| Difficulty | III-IV+ |
| Length | 4.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | N Umpqua River Abv Copeland Ck Nr Toketee Falls,or |
| Flow Rate as of 15 minutes | 667 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 25, 2026 |
The Narrows begins where the intermediate whitewater on the North Umpqua ends, providing an expert-level continuation for paddlers looking to step up the difficulty. While this section begins at Cable Crossing Access, it is also common to start upstream at Baker Wayside and begin with a warm-up stretch, adding approximately 1.5 miles of whitewater including Upper Baker, Baker Falls, Baker Alley, and Upper Cable.
From Cable Crossing Access, Lower Cable is the first rapid and can be scouted from the left bank. The standard line is center-right, though other options exist depending on flow and preference.
Deadline Falls, a dramatic rapid easily visible from the road, follows shortly downstream. Multiple lines come and go with changing flows, while the classic summer line is a center-left boof. The rapid is easy to lap from river left and can also be portaged if desired.
About three-quarters of a mile of class II-III read-and-run whitewater separates Deadline Falls from The Narrows. A small entrance rapid turns left before the river drops steeply through a narrow bedrock constriction. Scout from the right bank. The standard summer line starts left, rides a shoulder back toward center, and finishes in a large recovery pool.
Below The Narrows, the river enters a scenic stretch of deep, calm water beneath sheer cliffs before reaching Salmon Hole, the final major rapid. Scout from river left where the river bends right. Salmon Hole offers several distinct lines that vary considerably in difficulty and character.
The standard take-out is immediately below Salmon Hole on river right. Follow the steep trail to the parking area at Narrows Wayside, and watch for poison oak. Paddlers can also continue approximately two miles downstream to the Lone Rock Boat Slide take-out.
Trip Report at into the outside.
A
...At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 23.1, this is the last access before the river drops over Deadline Falls. The access is easy to miss, located at a short break in the guardrail where a steep dirt drive leaves the highway. The steep drop off from the highway may be challenging for trailers and is not readily visible when driving quickly past it. This informal access is suitable for rafts but has no amenities.
Deadline Falls is a dramatic waterfall readily visible from the highway and a pullout at North Umpqua Highway mile 22.6 offers a good place to scout it from river right on your shuttle. You can also eddy out above and scout from the left bank at river level. Multiple lines come and go with changing flows, while the classic summer line is a center-left boof. The rapid is easy to lap from river left and can also be portaged if desired.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 22.2, Swiftwater Park is a day use area along the river with social trails leading to the water. The site is not a formal river access for boaters but provides general contact access to the river for day use. The site has a toilet and picnic tables.
A small entrance rapid turns left before the river drops steeply through a narrow bedrock constriction. Scout from the right bank. The standard summer line starts left, rides a shoulder back toward center, and finishes in a large recovery pool.
Salmon Hole is the final major rapid. Scout from river left where the river bends right. Salmon Hole offers several distinct lines that vary considerably in difficulty and character.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 21.3, the Narrows Wayside is a minimally developed site providing access to the river for hand-carry craft. It is sometimes used as a take-out for those running the Narrows. The site consists of an unimproved parking area and a well-worn trail down the hillside to the river. No formal amenities are provided.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 17.9, turn onto Lone Rock Road, which heads upstream on river left. Continue 1.1 miles to the Lone Rock Boat Slide on river left. The site has limited parking and provides a boat slide suitable for trailed boats, as well as steps for hand-carry craft. The site has a toilet.
Jul 17, 2018
The final ramp at 870 cfs. July 14, 2018