Klamath River, Oregon/California
| Price |
 What's this? |
| Class of Rapids |
Upper: IV-V; Lower: II-III |
| Trip Miles |
Upper: 17 miles; Lower: 35 miles or less |
| Trip Duration |
Upper: 1 to 2 days; Lower: 1 to 5 days |
| Season |
Upper: May-September; Lower: April-October |
| Raft Type |
Paddle Raft, Oar Raft, Inflatable Kayak |
| River Sections |
Upper: Hell's Corner Gorge; Lower: Happy Camp to Ti Bar |
| Nearby Towns |
Klamath Falls (OR) |
| Driving Times |
Medford (OR): 1 to 2 hours, depending on section |
| Recommended For |
Best of the Best, Intermediate, Wildlife |
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The lower sections of the Klamath River promise scenic beach campsites, whitewater rafting, and inflatable kayaking in warm, gentle water.
(courtesy, O.A.R.S.)
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The Klamath runs free for 187 miles from below Iron Gate Dam in lush northern California near the Oregon border. It's not very far from the Rogue River, but it offers a much wilder ride. More than one thousand rapids rampage along those almost 200 miles. Most boaters bite off a piece of that. Ishi Pishi Falls is a portage-or-die barrier. Most trips either end above the falls or begin below them. Eric Grathwol, a guide who works for OARS, a travel outfitter that runs trips down the river, says, "The upper stretch is very challenging Class IV, recommended for very aggressive first timers or people with prior rafting experience. We're talking heart-stopping rapids. The Lower is mostly Class II and III. It has nice scenery and lots of wildlife. One of our guides lead 12 trips one summer, and saw black bear on all of them except one."
Tour Operator Trips on the Klamath River, Oregon/California
* Trip price reflects the average cost per day for a guided rafting adventure on a given river (
= $50-$100/day;
= $100-$250/day;
= $250 or more/day) and accounts for half-day, full-day, or multiday rafting excursions. Lodging, dining, and transportation costs (airfare, car rental/shuttle, equipment rentals, etc.) have not been factored into account. Please note that the trip price classification is intended to be an approximate guideline, as the range of prices on a given river can vary based on amenities, services, and customized add-ons offered through individual outfitters.
