Upper Klamath River

MORE ABOUT THE UPPER KLAMATH RIVER:

THE RAPIDS: Long, Continuous Class IV rapids That Seem to Last Forever!

The Upper Klamath begins in Oregon and ends in California, boasting 40 named Class III and IV+ rapids in 17 miles. Many rapids are long and technical, making the Upper "K" a very exciting river for whitewater rafting. The Upper Klamath River is broken into three sections. The first section is a five-mile Class II-III stretch that begins in Oregon at the J.C. Boyle Powerhouse, providing a wonderful warm-up before the non-stop action begins. The second section, "Hell's Corner", is named after the longest rapid on the Upper Klamath, a 1/2-mile of solid whitewater. Starting with Caldera, the steepest and most difficult rapid, we will navigate one Class III-IV rapid after another with names reminiscent of the Wild West: Gunsmoke, Branding Iron, Ambush, Ol' Bushwacker, Satan's Gate, and Hell's Corner. After Stateline Falls Rapid, the river flattens out a little and the last five miles are more mellow, Class II-III rapids. Rafting on the Upper Klamath requires teamwork and will test your skills as an advanced whitewater paddler.

THE RIVER SCENERY: Volcanic, High-Desert Canyon with Abundant Wildlife

Flowing through the southern Cascade Mountains, the Upper Klamath River runs through a unique volcanic gorge in a high-desert ecosystem. Because of its stunning beauty, fascinating Gold Rush history, and spectacular wildlife, the Upper Klamath was granted "National Wild and Scenic" status in 1985. When you are not paddling your heart out in Class IV rapids, you might spot a bald eagle, great blue heron, osprey, ring tail cat, deer, or river otter. The Upper Klamath often feels like a trip back in time to the Wild West, and old mining buildings and artifacts tell stories of the Native Americans and the miners who once lived in the canyon. Cedar, pine, and juniper, and volcanic buttes frame this deep wilderness canyon.

RIVER LOCATION: Half hour from Ashland, Oregon, & 5 hours from San Francisco

Located on the California-Oregon border, just 30 minutes from Ashland, Oregon and four hours from Sacramento, the Upper Klamath is the perfect rafting trip to pair with a vacation in the charming town of Ashland, home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

THE RAFTING SEASON: April - October

The Upper Klamath's flows are dam controlled, which makes river levels very predictable during the summer season. Thanks to Klamath Lake, the largest reservoir in the west, good rafting flows last from spring into fall. Dependable flows and great rapids make the Upper "K" an excellent choice for adventurous, athletic first-timers, and experienced rafters.

MEALS: Freshly prepared riverside feasts

On 1-Day trips, our lunch begins with tortilla chips, salsa, and fresh summer fruits. Our gourmet "build-your-own" sandwich bar includes all the fixings needed to assemble the perfect sandwich to your preference. We also provide a beverage, and cookies to finish it off. Breakfast, dinner, and both lunches are provided on our multi-day trips. Our breakfasts vary from fancy continental-style fare to omelets cooked to order. At dinner you'll dine on hors d'oeuvres, tossed salad, garlic bread, baked potatoes and main dishes like grilled chicken and steak. And don't forget dessert–a freshly baked Dutch oven delight (fire season permitting)!

If you have special dietary requirements, we encourage you to tell us at the time of your reservation. We will do our very best to accommodate your needs

GUEST INVOLVEMENT: How You Participate in Rafting the River

All-Outdoors runs paddle-rafts and oar-paddle combos on the Upper Klamath. In a paddle-raft, each guest and a professional guide have a paddle and navigate the river, working as a coordinated team. In oar-paddle combination rafts, a professional guide steers the boat with oars while simultaneously calling commands to paddlers. All guests should be able to swim.

GROUP TRIPS: We Can Accommodate Groups as Large as 35 People

One of our specialties is creating fun and memorable whitewater rafting trips for small and large groups. What Type of Group Trip are You Looking For?

Our reservation specialists can help you through every step of the planning process. We even provide you with free materials to promote your trip and communicate details to your group members. To learn more about our group-specific discount plans and packages, and organizational tools, visit our groups page.

THE NEXT STEP: Explore Trip Options or Begin the Booking Process

To learn more about our Upper Klamath River rafting trips, explore our 1-Day & 2-Day trip options. If you want to start booking your trip now, you can call our office at (800) 247-2387 during business hours or check for available space online.