Boats of every shape and size go through the refuge, from heavily laden barges carrying wheat to market to pleasure boats out for an afternoon to small john boats used for waterfowl hunting, boats are an important part of the character of the refuge—on the Columbia River! Boating is allowed on most of the Columbia River portions of the refuge and backwaters. Boats are not allowed on McCormack Slough except to retrieve birds during the legal hunting season. A boat ramp is available on the Patterson Unit.