great family and beginner spot to take on paddling.

Conditions
Sylvia Lake is set in a bowl in the hills outside of Montesano about 1 or so miles. The shoreline is lined with forest. There are campsites, picnic areas and the swimming beach area. So the conditions are rather idyllic in many ways. This small lake is a shallow man made lake with a small dam at the southern end.

This lake seems to have it all. The shoreline offers shallow micro coves in the woods, an estuary at one end and a damn at the other. Plus there is plenty to put the MBS at rest in between the edges of the lake and mind.

Warnings
There are underwater and above water hazards paddlers need to watch for. Like anyplace there can be wind. This location is more sheltered from the winds then many. The campsites drop off into the water so watch out if you plan to camp and put-in from the front door of your tent or RV.

Paddle route
Paddling around the shoreline does not take all that long for an experienced paddler. Why hurry. This is a peaceful place to put-in, camp and enjoy the secenery.

Nature
The lake is surrounded by lovely forests. Some waterfowl might be seen. Fish jump in the lake.

Contents
Provisions

There is a park store with, get this, kayaks for rent. Whooopeee.

Plus there are some junk food and other supplies inside the little shop.

Montesano is only about 1 mile or so away so getting supplied shouldn't be a problem.

Contents
Accommodations

Guess what, there is good camping here in the Lake Sylvia State Park. Lucky campers can park their kayak and or canoe, rafts whatever right on the shoreline. Set up the tent or park the RV and plop in the water for some nice peaceful stroking or the mind and water here.

Check out Sylvia Lake State Park online. Camping spots can be reserved in advance or come and hope you find one. Weekends are busy but mid week is easy to land a spot to put a tent up.

For some budget camping, cabins, yurts, RV and hostels, check out Paddle Heaven's Grays Harbor County map and Grays Harbor County page of links as well as Paddle Heaven's Camping cabins and more.

Contents
Additional Information

Deliverance rating. Fewer crazies loose in these parts. Enough of a crowd roaming around to keep most car prowlers to a minimum.

Tranquility Ranking
One way to up the tranquility rank besides taking Valium, until a National Day of Silence, no fossil fuel noise, try hearing protection. This place can be fairly tranquil when the cars are not using the road in the park.

Fishing Reports, Stocking Reports & Fish Counts from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Things your need to know.
Read Me disclaimer, warnings, paddle at your own risk.

Living In Gangland: Rural Gangs Claim Public Lands

See some of the weather conditions in Washington State by viewing Web Cams in diffefrent locaitons before you head out paddling.

View Grays Harbor County in a larger map
My Google Maps view of the paddling possibilities at Sylvia Lake State Park near Montesano Washington.

Approximate distance from:
Seattle miles.
Everett miles.
Bellingham miles.
Vancouver Canada .

GPS: 46.996720,-123.594615

Region: Grays Harbor County

Overall rating: 5 paddles.

Launch: Free launch near the swimming area. Nice, sandy, gentle beach access.

Launch rating: 5 paddles.

Parking: Free parking at the launch site. Washington State public lands parking permit

Miscellaneous Beginner and up.

Route Distance: 1 peaceful slow down hour around the edge of the lake.

Highlights: Classic paddling location. Big bang for your buck here.

Warnings: Snags in and above the water. Sharp drop off from campsites into water.

Fossil fuel noise levels: 1 on a scale of 0-10. 10 being the loudest.

Facilities: Toilets, water. Can't remember if the cell works here.

Services: Food gas etc in Montesano a mile away. Camp store in the park.

Budget accommodations: Tent,Cabin,Hostels,Kayak Camps,RV,Yurt.

CURRENT MOON

moon info

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Last Update: 02.25.11 5:56pm