The Klamath Basin is one of our real estate agents' favorite destinations for outdoor adventure in Southern Oregon. At its heart is the Upper Klamath Wild and Scenic River. Renowned for its whitewater rafting, the river is one of the wildest in the Northwest, and thanks to recent restoration efforts, it's wilder than it's been in decades.

Exploring the Klamath River

From the outflow of Upper Klamath Lake, the Klamath River surges through some of Oregon's most ruggedly beautiful countryside, eventually crossing over into Northern California, where it drains into the Pacific Ocean. Though it's always been a great whitewater river, its flows have been off-and-on for decades due to water being used for irrigation and hydropower. 

The removal of the J.C. Boyle Dam in 2024—the largest dam removal project in U.S. history—has changed everything. Since the dam was torn down, efforts to return the river to its natural state have been remarkably successful. Salmon are once again spawning in the Upper Klamath, and new areas have been opened to whitewater rafting. 

Whitewater Rafting Outfitters

Several whitewater rafting guides and outfitters offer trips on the Upper Klamath River, especially the tumultuous section starting at Spring Island, which tumbles through dramatic canyons and offers rapids up to Class IV. These are some of the best rafting guides near our Klamath Falls homes for sale.

• Momentum River Expeditions - 3195 E. Main St., Ashland, OR 97520
  Ashland-based Momentum River Expeditions offers a wide range of rafting adventures on several rivers throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. This trusted company's offerings on the Klamath vary with the seasons. Upper Klamath Day Trips are offered from April to October, including Class II to IV rapids depending on each customer's preference. Momentum River Expeditions also leads overnight 'Rafting Safaris' with glamping-style accommodations that split the difference between adventure and luxury. 
  
  
• Noah's River Adventures - 53 N. Main St., Ashland, OR 97520
  One of the most well-established local outfitters around, Noah's River Adventures has been guiding trips on the Klamath River since 1974. This outfitter offers full-day and two-day rafting trips on the Upper Klamath River, including the 17-mile Hell's Corner Canyon section starting at Spring Island. The Big Bend section, previously unavailable before the dam removal, also offers great rafting in springtime when flows are highest.
  
  
• Indigo Creek Outfitters - 117 S. Main St., Phoenix, OR 97535
  Offering rafting trips on the Klamath as well as the nearby Rogue River, Indigo Creek Outfitters' options range from leisurely river floats to hair-raising whitewater adventures. Three-day trips include all of the Upper Klamath's best whitewater, while overnights in the Beswick Section provide a milder experience. For the first time in spring of 2025, Indigo Creek Outfitters is able to offer rafting trips on the Kikacéki (Ward's) Canyon section of the Klamath River, which was previously bypassed for hydroelectric production.
  
  
• Adventure Whitewater - 1307 Reddy Ave., Medford, OR 97504
  A wide range of experiences are available through Adventure Whitewater, including whitewater trips on the Klamath, Scott, and Salmon rivers, as well as steelhead fly-fishing trips on the Klamath River and its tributaries. Adventure Whitewater provides whitewater rafting trips throughout a 50-mile stretch of the Klamath River, with rapids ranging up to Class III. Trips are suitable for individuals of all experience levels and include serene wilderness sections as well as surging whitewater.

Contact us today to learn more about life in the Klamath Basin. It's a gateway to wild outdoor adventures, and our real estate agents are here to help you find your dream home in Klamath Falls and the surrounding areas.