The four Klamath River hydropower dams have been removed, and this brings new opportunities for boating and experiencing the 45 miles of restored river. Before boating, river users need to learn about the new river reaches and know the current status of access points. We know everyone is eager to get out on the river, however some areas are not ready to receive visitors. It’s incredibly important that the boating community respect these closures and encourage others to help protect the area's natural and cultural resources. 

Two access points in particular, K’utárawáx·u Access (Grizzly Hill) and K'účasčas Access (Fall Creek) are on land that will be managed by Shasta Indian Nation and are not yet open to the public. Those planning to boat through K’íkac’éki Canyon (formerly Wards Canyon) must begin at Access Point 1 and take out at Iron Gate, 16 miles downstream. These two intermediate access points will not be open to the public until the summer of 2025. Attempting to enter or exit the river at the start or end of K’íkac’éki Canyon jeopardizes our relationship with the Shasta Indian Nation and potentially our ability to complete and use these sites. These lands, including these access areas, are the Tribe’s ancestral home and are being returned to the Tribe to steward and manage. American Whitewater is actively working with the Tribe to help to help prepare these sites for future recreational access in a manner that respects their cultural and ecological significance.

The information below is intended to help the whitewater community learn about all of the access points on the newly undammed Klamath, their current status, and to understand how to be respectful visitors to this wealth of new whitewater: 

Keno Dam: Open to the public. The put-in on river right below Keno Dam is currently accessible via Old Wagon Road on federal land, but requires a high clearance vehicle. A short paddle on the reservoir and portage around the dam on river right is an alternative option. The access site on river left that was a park managed by PacifiCorp is currently closed. This land is expected to be transferred to the State of Oregon this year and we are hopeful that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will open it as a day-use site later this year.

Pioneer Park West: Closed to the public. This access site is located just downstream of the Highway 66 bridge on river right and is currently being developed as a take-out for the Keno run. The concrete ramp is in place, and additional development of recreational facilities is underway, supported in part by a grant from Oregon State Marine Board. The site is scheduled for opening May 15 with limited amenities and full opening August 1. The site is currently owned by Klamath River Renewal Corporation and we expect it will be transferred to the State of Oregon. While this access area is closed, boaters can access the river within the Highway 66 right-of-way.

Moonshine Falls River Access: Closed to the public. The Moonshine Falls access is immediately downstream of the former J.C. Boyle Dam site on river right. This is the typical put-in for the Class IV+ Big Bend Run. This site will be transformed into a formal river access, but the improvements, including a raft slide and stairs to the water, have not yet been constructed. The site is currently owned by Klamath River Renewal Corporation and we anticipate it will be transferred to the State of Oregon. An opening date will likely be late spring or early summer.

Spring Island: Closed to the public. Spring Island is the standard put-in for the Hells Corner Run and take-out for the Big Bend Run. This site is on federal land and managed by the Bureau of Land Management and was closed during the dam removal process for public safety. Two locked gates currently prevent drive-in access to the site. American Whitewater believes the site should be reopened now that dam removal is complete and there is no longer a public safety concern with construction equipment on the access road. BLM had planned to open it on April 15th, but KRRC and RES have an interest in securing restoration areas at the J.C. Boyle Reservoir site (upstream of Spring Island). BLM agreed to keep Spring Island closed while barriers to prevent unwanted spur road use were installed. This may take until the end of April 2025. Those who would like to see this site opened are encouraged to politely make their case to the Klamath Falls Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management at 541-883-6916.

Frain Ranch: Open to the public. Frain Ranch is an alternate put-in for the Hells Corner Run and is located immediately above Caldera Rapid on river left. A high-clearance vehicle is required. It is open and will remain available for public use as long as PacifiCorp owns the property.

Stateline River Access: Open to the public. Stateline is an alternate take-out for the Hells Corner Run located on river left at Stateline Falls. A high-clearance vehicle is required. It is open and will remain available for public use as long as PacifiCorp owns the property. The adjacent campground is on public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management. 

Access 6: Open to the public. Access 6 is the standard take-out for the Hells Corner Run and the put-in for the Beswick Run. It is accessible with standard clearance vehicles. It is open and will remain available for public use as long as PacifiCorp owns the property. We do not expect PacifiCorp to remain the long-term owner. The gate may be closed for ranch operations.

Access 1: Open to the public. Access 1 is the put-in for the K’íkac’éki Valley Run through the former Copco Reservoir footprint and, for now, it is the only available put-in for the K’íkac’éki Canyon and Iron Gate runs. It is open and accessible with standard clearance vehicles and will remain available for public use as long as PacifiCorp owns the property. We do not expect PacifiCorp to remain the long-term owner. The gate may be closed for ranch operations.

K’utárawáx·u Access (Grizzly Hill): Closed to the public. For now, the only way to access K’íkac’éki Canyon is by putting in six river miles upstream at Access 1 and boating 16 miles to take out at Iron Gate. K’utárawáx·u Access (pronounced Ku-ta-ra-wa-hhu) is currently being built at the entrance to K’íkac’éki Canyon and is scheduled to open for limited hours (Monday – Friday 12:30-1:30pm and 5:30-6:30pm only) on May 15th while construction is underway with full opening anticipated later in August. Until this new access is open, please do not attempt to find an alternate way into the canyon: this area is a sacred landscape containing sensitive cultural resources, is an active revegetation site, and is private property. It is extremely important that the boating community respect this limitation and only access the site during scheduled hours.This access and surrounding 2,800 acres are being returned to the Shasta Indian Nation. Please help build a good relationship with the Shasta Indian Nation and honor their request to not access this area until they are ready to receive visitors.  

K'účasčas Access (Fall Creek): Closed to the public. Once re-constructed and opened to the public, K'účasčas (pronounced Ku-chas-chas) will be the primary take-out access point for the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run and the put-in for the Iron Gate Run. The K'účasčas Access and surrounding 2,800 acres are being returned to the Shasta Indian Nation. This is a sacred landscape and culturally sensitive area. Please help build a good relationship with the Shasta Indian Nation and honor their request to not access this area until they are ready to receive visitors which is expected to be August 1. An alternate temporary access will be opened to the public on May 15th on river left at the Dagget Road Bridge.

Iron Gate Access: Open to the public. This is the take-out for the Iron Gate Run and is on the river right immediately downstream of the double bridges below the former Iron Gate Dam site. The site is open and features a drive-up concrete boat ramp. Additional improvements are underway. Please avoid interfering with any construction activity. The site currently has limited amenities while construction is underway and expect to be completed by August 1. The site is currently owned by Klamath River Renewal Corporation but will be transferred to the State of California.