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The North Santiam River is considered one of the best late summer and fall kayaking and whitewater rafting runs in the state of Oregon. With plenty of exciting Class III rapids, lush riverside scenery, and a relaxing atmosphere, this is river a popular trip for those who live in nearby Salem or Portland. This river is a 92-mile tributary of the Santiam River and originates high in the Cascades near Mount Jefferson and swiftly moves through a peaceful forested valley. With vine maples, Douglas firs, and large boulders in the river, the North Santiam is an example of quintessential Oregon

The Grande Ronde River is a tributary of the Snake River, which runs for 185 miles in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. It begins in the Blue Mountains near Anthony Lakes in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and then flows through the agricultural Grande Ronde Valley, and finally through a number of scenic canyons in its lower course. The water is almost always cold because it consists of melt off from the Wallowa Mountains and the Minam and Wallowa Rivers. Whitewater kayaking and rafting trips usually begin at the section below Minam, which is designated as Wild and Scenic and has

Every spring in southern Washington, Mt. Adams & the Goat Rock Wilderness begins to drain themselves from a long winter of rain & snow. With this runoff brews, one of the most action packed runs in the northwest! This remote and secluded canyon passes through some of the most picturesque scenery around. It cuts its way through an 800 ft. deep canyon with basalt cliffs, and plenty of waterfalls and side streams. Boaters will experience deep canyon rim-to-rim views, with twisted lava formations, a rainbow of wildflowers, and dense oak forests. The continuous Class III and Class IV rapids wind

Difficulty: Class II , Class III , Class IV (only 2) Gradient: 11 ft/mi Run Length: 41 miles Good Level: 2,000 – 8,000 cfs Put In: From the town of Madras take US Highway 26 northwest for about 12 miles to the US 26 bridge and put in on the right bank. If driving from Portland take US 26 southeast to the bridge. Take Out: From the town of Maupin take Bakeoven Road southwest for about 4 miles use the access point on the right bank at Harpham Flats. The Lower Deschutes run from Rainbow Launch in Warm Springs to

The Sandy River from Oxbow to Lewis & Clark is the perfect beginner run. Oxbow Regional Park to Dabney State Recreation Site is a 7-mile float that goes through swift-moving Class I rapids. This is a very popular and busy section of the Sandy used by people with a variety of skill levels including anglers. Estimated paddle time: 3.5 hours The river calms down as it enters Oxbow Regional Park and settles to class I for the remainder of the run until it empties into the Columbia River near Lewis & Clark state park. You might see a few breaking

Difficulty: Class II , Class III , Class IV Run Length: 11 miles Good Level: 2,000 – 8,000 cfs Shuttle Logistics: Put In: From the town of Maupin take Deschutes River Road southwest for about 4 miles and put in on the right bank at Harpham Flats. Take-out: Sandy Beach is located on Oregon Highway 216 between US 197 and US 97 about 1.5 miles above Sherars Falls. There are several other access points on this section for shorter trips. After buying permits for the river put in at Harpham Flats and get ready to enjoy the warm weather and

The Washougal river is runnable mostly during the rainy season, so be sure to study the river level before hitting the water. The river-bed carves through boat-shredding boulder gardens during low flows and turns into class IV+ roller coaster whitewater at higher flows along the Big Eddy Section. No matter what level the water, the river is undeniably beautiful. So dust off your eddying skills, and get ready to slalom through one of nature’s finest obstacle courses. Only a 30 minute drive from Portland, the Washougal River offers class IV boaters abundant opportunities for whitewater fun. Because Washougal River Rd follows

The Deschutes River originates high in the Cascade mountains from Little Lava Lake. The river carves its path through 250 miles of eastern Oregon before flowing into the Columbia. The ‘Lower Deschutes’ refers to the hundred mile section from the mouth of the Deschutes to Pelton Dam (near Lake Billy Chinook). The lower river offers a beautiful desert canyon filled with sage brush, osprey, incredible basalt rock formations and plenty of exciting rapids. The Deschutes River is one of the most popular rivers in Oregon. There are many attractive features to this section of the river that has made it

The Sandy Gorge is probably one of the best kept secrets on Portland’s doorstep. Nestled just off of HWY 26 near Sandy, lies one of the most beautiful and challenging runs around the state. Once in the canyon, one will be immersed with rainforest-like vegetation, uncountable waterfalls, the amazing transformation of open valleys to deep, volcanic ash gorges, to the challenging Class IV+ whitewater. And one of the most unique features of the Sandy Gorge is that it is literally 30 minutes from Portland’s Eastside communities. The Sandy River Gorge is an Oregon classic; the river twists its way through

The McKenzie River originates at Clear Lake and flows 90 miles west to where it joins the Willamette River just below the town of Coburg. Along the way it flows through layers of volcanic rock. Just above the town of Blue River is Wolf Rock: Rising almost 1,000 feet, it is said to be the largest rock monolith in the state. The McKenzie region is also known for the hot springs that rise from deep underground. Natural springs, heated by geothermal activity, flow to the surface in several locations. The most well-known are probably the commercial development at Belknap Hot