Klamath National Wild & Scenic River
The Klamath River was designated a Recreational River within the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1981. The Klamath River enters California from Oregon just north of the Goosenest Ranger District. As it heads west it is impounded by two dams which form Copco Lake and Iron Gate Reservoir. Nine miles further west it turns south and follows Interstate 5 for a few miles before again turning west and entering the Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District. The next 85 miles provide many opportunities for recreation and scenic vistas before the river enters the Six Rivers National Forest. This is a high-use recreation zone. Human waste must be packed out. A scat machine is available in Happy Camp for disposing of collected human waste.
Our interactive river map will help you plan your river trip. It includes information on put-ins and take-puts, rapids, and potential camping sites. You will need to download Google Earth to view the map. You can also book a river trip with one of our permitted outfitters.
Before you start your river trip please complete a trip documentation card. Trip cards are available at river access sites, and may be turned in at the Happy Camp Ranger District office or dropped into one of the trip card boxes available at put-ins. The trip cards help Forest Service staff estimate river use, help us focus our limited staff resources on busier river sections, and help us know if boaters are on a river section if the need for an emergency evacuation arises.
Sections of the Klamath River downstream from Happy Camp are subject to temporary river use restrictions during the summer in observance of Karuk Tribal ceremonies. Please refer to the current schedule for information on the current year's river access restrictions.
Operational Hours:
The Klamath is a year round recreation river. Non-motorized boating, fishing, gold mining, swimming and floating are popular recreation activities.
Fees:
Fees are required at Tree of Heaven, Sarah Totten, and Curly Jack campgrounds.
Permit Info:
A current California Campfire Permit is required to use a camp stove, barbecue or have a campfire outside of developed areas. Local fire restrictions supersede the campfire permit. Inquire at the Ranger Station before having a fire. If you plan to use the services of a guide or outfitter, a special use permit may be required. See the list of Guides and Outfitters who are permitted on the Klamath National Forest.
Usage:
Light
Restrictions:
The Klamath is subject to closures each summer for Tribal ceremonies. Please refer to the current River Access Closure Flyer for more information. This is a high use recreation zone. Human waste must be packed out. Do not bury human waste anywhere along the river corridor. Restrictions along the river vary at each site. Use this website to plan your starting, stopping and rest points along the river. Please use developed campsites whenever possible and plan ahead for the disposal of human waste. Pack out all trash and use Leave No Trace Principles for your travels on the river. Dogs on leash in developed areas and parking lots. Camping limit 14 days.
Closest Towns:
There are several towns along the length of the river. Yreka, Seiad and Happy Camp are all full service communities with food, lodging and gas available. Several smaller towns offer stores, phones and food.
Complexes
This is a popular put-in area for the class 3 float to Seattle Creek River Access.
The river access here has an information board and a gravel ramp to the water's edge. The Ft. Goff Campground is less than 1 mile downstream on Hwy 96.
Parking for Dillon Creek River Access is on Hwy 96 across the road from the Dillon Creek Campground. Access the Klamath River by hiking down an undeveloped
Rocky Point River Access has a gravel ramp to the water's edge but parking here is limited.
This is a popular put-in area for the class 3 float to Seattle Creek River Access.
Cayuse River Access consists of a large sand and gravel river bar and a gravel walking trail to the river.
Originally named Virginia Bar, this was a mining claim worked by John Skeahan and Joe Davidson in the late 1800s.
Facilities at the Independence Rest Area are on Hwy 96 with a short, graded gravel road on the southwest side of the bridge to take you down to the river.
The entrance to Ash Creek River Access is a short dirt road to a small turn around. The ramp to the river is sand and not designed for trailers and RV's.
Originally named Virginia Bar, this was a mining claim worked by John Skeahan and Joe Davidson in the late 1800s.
In 1857, William Gott built a home and post office at the mouth of Lumgrey and Empire Creeks, establishing the town of Gottville to serve the growing population of miners i
This popular fishing access has a gravel road to the water's edge. Dispersed camping is allowed and there is some shade.
Rocky Point River Access has a gravel ramp to the water's edge but parking here is limited.
This is a popular put-in area for the class 3 float to Seattle Creek River Access.
The river access here has an information board and a gravel ramp to the water's edge. The Ft. Goff Campground is less than 1 mile downstream on Hwy 96.
A graded gravel ramp to the water's edge is provided at Seattle Creek River Access. There is limited parking at this access.
The access road to China Point is not recommended for trailers or RV's. The steep one mile access road is partially paved to a large cobble bar.
Gordon's Ferry is a popular fishing access just a few miles east of Happy Camp. The road is mostly paved but has a section of improved gravel.
Located in the town of Happy Camp where Indian Creek flows into the Klamath, this is the busiest, most popular launching point for floating the lower Klamath River.
Wingate Bar has a graded gravel road to the water's edge. There is an information sign and parking area.
The 1/2 mile graded gravel road off Hwy 96 to the gravel bar will accommodate self-contained RV's for dispersed camping.
Facilities at the Independence Rest Area are on Hwy 96 with a short, graded gravel road on the southwest side of the bridge to take you down to the river.
Parking for Coon Creek River Access is on Hwy 96. There is a paved access road to the water's edge but no room for turn around or parking.
The road off Hwy 96 to Elliott Creek River Access is an unimproved track from the paved cul-de-sac which allows some access to the cobble bar.
This small access to the Klamath river is not signed on Hwy 96. It consists of a rough road to the water's edge and has no room for turn around or parking.
Persido Bar (sometimes incorrectly called Persidio Bar) is a high-use, popular take-out for river floaters.
The road off Hwy 96 down to the cobble bar at Ti Bar will accommodate RV's.
Downstream from the R. Lyle Davis bridge is a dirt road leading to a steep graded road to the river bar under the bridge. There is parking available.
The entrance to Ash Creek River Access is a short dirt road to a small turn around. The ramp to the river is sand and not designed for trailers and RV's.
Cayuse River Access consists of a large sand and gravel river bar and a gravel walking trail to the river.
Originally named Virginia Bar, this was a mining claim worked by John Skeahan and Joe Davidson in the late 1800s.
In 1857, William Gott built a home and post office at the mouth of Lumgrey and Empire Creeks, establishing the town of Gottville to serve the growing population of miners i
This popular fishing access has a gravel road to the water's edge. Dispersed camping is allowed and there is some shade.
Rocky Point River Access has a gravel ramp to the water's edge but parking here is limited.
This is a popular put-in area for the class 3 float to Seattle Creek River Access.
The river access here has an information board and a gravel ramp to the water's edge. The Ft. Goff Campground is less than 1 mile downstream on Hwy 96.
A graded gravel ramp to the water's edge is provided at Seattle Creek River Access. There is limited parking at this access.
The access road to China Point is not recommended for trailers or RV's. The steep one mile access road is partially paved to a large cobble bar.
Gordon's Ferry is a popular fishing access just a few miles east of Happy Camp. The road is mostly paved but has a section of improved gravel.
Located in the town of Happy Camp where Indian Creek flows into the Klamath, this is the busiest, most popular launching point for floating the lower Klamath River.
Wingate Bar has a graded gravel road to the water's edge. There is an information sign and parking area.
The 1/2 mile graded gravel road off Hwy 96 to the gravel bar will accommodate self-contained RV's for dispersed camping.
Facilities at the Independence Rest Area are on Hwy 96 with a short, graded gravel road on the southwest side of the bridge to take you down to the river.
Parking for Coon Creek River Access is on Hwy 96. There is a paved access road to the water's edge but no room for turn around or parking.
The road off Hwy 96 to Elliott Creek River Access is an unimproved track from the paved cul-de-sac which allows some access to the cobble bar.
Parking for Dillon Creek River Access is on Hwy 96 across the road from the Dillon Creek Campground. Access the Klamath River by hiking down an undeveloped
This small access to the Klamath river is not signed on Hwy 96. It consists of a rough road to the water's edge and has no room for turn around or parking.
Persido Bar (sometimes incorrectly called Persidio Bar) is a high-use, popular take-out for river floaters.
The road off Hwy 96 down to the cobble bar at Ti Bar will accommodate RV's.
Parking for Rock Creek River Access is only on Hwy 96 and is limited. There is a 1/4 mile steep hiking trail to the river.
Downstream from the R. Lyle Davis bridge is a dirt road leading to a steep graded road to the river bar under the bridge. There is parking available.
The Salmon River was designated a Scenic River and Recreational River within the National Wild & Scenic Rivers System in 1981.
Approximately 1 mile east on Highway 2B01 from Somes Bar to a small turnout on the right. Hike down to the water.
Swimming, wading and water play off the gravel bar on the North Fork of the Salmon River.
Recreation Sites
Ash Creek River Access
Blue Heron River Access
Blue Hole River Access
Blue Nose River Access
Brown Bear River Access
Cayuse River Access
China Point River Access
Coon Creek River Access
Dillon Creek River Access
Elliott Creek River Access