Clackamas River: Itinerary and Trip Highlights Western Oregon   Half Day & 1 Day April 3 - Sept. 6 Class III (Summer) Class III-IV (Spring)       Book a Clackamas River Rafting Trip Clackamas Rafting Trip Schedule & Prices

Itinerary

Half Day trips: Morning half day trips meet at 9:30 AM*, and most afternoon half day trips meet at 1:00 PM*. In either case we meet just east of Estacada, Oregon. (On occasion our afternoon half day trips join a 1 day trip already in progress. If this will be the case we may set an earlier meeting time for the afternoon half day. This will be arranged at the time you book your trip.)

One Day trips: We meet at 9:30 AM* on the day of your trip just east of Estacada, Oregon

Look for a vehicle sporting the O.R.E. logo. After a brief orientation you will park your car then board an O.R.E. van for the 15 minute ride to the launch point.

Once we arrive at our launch site, our lead guide will conduct a safety orientation. We'll then all board rafts and be on our way downstream.

Day trips include a stop for a riverside lunch between noon and 1 PM. Both half and 1 day trips also typically opportunities to swim and jump into the river from the jumping rocks at Big Eddy.

We typically arrive at our take-out point around 12:30 PM (1/2 day morning trips),  around 4 PM (1/2 day afternoon trips and full day trips).**  The guides will load the boats onto our trailer and we'll then all board the van for the 15 minute ride back to your car. In some cases your car will be parked adjacent to where you step off the boat, and no van ride will be needed.)

* Please plan your drive carefully so as to arrive at our meeting place on time. Our guides will attempt to wait for you if you are running late, but circumstances typically do not allow them to wait more than 20 minutes. If you miss your intended trip we will most likely not be able to provide a transfer to an alternate trip, and we are unable to provide a refund for missed trips.

 ** Many factors influence our timetable, including water levels, winds, and the needs and preferences of our guests. Please consider these times approximate.

Trip Highlights

Portland residents familiar with the placid lower Clackamas may be unaware that a short distance upstream an exciting series of class III and IV rapids awaits. For many the best thing about boating the upper Clackamas may be that it is so close to Portland. But the river offers much more. The scenery is outstanding, and the rapids are thrilling. Powerhouse, Roaring River, Headwall, and Carter Bridge are a few of the many exciting rapids encountered, as well as Bob's Hole, site of a well-known kayak competition held each May.

Our high water half day and 1 day Clackamas trips both begin at Sandstone Bridge. High flow 1 day trips take out at Memaloose, while high flow half day trips take out at one of several upstream access points (such as Carter Bridge). Low flow half day and 1 day Clackamas trips will begin and end at alternate access points in order to create an enjoyable trip of appropriate length. (For those of you familiar with the river: Typical launch points for our low water trips include whitewater bridge and milepost 41. Typical take out points include milepost 41, Fish Creek, and mileposts 37 and 35.)

Natural History  

The Clackamas is located just south of the Columbia River Gorge. It rises in the Olallie Lake Scenic Area and joins the Willamette River at Oregon City. 

Anadromous and resident fish inhabit the river and its tributaries. Spring Chinook salmon, Coho salmon and steelhead trout use these waters for spawning, rearing, and migration. The Coho salmon run is the last significant wild late-run Coho stock remaining in the Columbia Basin. Resident fish include cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, bull trout, and mountain whitefish. 

Riparian and upland habitats within the river corridor support diverse communities of birds, mammals and amphibians. Riparian area stands of old-growth Douglas-fir, western hemlock and western red cedar provide valuable and increasingly rare habitat for many species, including the northern spotted owl. Other key wildlife species that inhabit the area include Rocky Mountain elk, pileated woodpecker, pine marten, osprey, bald eagle, otter and beaver.  

The canyon is composed primarily of ancient lava flows. Over 15 million years old, these lava flows are from the same source as the basalt outcroppings seen throughout the Columbia Gorge. 

Weather and Climate