Johnson Park

The ramp has a shallow entry slope that suddenly drops off at the end. Back in carefully — if the river's down even a little, the lower assist ramp becomes unusable and you're committing to that ledge with your trailer.

Only 10 trailer spots and the layout is cramped. Trucks with longer trailers often end up parking on the grass just to fit. If you're heading out on a weekend morning, get there early or you'll be improvising.

If you just want easy in-and-out on the Grand, the Grandville launch downstream is less hassle most days. Johnson Park's real advantage is putting you closer to the 6th Street Dam — great for steelhead runs in spring and fall.

No restrooms, no trash cans. Bring a bag for your garbage and plan accordingly. It's a 24-hour park, which is nice for early launches, but don't expect any amenities beyond the ramp and a dock.

The Grand moves fast through here, especially in spring. Single lane means you're loading and unloading in current with no room for error. A dock helps with tie-off, but have someone on the bow line when you're pulling the trailer out.