The Clackamas river: an outdoor enthusiast's paradise

The Clackamas river is a part of the national wild and scenic river system, designated as a recreational river. Four sections of the Clackamas River are designated as Scenic Waterways. They include twelve miles of the North Fork, four miles of the South Fork, the mainstem from Ollalie Lake Scenic Area to North Fork Reservoir (fifty-four miles) and from River Mill Dam to Carver, a distance of twelve miles.

Whitewater and floating enthusiasts, hikers, campers, fisherfolk and equestrians enjoy the river's clear water and excellent scenery. Wildlife, beautiful forests and dramatic 500 foot high basalt cliffs provide a backdrop to a recreational outing on the Upper Clackamas.

If you'd like to put your boating gear to use for a good cause, consider attending our Down the River Cleanup, which is coordinated in conjunction with We Love Clean Rivers, and takes place the first Sunday after Labor Day each year.



Parks to visit while you're here

There are many parks with recreational facilities along the Clackamas River. Clackamas County Parks Department operates several parks between Carver and Estacada with features such as boat ramps, picnic facilities and camping. The Oregon State Park system operates McIver State Park about 45 minutes from Portland. The US Forest Service provides many recreational facilities in the upper watershed. Portland General Electric (PGE) hosts five parks on the Clackamas River: Timothy Lake, Lake Harriet, Promontory Park, Faraday Lake and Timber Park. Visit the links below to learn more about the great parks resources available!

Barton Park
Metzler Park
Clackamette Park
Eagle Fern Park
McIver Park
Mt. Hood National Forest

Whitewater Recreation

The Clackamas River is free flowing, fed by rainfall and snow melt from the mountains to the southwest of Mt. Hood. The Clackamas is the closest whitewater river to Portland.

Whitewater enthusiasts find the optimal time to run the Clackamas River is in the spring and early summer months (from March - June) for the larger rapids, roller coaster waves and crashing holes. As the water levels drop in the summer months, the Clackamas River changes character and there is a transition to more technical boating on the Upper Clackamas with slow and easy paddling on the lower sections. Year-round whitewater paddling is excellent on the mainstem of the Clackamas above the North Fork Reservoir.

For a whitewater rafting adventure on the Clackamas check out Allstar Rafting or Blue Sky Rafting

To learn more about kayaking vist our friends at eNRG Kayaking and Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe

To check out water height, visit the NOAA River Levels site.