Big River Canoes
Welcome to our campfire!
You finally found us - We've been waiting for you!
Our Passion & Expertise are:
1.Running multi-day expeditions on western rivers, big and small.
2. Making a variety of canoes, based on the customers needs.
3.Teaching the youth the river trade, to build confidence and community.
2026 Events Calendar
| Dates | Event | Organizer | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| January - March 2026 | Dugout Canoe Carve | Caretakers of the Land | Wallowa Lake |
| April 13 - 15th | Sinsce Dugout repair | The Museum of Arts and Culture | Browne's Addition |
| May 3 - 9th | Snake River Healing Journey | Khimstonik | Lower Snake River |
| May 25 - 29th | Overnight Field Trip | Immersion School Program | Okanogan River/ Omak Lake |
| June 7- 20th | Salmon Ceremony Journey | Canoe Family | Upper Columbia River |
| 4th July weekend | Sukʷnaqin July 4th Journey | Syilx - Okanagan Nation | Lake Osoyoos |
| July 16- 19th | Feast and Paddle | Caretakers of the Land | Wallowa Lake |
| July 25 - 26th | Paint and Paddle | Spokane Riverkeeper | Middle Spokane River |
| July 26 - July 31st | Powwow Paddle | Kalispel Tribe | Pend Oreille River |
| August 7- 9th | Hanford Reach Paddle | Washington State University | Middle Columbia River |
| TBD | Weave and Paddle | Museum of Arts and Culture | Lower Spokane River |
| September 11 - 12th | Free the Snake | Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment | Lower Snake River |
| TBA | Nkusm Journey | Upper Kootenai Salish Tribe | Flathead Lake |
A one-day trip can impact your life but a multi-day adventure, building/carving a canoe, and engaging with your peers and the youth will CHANGE your life.
Who We Are
Alex Russell - Wilderness Guide, Canoe Maker and Cook
PT Bruno - Wilderness Guide, Canoe Maker and Outreach Coordinator
Evan Leacox - Wilderness Guide, Safety and Researcher
Yo Crowder - Wilderness Guide, SUP Boarder and Retired Game Warden
Who We've
Worked With
The Proof is in the Pudding
- Columbia Riverkeeper - Annual Strategic Plan
- Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment - Free the Snake
- Spokane Riverkeeper - 2026 Paint & Paddle Flyer
- Tribal Tribune - Kettle Falls Salmon Ceremony
- Clearing - Canoe as a Vessel for Learning
- NRS - Duct Tape Diaries
- Museum of Arts and Culture - Dugout Canoe
- Sierra Club - Lower Snake River Healing Journey
- Columbia Riverkeeper - On the Water
- Tumbleweird - Lifeblood of the PNW
- Patagonia - Free the Snake
- Spokane Riverkeeper - Paddle Reel
- Out There Outdoors Magazine - Paint and Paddle
If you are interested in a river expedition, contracting a canoe, or getting your youth involved, please email us!
Well that's it friends! Now that you know where we're at - let's talk soon!
All photos, but two,
by Ben Herndon