Klickitat River Rafting Guidebook
The Parrot Crossing section of the Klickitat River is a beautiful spring run that can be done in a day or easily stretched into an overnight trip. The 18-mile stretch features dense forests, towering basalt columnar cliffs, and fast-moving Class III whitewater. Ample boulder gardens and waves make it ideal for boaters looking to improve their skills while exploring a new area.
Klickitat River Comprehensive Guide
WARNING: Conditions change frequently and may make this guide useless. This guide is NOT a replacement for sound judgment or experience.
Point of Interest
Bridges, private property, etc.
Put-In / Take-Out
The most commonly used access points.
Class II Rapid
Class II rapid or river feature.
Class III Rapid
Class III rapid or river feature.
Parrot Section – Class II & III
Length
Parrot Crossing Put-In to Leidl South Boat Ramp is 18.8 miles.
Difficulty
Moderate
Average Gradient
The Parrot Section Run drops ~ 45feet per mile.
Shuttle Time
Parrot Crossing Put-In to the Leidl Campground Take-out is about 1 hour round trip. Google Map directions.
Mile 0 – Parrot Crossing Put In: River Right. The drive down to the Parrot Crossing can be a bit difficult but it is a straightforward put-in. Learn more about directions to Parrot Crossing.
Mile 3.2 – Historic Logjam: An island splits the river into two channels above where there once was a large logjam. This is no longer in play, but the Klickitat is a dynamic river so it could return at any time. The left channel takes you close to a beautiful basalt cliff and steers clear of where the logjam used to be.
Mile 3.3 – Columnar Basalt Cliffs: River Left. Throughout much of the Klickitat River, you will be surrounded by towering columnar basalt cliffs, much like the cliffs on the left-hand side of the river.
Mile 3.99 – Deer Creek Confluence: River Left. Deer Creek enters the Klickitat River on the left-hand side.
Mile 5.05 – Wild Mile: Class III. The best whitewater in this section is the mile or so above the Fish Hatchery. Enjoy a mix of continuous waves, holes, and boulder gardens.
Mile 8.07 – Above Fish Hatchery Take-out: River Right. With the best whitewater upstream, many chose to take out above the Weir at the hatchery. The take-out eddy is small and difficult to spot. If you are in rafts, space out to allow time for boats to get pulled out of the water. Walk on an obvious path up to the parking lot.
Mile 8.1 – Klickitat Salmon Hatchery: River Right. The Klickitat Salmon Hatchery focuses on the restoration of salmon into the Klickitat River that have been stressed by the implementation of the Bonneville Dam. If you are putting in or taking out at the hatchery, it is worth a visit to the hatchery.
Mile 8.28 – Fish Weir Rapid: Class III. There is rebar scattered throughout this rapid that is best run or portaged on the left.
Mile 8.64 – Below Fish Hatchery Put-in: River Right. For boaters who want to cut this trip in half and eliminate the hardest whitewater, putting in below the fish weir is a good choice. From here you are 10 miles from Leidl Campground, and there is a lot of read and run Class II whitewater.
Mile 10.51 – Wonder Falls: River Right. Wonder Falls spills into the Klickitat River on river right.
Mile 10.83 – Outlet Creek Confluence: River Right. Higher up on Outlet Creek is Outlet Falls, a very impressive 70ft waterfall that can be seen on the drive back from the take-out.
Mile 13.64 – Klickitat River Bridge: The Klickitat River Bridge passes overhead. Take-out is roughly 5 miles below this point.
Mile 13.66 – Summit Creek Confluence: River Left. Summit Creek enters the Klickitat River just downstream of the Klickitat River Bridge.
Mile 18.8 – Leidl Campground Take-Out: River Right. Easy access take-out just past the bridge on the right.
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