Lower Klamath Rafting

THREE-DAY Lower Klamath Trips

Price: $1095/adult, $1045/youth
Meet Time: 10:00 a.m. at Klamath River Resort Inn in Happy Camp, California
Season: May through July
Minimum Age: 6 Years Old

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Northern California’s Lower Klamath is a spectacular introduction to multi-day rafting trips. The river features fairly mellow whitewater with just a handful of more difficult rapids. Our Lower Klamath rafting trips feature two nights of outstanding river-side camping with a menu featuring local, organic, and tasty food. Days are spent relaxing in rafts or taking on rapids in an inflatable kayak.

The Klamath originates in Oregon, tumbles through the Cascade Mountains, and then begins its course west through the Klamath-Siskiyou National Forest. It’s here that our trips depart from a small town called Happy Camp located on the banks of the Klamath River. Pushing off and heading downstream, this stretch of river showcases beautiful scenery, wildlife, and some of the Klamath’s best rapids.

Our travel downstream will be in rafts or inflatable kayaks. Mid-day we’ll stop for lunch and soak in the sun before making our way to camp. Our camps are incredibly comfortable – we provide all camping equipment including large tents, sleeping bags, and comfy sleeping pads. Guides do all the cooking and clean-up, which leaves ample time for you to relax, go for a swim, or simply enjoy a glass of wine or microbrew beer.

Lower Klamath rafting trips meet at 10:00 a.m. on the morning of your trip at the Klamath River Resort. It’s recommended that our guests stay at the Klamath River Resort the night prior to their trip. On our final day your vehicle is shuttled to the take out location or we will transport you back to Happy Camp.

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2024 Lower Klamath Rafting Trip Schedule

Reservations are held with a non-refundable deposit of 20%. The remaining balance is due 60 days prior to your trip date. To protect your investment, we highly recommend Travel Protection. Please read our multi-day cancellation policy prior to booking your trip.

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Our Special Use Permit

Indigo Creek Outfitters operates under Special Use Permits from the United States Forest Service – Happy Camp Ranger District. Our permit and license are your assurance that Indigo Creek Outfitters is legally outfitting on the river. Our operations and facilities are operated on a non-discriminatory basis.

Inevitably you may have some questions about your Lower Klamath multi-day trip. Our office is available to answer any questions you might have and to also be a resource for planning your visit to the Lower Klamath. We are based in Phoenix, Oregon and have lots of local tips to make your visit to Southern Oregon or Northern California not only a wonderful vacation but also as easy as possible. We are available via phone at 541-282-4535, email (info@indigocreekoutfitters.com), or you can stop by and say “hello” at our Rafting Center located in Phoenix, Oregon. Below are some important details about your trip. We’ve also tried to address the most common questions we get regarding our multi-day trips.

Trip Meeting Location: Klamath River Resort Inn

Our Lower Klamath multi-day trips meet at the Klamath River Resort Inn at 10:00 a.m. the morning of your trip. The Klamath River Resort Inn has lodging available and is a convenient place to stay the night prior to your trip.

Flying to Medford International Airport (MFR)

Medford International Airport is serviced by United Airlines, Delta, Allegiant and Horizon Air. Flights inbound to Medford start from San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Please plan your flight to arrive the day before your river trip. For your return flight, please do not plan to fly out on the same day as your trip gets off the river.

Packing for your Lower Klamath trip

During our pre-trip meeting (10:00 a.m. at Klamath River Resort Inn on the day of your trip) we will provide you with a large dry bag (“camp bag”) and a small dry bag (“day bag”). These waterproof bags will carry your belongings for the duration of our time on the river. The large dry bag measures 16″ in diameter and 25″ tall when closure is rolled to maximum volume.

Dietary Requests and Food Allergies

With advance notice we are happy to accommodate most dietary requests. At the time of your reservation we try to collect as much information as possible to make your trip perfect for you. This includes food preferences, requests, and allergies. If you have any questions, concerns, or simply want to update your roster information, please call our office at 541-282-4535 or email info@indigocreekoutfitters.com.

What types of boats will be on my trip?

We typically have a few different boats to choose from:

1. Oar boats – these rafts carry the majority of our gear and also provide a comfortable place to kick back and relax as your guide rows the boat downstream.

2. Paddle boats – these rafts are more participatory and passengers will have a paddle to help move the boat downstream. A guide in the back controls the raft with oars while giving instruction to the crew.

3. Inflatable kayaks (aka “duckies) – The most active way to head downstream is in an inflatable kayak. These boats are fast, super maneuverable, and an absolute blast to run through rapids. You’ll follow a paddle boat and the guide will give you pointers for each rapid.

Over the course of each day you will have the opportunity to change boats.

What is the typical weather like on the Lower Klamath?

Mornings can be cool (down to 50 degrees) and afternoons can be hot (100 degrees), so having a variety of clothing will help you be comfortable.

Average Highs / Lows in fahrenheit
April: 68 / 37
May: 76 / 41
June: 84 / 47
July: 92 / 51
August: 92 / 51
September: 86 / 46
October: 74 / 39

How much water is in the Lower Klamath?

The Lower Klamath is dam-controlled by the Iron Gate Dam.

In the United States, most rivers are measured in “Cubic Feet Per Second,” or in river guide lingo “CFS.” One cubic foot is similar to the box a basketball is packaged in. Here is the current and predicted flow from Agness:

Can I bring my favorite beverages on my trip?

Yes, absolutely. Cans are best but we can also take glass bottles. We have safe storage space in dry boxes and coolers. For obvious safety reasons, we do not provide access to alcoholic beverages while on the river.

How much room is there for my personal belongings?

The large dry bag measures 16″ in diameter and 25″ tall when closure is rolled to maximum volume. We also provide a smaller dry bag that you have access to throughout the day. Please limit your personal items to these bags. If you have additional items we can probably accommodate them, but please contact our office so we know ahead of time. Call us at 541-282-4535 or info@indigocreekoutfitters.com.

What kind of sleeping pads do you provide?

We are proud to offer the best sleeping pads made for river trips to our guests. These are “Jack’s Plastic Super Paco Sleeping Pads” that are ultra-comfortable, thick, and extremely durable. They are, without question, the most comfortable sleeping pad offered by any outfitter on the Lower Klamath.

What are the toilets like?

Depending on where we camp, there will either be an outhouse or porta-potty set-up near camp. If we have a porta-potty, we always will have it set-up in a private location that is easily accessed from camp. We use an indicator (normally a paddle) to show whether the “bathroom” is in use.

Spiders, snakes, and Bears – Oh my!

We’ll be traveling through an area that is home to many creatures. It is very common over the course of our trips to see bear, deer, bald eagles, and other wildlife. For the most part, these animals are harmless and not interested in what we are doing. We do take precautions to keep human and wildlife interactions to a minimum and these will be discussed by our guides before your trip and at camp.

Can I bring a musical instrument?

Yes, absolutely. We’ve had guitars, harmonicas, banjos, and even a bagpipe on the river. Let our office know ahead of time if you will need a special waterproof bag for your instrument.

Ready, set, go!

Your trip on the Lower Klamath will take you through a beautiful river canyon nestled against the Klamath River Mountain Range. All of our trips start and end at the same place, but the details for each day may vary due to the same natural factors that make rivers so appealing – natural changes like water levels and weather may cause us to adjust our itinerary for safety reasons and to enhance your trip. Below is a sample itinerary of an Indigo Creek Outfitters trip on the Lower Klamath.

Day 1: Forest Lodge Motel to Camp (Mile 0 to 8.5)

On the day of your trip we will meet you at the Klamath River Resort Inn at 10:00 a.m. Most of our guests stay the night prior to their trip at the Klamath River Resort Inn or in the nearby area.

10:00 a.m. – Look for an Indigo Creek Outfitters bus or truck in the parking area at Klamath River Resort Inn. After introductions, our guides will provide you with a large dry bag for you to pack your items. Additionally, you’ll receive a smaller dry “day bag” that can be accessible throughout the day. The large dry bag will be stored in our “camp boat” and will be downstream of the group, so it’s important to not pack anything you may need during the day in this bag.

Once you have packed your bags, we will move your vehicle to to the overnight parking area (it will stay at Klamath River Resort Inn for the duration of the trip). From the Klamath River Resort Inn, we’ll drive the group to our boat launch, at the mouth of Indian Creek in Happy Camp. There you’ll be introduced to the remaining crew, we’ll do a pre-trip “safety talk,” hop in the rafts and begin our trip downstream.

We typically have a few different boats to choose from:

1. Oar boats – these rafts carry the majority of our gear and also provide a comfortable place to kick back and relax as your guide rows the boat downstream.

2. Paddle boats – these rafts are more participatory and passengers will have a paddle to help move the boat downstream. A guide in the back controls the raft with oars while giving instruction to the crew.

3. Inflatable kayaks (aka “duckies) – The most active way to head downstream is in an inflatable kayak. These boats are fast, super maneuverable, and an absolute blast to run through rapids. You’ll follow a paddle boat and the guide will give you pointers for each rapid.

Over the course of the day you’ll be able to move from one boat to another.

12:30 p.m. – We’ll stop for lunch mid-day. Our food is delicious and we can accommodate most food preferences or allergies (let us know ahead of time please). Over the course of the trip you will be surprised by the quality of our dishes and variety of foods our guides are able to prepare in a wilderness setting.

That afternoon… A typical afternoon on the Klamath will include a couple hours of river time as well as a scenic or historical stop to take a breather.

We will be arriving at our first night camp around 3:30 p.m. Your tent will have been set-up and our camping area will have been converted to a home-away-from-home, including a dining table, chairs, and kitchen. A bathroom is easily accessed and is located in a private area a short walk from camp.

5:00 p.m. – Appetizers are ready. Kick back and relax. Go on a short hike. Drink some wine (or Oregon microbrew, or soda, or water). Play horseshoes. Go for a swim. Take a nap.

6:00 p.m. – Dinner is ready. It’s going to be a great meal so dig in, have seconds, and leave the dishes to us. Have some dessert and then relax around the campfire.

There is something about being outside all day, along the river, and eating delicious and healthy food, being away from electronics and out of cell phone range, that leads to a great night of sleep. Don’t be surprised if you turn in early.

Day 2: Camp to Camp (8.5 to 15)

In the morning… Wake up to the sound of the river. There’s no beating the quiet and peacefulness of morning on the river. Long before the sun begins to heat up the river canyon we’ll have a big pot of coffee ready for you. Our guides drink coffee – a lot of it – and if you are a coffee drinker you’ll appreciate our local “cowboy” coffee. If you prefer tea there will be a variety of teas available. Have a cup or two or three or four while our crew prepares breakfast.

During breakfast, an Indigo Creek guide will describe the day ahead and give you an overview of what to expect. While we’re doing the dishes and packing up the kitchen you can start packing your bag and getting ready for a day on the river. Put some sunblock on, fill up your water bottle and maybe grab one more cup of coffee. Our guides are packing up the boats and we’ll be on the water shortly…

There are a number of fun rapids this morning. After lunch we’ll run Dragon’s Tooth, the largest rapid of the trip. Next is a hike up Ukonom Creek for to the gorgeous Ukonom Falls. Keep your camera accessible because this section of river has a ton of wildlife (look for bear, deer, osprey, otter, and bald eagle).

The river calms as we leave Ukonom Creek and head to camp. We’ll arrive at our home-away-from-home around 4:00 p.m. Like the previous night, we’ll settle in, enjoy a glass of wine, eat a well-earned dinner, and tell tales of the river before dozing off to a good nights sleep.

Day 3: Camp to Klamath River Resort Inn

This morning on the river is similar to the previous day (hearty breakfast, lots of coffee, and a beautiful stretch of river), but with the knowledge that you’ll be returning to civilization – to your car, cell service, and a paved road headed back home. After breakfast we’ll float a short distance to take out, pack up the van, and begin the short drive back to the Klamath River Resort Inn in Happy Camp.

We are normally back to the Klamath River Resort Inn around 2:00 p.m.