Kite spot on water · United States

Lyle Sandbar

Name: Lyle Sandbar
Address: US

Practical notes from riders: launch, parking and what to watch out for.

Show on the map45.6977, -121.2969

Nearest airport: PDXPortland International Airport, 102 km

Forecast and webcams

Before you go

Forecasts often disagree. When Windguru, ALADIN and Windy agree, it is worth going.

Tips for this spot

Offshore wind carries you away from land. Do not ride it without a rescue boat.
When a storm is coming, get out of the water and land the kite at once. Gusts before a storm are violent and a kite overhead is the highest point around.
New spot: ask locals about shallows, currents and where people launch.

On site

Wind and riding area

Pparking

From riders

What you need to know

Watch out for

Crossing railroad tracks and passing trains.community map
Floating logs in the water.community map

Parking

On the north side of Highway 14 in the gravel parking lot. No parking on the track access road, on the highway shoulder, or within 50 feet of the tracks.community map
Car park “Balfour-Klickitat Trailhead” about 300 m from the spot.OpenStreetMap

Rules and respect

Crossing the railroad tracks is illegal (risk of fine or arrest); keep a low profile and don't draw attention when crossing.community map
Do not block the road leading to the tracks (used by large rail vehicles) or the road shoulder.community map

Conditions

Flat water.community map

In riders' own words

„Park your vehicle on the North side of highway 14 in the gravel parking lot. ... By law, cars must be parked further than 50 feet from tracks.“
„OpenStreetMap way/147373417“
„OpenStreetMap way/147373420“
„watch out for logs....“
„look and listen before you place yourself in danger or make a train conductor angry.“
„It is illegal to cross the railroad tracks and you are subject to ticket or arrest. ... Be invisible, don't attract attention.“
„The rail road personnel need access to the path leading down to the tracks. ... Please do not park along the side of the road“
„Supposed to be sweet flat water“

Photos from the area

ISS057-E-125392 - View of Earth · 350 m from the spot
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

ISS055-E-88084 - View of Earth · 350 m from the spot
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

ISS055-E-88083 - View of Earth · 350 m from the spot
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Wind by month

When it blows

Average wind speed 10 m above ground from NASA POWER (MERRA-2, 2001–2025). The model works on a grid of roughly 50 km; on hills and by the water the wind is often stronger and gustier.

5.0Jan2.6

5.1Feb2.6

5.2Mar2.7

5.3Apr2.7

5.3May2.7

5.5Jun2.8

5.2Jul2.7

4.8Aug2.5

4.5Sep2.3

4.7Oct2.4

4.9Nov2.5

5.0Dec2.6

windiest monthsaverage wind in knots, NASA POWER; below the month in m/s

Values by month

January	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s
February	5.1 knots · 2.6 m/s
March	5.2 knots · 2.7 m/s
April	5.3 knots · 2.7 m/s
May	5.3 knots · 2.7 m/s
June	5.5 knots · 2.8 m/s
July	5.2 knots · 2.7 m/s
August	4.8 knots · 2.5 m/s
September	4.5 knots · 2.3 m/s
October	4.7 knots · 2.4 m/s
November	4.9 knots · 2.5 m/s
December	5.0 knots · 2.6 m/s

Nearby

More spots within 60 km

Been there?

Add what you know

Parking changed, a new ban, a new obstacle in the water? Tell us, we will check it and update the page.

Sources: Community map “USA NW Kite Spots” (Google My Maps). Wind NASA POWER, airports OurAirports, photos Wikimedia Commons (author and licence with each photo). As of 17 October 2026. These are riders' reports; local rules change, so look around before you ride and follow local signs.