Upper Klamath

As of 2024, the “New Klamath” is here. Click the link below to learn more.

Oregon, USA

Upper Klamath River Rafting Guide

The “New” Klamath

With the dams out on the Klamath river, there are many new sections to explore and map. We are going to first publish those changes here, on this page, and then publish them to FarOut shortly after.

important: Access Closures

There are temporary access closures that must be followed. They are listed below and include Old Pioneer Park West, K’utárawáx·u (Grizzly Hill), and K’účasčas (Fall Creek). Click here to learn more about access information.

A Note From Shasta Indian Nation: January 13, 2025 – Trails are being developed that will be available for public use. We ask all parties to use sites and facilities when they’re ready and not before. There will be opportunities for hikers but they will be on trails that are designed to protect historic and cultural sites. For additional information, please contact culture@shastaindiannation.org.

Based in Southern Oregon, Indigo Creek Outfitters is our preferred partner for the Upper Klamath. In addition to the Upper Klamath they operate on the Lower Klamath and Rogue River. Learn more about Indigo Creek Outfitters.

Safety


The Upper Klamath is an intermediate to advanced river run. While there are sections that are mellow Class II and III, take into account numerous other challenges such as strainers, and sieves. As a private boater, make sure you join a party that has recent Upper Klamath experience. Please note that the Upper Klamath river has many rapids that are shallow, and the rocks are sharp, so having swimmers here can be very dangerous.

Hell’s Corner


The Upper Klamath begins with several miles of flatwater mixed with Class II & III whitewater. Around mile 4.5, the river constricts and you enter “Hell’s Corner Canyon”, consisting of several miles of very continuous Class IV/IV+ whitewater. This section is sure to be the highlight of your trip, but note that it is notorious for its’ shallow rapids, with sharp rocks, so be very cautious in this area, as you do not want swimmers here. Be sure to scout all three of the big Class IVs in this section (Caldera, Satan’s Gate, & Hell’s Corner).

Shuttle Info


Unfortunately, Google Maps, is unable to provide accurate routes directly to the Put-In, so please see these directions to arrive to the Put-In. From Ashland, Oregon, travel east on State Highway 66 for approximately 43 miles. Turn right onto J.C. Boyle Powerhouse Road (40-6E-1.2). Follow J.C. Boyle Powerhouse Road (40-6E-1.2) for approximately 4 miles to Spring Island Day Use Site. From Klamath Falls, Oregon travel west on State Highway 66 for approximately 30 miles. Turn left onto J.C. Boyle Powerhouse Road (40-6E-1.2). Follow J.C. Boyle Powerhouse Road (40-6E-1.2) for approximately 4 miles to Spring Island Day Use Site.

Click “Learn More” to read about important access and temporary closure information

Rafting the Upper Klamath? Our Upper Klamath River guide has you covered: 40 waypoints | Live, offline location | 20 photos

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Keno – Class II & III

Keno is part of the new Upper Klamath with the draining of John C Boyle dam. This section is Class II and III but no specific information is known at this time. The Old Pioneer Park West takeout is temporarily closed.

III
Mile 0.1 – Class III- Rapid

Mile 0.1 – No name: Class III-.

II
Mile 0.2 thru mile 7.2 – Numerous Class II Rapids

Throughout this section, there are numerous Class II rapids.

III
Mile 5.00 – Meatball Rapid

Class III+.

Big Bend – Class IV+ & V

Historically this was significantly de-watered and wasn’t a viable run. After dam removal it’s now runnable.

III
Mile 1.9 – No Name Big Bend #1

Mile 1.90 – No name: Class III+

IV
Mile 2.25 – No Name Big Bend #2

Mile 2.25 – No name: Class IV

Mile 2.69 – Sidecast Spring

River Left. This spring adds approximately 150 – 175 CFS into the river.

?
Mile 2.69 – Sidecast Spring Rapid

This rapid has not been seen yet.

IV
Mile 3.1 – No Name Big Bend #3

Mile 3.1 – No name: Class IV+

IV
Mile 3.9 – No Name Big Bend #4

Mile 3.9 – No name: Class IV

IV
Mile 4.5 – No Name Big Bend #5

Mile 4.5 – No name: Class IV

Hell’s Corner – Class II, III, & IV

Hell’s Corner was the standard UK run before the dams came out. This section is a Class II, III, & IV run from the Spring Island River Access Point to the Access 6 Take-Out.

Mile 0.00 – Spring Island Surf Wave

Cross the river to river left and then head up the eddy. There’s a decent surf wave located right here.

III
Mile 0.05 – Saddle Horn Rapid:

Mile 0.05 – Saddle Horn Rapid: Class III. Right out the gate, you come into a Class III rapid, Saddle Horn. Run this left of center and enjoy the waves.

III
Mile 0.89 – Osprey Rapid:

Mile 0.89 – Osprey Rapid: Class III. Read and run rapid, keep your eyes peeled for Osprey nests and Osprey. Look towards the tops of the trees on river left for your best chance.

III
Mile 1.83 – Gun Slinger Rapid:

Mile 1.83 – Gun Slinger Rapid: Class III. Read and run.

Mile 2.86 – Klamath River Camp:

Mile 2.86 – Klamath River Camp: River Right. With 4×4 road access, this camp can be popular.

Mile 4.97 – Frain Ranch Put-In:

River Left. Another put-in comes in on river left. This is also a very rough road, and is only passable by high clearance 4WD vehicles

Mile 6.26 – Rock Creek Confluence:

River Left. Rock Creek enters the Upper Klamath River from the left. Just downstream lies Bermuda Triangle Rapid.

III
Mile 6.38 – Bermuda Triangle Rapid:

Class III. Enter Bermuda left of center (lots of rocks to the right). There’s a big wave on the bottom left and right of this rapid.

III
Mile 6.61 – Branding Iron Rapid:

Class III. Like many rapids on the Upper Klamath, Branding Iron is a big wave train. However, about 2/3 of the way down is a large wave, that you’ll definitely want to hit straight.

III
Mile 7.42 – Fluffy Bunny:

Class IV. Known by some as “The Dragon”, just downstream of the Hell’s Corner eddy, there’s a large pour over on river right, keep left of this, then enjoy some fun waves for this splashy Class III+. Watch out for 2 submerged boulders at the bottom right of this rapid.

III
Mile 7.61 – Jackass Rapid:

Class III. Enter right for this read-and-run rapid to stay clear of boulders on river left.

III
Mile 7.81 – Scarface Rapid:

Class III. Enter left of center for a fun large drop. Watch out for some boulders in center channel.

III
Mile 8.02 – Dance Hall Rapid:

Class III. The river bends to the right and splits into 2 channels going around an island,.Stay in the left channel, but keep inside on this turn. Lots of fun waves at the bottom of this rapid.

III
Mile 8.15 – Ambush Rapid:

Class III. Rocks at the top right of Ambush force a left entrance. Stay left and hit the big waves straight.

Mile 8.43 – Salt Caves:

River Left. On river left, you’ll see some beautiful caves with salt that has precipitated out of the walls. This is a native sacred site, so there is no stopping allowed. This location was a proposed dam site, which was stopped by the 1997 Wild and Scenic designation of the Klamath.

II
Mile 8.66 – Rainbow Rock Rapid:

Class II. The channel takes you far right. Watch the entrance guard rocks and then move left, so you don’t hit the right wall.

III
Mile 9.21 – Captain Jack Rapid:

Class III. Captain Jack is a read-and-run rapid as the river bends to the right.

IV
Mile 9.74 – Snag Island Rapid:

Class IV. The river splits around an island. Take the right channel and stay to the inside left. As the water makes its way towards the end of the island, it will make a sharp turn to the left. Work hard to stay to the inside of this turn or you’ll get swung into a bunch of rocks.

III
Mile 10.46 – Wells Fargo Rapid:

Class III. The river again splits into 2 channels around an island in the middle of the river. Stay to the right channel at most flows, then work to the left.

II
Mile 10.77 – No Look Falls Rapid:

Class II. Read-and-run rapid.

II
Mile 10.85 – Don’t Kill The Piano Player Rapid:

Class II. Read-and-run rapid.

III
Mile 11.05 – Stateline Falls Rapid:

Class III. Straddling the Oregon-California border is Class III Stateline Falls. The river bends to the left, with a large shelf drop extending across the river. Stay far left here.

Mile 11.23 – Stateline Access:

River Left. This is the most upstream takeout available.

II
Mile 11.87 – Arden’s Folly Rapid:

Mile 11.87 – Arden’s Folly Rapid: Class II. Read and run rapid (stay alert though, it is possible to wrap a boat here, which would be an unfortunate end to your day.)

Mile 11.96 – Swim-to-takeout:

With takeout insight, this is a good place for your paddlers to jump out and float to takeout if they’re looking to cool off.

Beswick – Class I & II

Description coming.

Mile 1.65 – historic town of Beswick

River Left.

Mile 2.28 – Log Chute

River Right.

Mile 2.37 – Indian Cave

River Right.

Kikacéki Valley (Copco Valley) – Class I & II

Dangerous River Conditions Ahead; Advanced Boaters Only; All Others Should Exit.
Until the new public access sites are built, Access 1 is the final take-out spot prior to Class IV & IV+ rapids and dangerous river conditions. Recreators should use extreme caution. River conditions here are not representative of the conditions downstream.

Mile 0.50 – Copco Road Bridge

Mile 1.69 – Dead Tree Forest

Mile 2.00 – scenic Area

I
Mile 2.20 – No Name 1 Class I

Mile 2.20– No Name: Class I.

I
Mile 2.70 – No Name 2 Class I

Mile 2.70– No Name: Class I.

I
Mile 3.00 – No Name 3 Class I

Mile 3.00– No Name: Class I.

Mile 4.55 – Beaver Creek

River Right.

Mile 4.90 – Anchor

Kikacéki Reach (Ward’s Canyon) – Class IV

Description coming.

Mile 0.25 – Entrance to Ward’s Canyon

III
Mile 0.5 – Ghost Dance

Class III. Continuous Class II and III rapids from the former Copco 1 dam site until you are below the former Copco 2 dam site.

IV
Mile 0.92 – Wild Horse

Class IV. The long straight-away rapid with the tricky entrance due to inconvenient wood. “Wild Horse” is a nod to the wild horses that roam the nearby area.

IV
Mile 1.10 – Bogus Bend Class IV-

Class IV-.

IV
Mile 1.57 – Boyles Boil

Class IV.

Mile 1.77 – Columnar Basalt

IV
Mile 1.89 – Kitty’s Corner

Class IV. Kitty’s Corner Rapid: Class IV-.

IV
Mile 2.10 – Middle School

Class IV.

IV
Mile 2.3 – Kikacéki Falls

Class IV+.

Iron Gate – Class I & II

Description coming.

II
Mile 0.25 – No Name 1 Class II

Mile 0.25– No Name: Class II.

Mile 3.73 – Pinch

Mile 4.00 – Columnar Basalt

Mile 5.10 – View of Pilot Rock

I
Mile 6.67 – No Name 2 Class I

Mile 6.67– No Name: Class I

Mile 7.00 – Scenery

Mile 7.18 – Camp Creek

River Right.

I
Mile 9.15 – No Name 3 Class I

Mile 9.15– No Name: Class I