Water Activities
The cool, clean lakes, rivers and streams of the Klamath National Forest can be a welcome relief from the heat and sun of the California summer. Aways use caution when enjoying the water. Never swim or float alone and always wear appropriate safety equipment. Keep children close at all times and enjoy!
Information on commercial rafting trips on the Klamath and Salmon Rivers is available on our outfitters and guides page.
Information on Karuk Ceremonial Activity on the Klamath River is available here.
Tubing
Floating in an inner tube can be a pleasant enjoyable experience in a mountain lake or shallow stream. The Klamath River is not suitable for floating in inner tubes. Rapids, cascades and waterfalls can turn a fun day on the water into a nightmare. Tubes can be rushed away from the shore and sent downstream in seconds. Never put children or non-swimmers in an inner tube and never consider an inner tube a life-saving or flotation device. Always practice safety first in the water.
Boating - Non-Motorized
Non-motorized boating is permitted on Juanita Lake, Kangaroo Lake and Orr Lake as well as on wilderness lakes. Boating on the Klamath, Scott and Salmon Rivers is primarily non-motorized due to the shallow depth of these rivers. For specifics, check each recreation site listed. A downloadable Google Earth map of the Klamath River is also available.
Goosenest Ranger District
- Juanita Lake Boating Site
- Juanita Lake Campground
Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Curly Jack Campground
- Sarah Totten Campground
- Tree of Heaven Campground
Klamath National Wild & Scenic River
- Ash Creek River Access
- Skeahan Bar River Access
- Gottville River Access
- Brown Bear River Access
- Blue Heron River Access
- Rocky Point River Access
- Sluice Box River Access
- Portuguese Creek River Access
- Savage Rapids River Access
- Seattle Creek River Access
- China Point River Access
- Gordons Ferry River Access
- Indian Creek River Access
- Chambers Flat River Access
- Wingate Bar River Access
- Ferry Point River Access
- Independence Rest Area /River Access
- Coon Creek River Access
- Elliott Creek River Access
- Blue Nose River Access
- Persido Bar River Access
- Ti Bar River Access
- Stuarts Bar River Access
- Green Riffle River Access/Mandatory Take Out
Salmon National Wild & Scenic River
- Blue Hole River Access
- Brannon Bar River Access
- Butler Creek River Access
- George Geary River Access
- Matthews Creek River Access
- Methodist Creek River Access
- Nordheimer Flat River Access
- Oak Bottom River Access
- Saw Pit Flat River Access
- Salmon/Scott River Ranger District
- Hotelling Campground
- Indian Scotty Campground
- Kangaroo Lake Campground
- Matthews Creek Campground
- Scott National Wild & Scenic River
- Bridge Flat River Access
- Canyon Creek River Access
- Gold Flat River Access
- Johnson Bar River Access
- Jones Beach Picnic and River Access
- Lighthill Mine River Access
- Townsend Gulch River Access
Swimming
Water safety should be the most important factor if you decide to take a swim in a river, lake or stream. Currents, water temperature, flow rates and bottom topography change every season of the year. A favorite quiet pool from the late summer could be a death trap in early spring. Check all conditions before entering to water. Never dive head first anywhere. Wear suitable safety equipment and keep children close at all times.
Goosenest Ranger District
- Juanita Lake Boating Site
- Juanita Lake Picnic Site
- Martins Dairy Campground
- Martins Dairy Horse Camp
- Orr Lake Campground
- Shafter Campground
- Shafter Picnic Site
Happy Camp/Oak Knoll Ranger District
- Curly Jack Campground
- Fort Goff Campground
- Grider Creek Campground
- Norcross Campground
- Sarah Totten Campground
- Sulphur Springs Campground
- Tree of Heaven Campground
- West Branch Campground
Klamath National Wild & Scenic River
- Ash Creek River Access
- Cayuse River Access
- Skeahan Bar River Access
- Gottville River Access
- Brown Bear River Access
- Blue Heron River Access
- Rocky Point River Access
- Sluice Box River Access
- Portuguese Creek River Access
- Savage Rapids River Access
- Seattle Creek River Access
- China Point River Access
- Gordons Ferry River Access
- Indian Creek River Access
- Chambers Flat River Access
- Wingate Bar River Access
- Ferry Point River Access
- Independence Rest Area /River Access
- Coon Creek River Access
- Elliott Creek River Access
- Dillon Creek River Access
- Blue Nose River Access
- Persido Bar River Access
- Ti Bar River Access
- Rock Creek River Access
- Stuarts Bar River Access
- Green Riffle River Access/Mandatory Take Out
- Salmon National Wild & Scenic River
- Blue Hole River Access
- Red Bank River Access
Salmon/Scott River Ranger District
- Big Flat Campground
- East Fork Campground
- Hotelling Campground
- Idlewild Campground
- Indian Scotty Campground
- Kangaroo Lake Campground
- Matthews Creek Campground
- Mulebridge Campground
- Red Bank Campground
- Bridge Flat River Access
- Jones Beach Picnic and River Access
- Lighthill Mine River Access
Search for Water Activities Opportunities
Martins Dairy Horse Camp
Matthews Creek Campground
Matthews Creek River Access
Methodist Creek River Access
Mule Bridge Campground
Norcross Campground
Nordheimer Flat River Access
Oak Bottom River Access
Orr Lake Campground
Persido Bar River Access