Hidden deep in the northwest corner of California is one of the state’s first Wild and Scenic Rivers and the third longest river in the US: the Klamath River. Originating just over the border in Oregon, the Klamath River winds 257 miles through the Cascade Mountains and into California before flowing into the Pacific Ocean just south of Crescent City.
Tributary offers trips on the Lower Klamath River, a fun, splashy section, and on the Upper Klamath River, a fast paced action packed Class IV, that wind you through the Siskiyou Mountains of the Coast Range in California. This mountain range is one of the most biodiverse temperate regions in the world and features rugged mountains and rainforests, as well as an abundance of plants and wildlife, including black bears, otters, deer, and numerous fish species like steelhead and coho salmon. Countless migratory birds also use the area and the nearby wildlife refuges are home to the largest wintering population of bald eagles in the Lower 48 states.
Nearly 188 miles of the Klamath River has been nationally designated as a Wild and Scenic River for its outstanding water quality and recreational, wildlife, and historical values. A Wild and Scenic River designation ensures that the Lower Klamath River will remain a pristine, free-flowing river for generations to come, and conservation efforts are currently underway to make the river even more diverse and pristine.
The Lower Klamath River is one of the few rivers in California that offers contiguous, multi-day whitewater rafting trips. Tributary’s three-day rafting trip down the Lower Klamath River is perfect for friends and families, young and old. While those seeking something a bit more action packed can try the Upper Klamath River 1 day trip.
The Klamath River’s headwaters are in Oregon, and it flows from a combination of underground springs, rivers, marshes, and lakes. As a Wild and Scenic River, the Lower Klamath is renowned for its fish and wildlife. Black bears, otters, deer, steelhead, and Chinook and coho salmon can all be seen along the river. There’s even a chance you could see Bigfoot — the Lower Klamath also follows the “Bigfoot Scenic Byway,” which boasts the most sightings of Bigfoot in the country.
The Klamath River Basin is also a crucial stop along the Pacific Flyway, which extends from Patagonia to Alaska and is one of four major migratory bird routes in North America. Over a billion birds use the Pacific Flyway each year, including the largest population of eagles in the Lower 48 states, which winter in the wildlife refuges near the California border. The Lower Klamath River is a birdwatcher’s paradise!
The name “Klamath” itself was derived from the Chinook word “tlamatl”, which means swiftness. The Klamath River was once the third largest salmon-producing river on the West Coast, and Native Americans, including the Klamath, the Modoc, and the Yahooskin-Paiute people, have relied on the river’s fisheries for over 7,000 years. In the 1820s, European fur trappers entered the Klamath River Basin for the first time, followed shortly after by prospectors drawn there by the California Gold Rush. Conflicts and diseases brought by Europeans decimated the Native American population by 90 percent, but some Native American tribes still retain their indigenous homelands along the river.
Conservation efforts are underway to remove four dams constructed in the early and mid-twentieth century along the Upper Klamath River. This is one of the largest dam removal projects in the world, and it will hopefully restore the river’s ecosystem and increase fish habitat throughout the river.
We hold deep respect for the ancestral Indigenous lands that we operate on.
The Klamath River Basin has been home to Indigenous communities for thousands of years, including the Yurok, Karuk, Hoopa, Shasta, and Klamath tribes, who have cultivated a deep connection with the river and maintain the health of the river today. The name “Klamath” was derived from the Indian word “Tlamatl”, which means “swiftness” in the Chinook language.
Acknowledging the Indigenous communities whose lands we visit is a crucial step in understanding our shared history and the ongoing challenges faced by these populations today. For more insight, visit our Territory Acknowledgement page. We encourage you to learn about the people whose land we’re privileged to explore by following the links above.
Our Territory Acknowledgement is an evolving project. If you find missing information or acknowledgments, please share it with us. Together, we can ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and respect. Thank you.
