Tilton
2. Bremer to Ike Kinswa State Park (Lower)
| Difficulty | III-IV |
| Length | 8.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Tilton River Ab Bear Canyon Creek Near Cinebar, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 28 minutes | 88 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 18, 2024 |
Washington’s legendary volcanoes – Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams – are the source of wild, free-flowing rivers and streams that cascade over big drops and through deep basalt canyons on their way to the Columbia River. Rivers like the Clear Fork of the Cowlitz, Cispus, Green, [...]Read More
The Tilton River is a low elevation run highly dependent on winter rains that is often best after a good rain between late November and early April. The run featrures some good play spots, great scenery, and some beautiful rapids.
When many paddlers consider their first trip to the Tilton River, the class I/II paddle in and the flatwater paddle out on a reservoir, may cause some to have second thoughts. Once you've paddled the Tilton, however, you'll be back for more as the whitewater in the middle more than makes up for the lack of action at the beginning and end. You'll find some great drops and fun play spots, and the scenery in the gorge is outstanding. This run is remote and a hike out would be an epic adventure through the devil's club. Although the drops are relatively easy to scout and the pool-drop nature of the run provides good recovery stretches, some are very difficult if not impossible to portage due to the steep canyon walls. For the most part the run consists of a few class IV drops, particularly as flows increase, separated by intervening sections of class III whitewater. Use your judgement and consider a trip at the lower range of flows if you have limited class IV experience as once you are in the gorge you are committed to the run.
The run starts out with nearly two miles of paddling through swift water interrupted by a few easy class II rapids. It's not too bad though as there are some fun eddy lines and the current moves you along. Just as you're starting to wonder when the action will get started the bedrock canyon walls start to close in and you'll have a couple fun class III drops before reaching an an obvious horizon line at the start of the first gorge. You can get out to scout on the right, and the line winds down the center and then cuts to the left to avoid a big hole on the right about midway down. The next few rapids have some great playspots and are relatively easy to boat scout. There are some great waves along the ri
...The access is on the upstream river left side of the bridge.
The first significant drop on the run where the river funnels down through a bedrock chute. Look out for the hole on river right towards the bottom of the rapid.
Lots of fun playspots on a series of waves where the river runs along the high bank on river left and bends around to the left.
After you're done playing the Arcade a fun section begins with a distinct horizon line.
Leap of Faith has changed a bit over the years. The leap of faith you had to take is now largely visible from a scout on river left. Head either left or right of the two boulders near the top and then avoid the boulders on river left at the bottom. Wood has been an issue in this rapid in recent years and it's always good to get a recent report. There is a good recovery section where the river enters a beautiful gorge at the end of the rapid.
The final ledge drop has a couple options. You can run the right line but don't go too far right at higher water as the wall on river right is undercut. You can also run a line on river left that involves an S turn move.
Weave your way through the boulder field and then thread the holes at the bottom. This last major rapid is the longest drop on the run.
A short paddle out on the reservoir takes you to an access on river left in Ike Kinswa State park just upstream of the Highway 122 Bridge.
Feb 14, 2026
Ken's write up regarding the wood is spot on. Only thing to add is there is another little piece of wood sticking up about half way down leap of faith on the left route.
Adding pictures of the wood at first drop and leap of faith.
Had a great paddle on 2/14/26! 800cfs is a really fun level for little boats.
Dec 30, 2025
At a lovely medium low flow-- perfect for first time since the high water-- there is new wood in 1st drop and Leap of Faith. The wood in 1st drop is to the left of the main line in the swirly section on river left after the initial drop, and as long as you stay right wouldn't be an issue. However if you rolled or got pushed left....hard to tell what's going on beneath the surface so could be very consequential. The wood in Leap is in the normal right line near the top but is easily avoided and easy to see from the scout. The only other thing to note is how much wood is scattered along the banks from the put in on down. It's mostly pretty high up for now but doesn't look very stable so keep your eyes open....
