Roosevelt (Columbia River)
- Freeride, Wave
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Roosevelt (Columbia River) is a high-wind, thermal-gradient driven destination on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. In summer, winds build and funnel through the valley from the west, producing very strong conditions well suited to riders who want power and long, demanding sessions. For kitesurfing, the spot is commonly described as ideal for wave riding and freeride during the summer thermal season (roughly May through October, with the strongest emphasis in June–October). Launch areas are characterized as wide open, which helps accommodate the strength of the wind and the potential for bus-sized waves and energetic river conditions. Safety is a major focus here: the shoreline and nearshore area include stones and submerged rocks, and the main channel can have moderate currents. Heavy winds and the presence of barges in the shipping channel make it important to respect launch/ramp boundaries and avoid the shipping channel area. Rescue services are not indicated for this spot, so riders should be prepared to be self-sufficient. Water and weather conditions are strongly seasonal. Summer can reach very warm daytime temperatures (often 90+°F) and water can be warm enough for board shorts only in July and August, while shorties are used in June and September. Outside the summer thermal window, winter conditions are described as not really kite-able due to harsh easterly winds bringing snow, hail, and rain.
- Powerful west-to-northwest thermal winds in summer
- Wave riding and freeride potential in wide-open spaces
- Camping available at Roosevelt Park
- Summer thermal-gradient winds funnel through the gorge for reliably strong sessions
- Wide-open launch spaces and significant wave/wake potential
- On-site park access with parking and camping options
- High hazards include stones/submerged rocks and strong river currents
- Not really kite-able in winter due to bitter easterly winds bringing snow, hail, and rain
- Shipping channel and boat-ramp areas require extra care
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- W, WNW, NW
- Offshore directions
- W, WNW, NW
- Wind Range
- 20–35 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — Strong thermal winds funnel through the gorge valley from the west during the summer season.
- Reliability
- High during summer months (thermal season).
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Moderate gustiness reported.
- Best Months
- June, July, August, September, October
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Small waves
- Beach
- Mixed — Conflicting reports: sand vs pebble/rocky beach; multiple sources emphasize a rocky shore/nearshore hazards.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Big — Wave potential can be very large in wide-open spaces; smaller-wave reports also exist.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kiteforum reports include flat/chop/small-wave categories; one provider characterizes it as chop.
- Launch
- Medium — Wide open spaces; rocky beach/park launch area at Roosevelt Park.
Through the year
Can be busy on high-wind weekends in July and August.
Winter (snow, hail, rain); rainy period also described from November to March.
By sport
What to expect for each.
A high-wind destination with summer thermal winds that suit freeride and wave riding/river swell. Conditions can feature very large waves in wide-open launch areas.
- Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
Reported to be excellent for slalom and wave-style riding in high-wind conditions.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.5–5 m²
Deep water and consistent river swell can make it a popular winging location.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Foil-friendly conditions reported.
- Min Depth
- 2 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–5 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Roosevelt (Columbia River) in the full forecast view.
Roosevelt (Columbia River) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–11 ktsGusts 20 kts
- Direction
- WSW255°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2711 kts
- Windy days
- 0/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 5–16 °C
Over the next 7 days, Roosevelt (Columbia River) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–11 kts, peaking around 11 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 20 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Stones
- Submerged rocks near the shore
- Strong river currents in the main channel
- Heavy wind
- Barges in the shipping channel
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence indicated.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No rescue availability indicated for this specific spot.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest facilities referenced for emergencies are in Goldendale or The Dalles. In an emergency, dial 911.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — No localism indicated.
Rules of the spot
Respect the boat launch area and avoid the shipping channel used by barges.
- Keep clear of the boat ramp.
- The wind here is often 5-10 knots stronger than farther west (use this to size gear and avoid being underpowered).
- Wear booties/foot protection for rocky shore and bottom contact.
- Watch out for the shipping channel and keep clear of the boat ramp area.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- The Dalles
- Nearest Town
- Roosevelt
- Parking
- Parking available at Roosevelt Park
- Access
- Get onto I-84 and drive east. Cross the Maryhill Bridge over the river and follow signs to Roosevelt to find the club.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Camping is the primary option at Roosevelt Park; limited motels and vacation rentals are available in nearby Goldendale or Arlington.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options in the immediate town of Roosevelt.
- Equipment Rental:
- No local rentals available at the beach.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The eastern Gorge is a rugged, desert-influenced landscape with fewer crowds than western sections and an established windsports community.
Wild and Scenic Klickitat River joining the Columbia at River Mile 181
An eclectic art museum housed in a mansion overlooking the Columbia River Gorge.
A full-scale concrete replica of Stonehenge built as a WWI memorial.
Columbia River Gorge windsports (kiteboarding, windsurfing).
Extensive hiking and biking trails following old railroad grades through the desert landscape.
Local tasting rooms specializing in high-desert varietals.
A riverside park with picnic areas, a swimming beach, and a playground.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Roosevelt (Columbia River)?
The best overall months at Roosevelt (Columbia River) are June, July, August, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Roosevelt (Columbia River)?
Roosevelt (Columbia River) works with W, WNW, NW winds. Offshore directions are W, WNW, NW.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Roosevelt (Columbia River)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Roosevelt (Columbia River): Kitesurfing: 5–9 m² · Windsurfing: 3.5–5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–5 m². The typical wind range is 20–35 kts.
What skill level is Roosevelt (Columbia River) suitable for?
Roosevelt (Columbia River) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate.