Illinois
2 - Miami Bar to Oak Flat(Illinois River Canyon)
| Difficulty | IV(V) |
| Length | 30.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Permit | Self-issued permits required and available prior to launch from Selma Market. |
| Gauge | Illinois River Near Kerby, or |
| Flow Rate as of 44 minutes | 33 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | October 9, 2024 |
The Siskiyou Mountains in Southwestern Oregon give rise to iconic wild rivers like the Wild and Scenic Illinois, Rogue, Chetco and North Fork Smith Rivers. The region is known for its stunningly clear rivers, salmon strongholds, unique and rich biodiversity, and outstanding opportunities for angling and backcountry whitewater adventures. [...]Read More
PERMITS: Permits are required year-round for all river trips on the Wild Section of the Illinois River between Briggs Creek and Nancy Creek, and group size is limited to 12. Permits are free of charge and available 24 hours a day at a self-issue display at the entrance to the Selma Market at the intersection of Highway 199 and the Illinois River/Deer Creek Road in Selma, OR. Deposit your copy of the permit in the box at the Oak Flat take-out to verify your safe return.
Drones are not permitted and Leave No Trace Principles must be followed.
SEASON: Although boatable flows can occur throughout the winter rainy season, the typical season for the Wild Section of the Illinois River is March through mid-May. Although you may be blessed with beautiful spring weather, it can typically be cold and wet so be prepared and remember that this is a wilderness trip.
CAMPING: Camping is limited at the put-in although you can likely find a spot along the road if you pull in late (try around Sixmile Creek). The other option is to grab a hotel room in Grants Pass or Cave Junction. Once on the water, the Illinois River offers one of the Pacific Northwest's premiere opportunities for an overnight wilderness trip.
Although an experienced group can make it down in a long day at higher flows, most do the trip as an overnight. Those who prefer an even more relaxing pace spend two or three nights on the river. Good sites for large groups can be found at Pine Flat, approximately eight miles into the trip. There are a couple spots here and then half a dozen additional sites through the next few miles. Once you pass South Bend there aren't any good campsites, aside from a couple 'desperation camps' that for all practical purposes are only accessible to small groups of kayakers, until you pass through the more challenging rapids of the main canyon and reach Submarine Hole.
There are a couple of sections with goo
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A standard put-in for trips on river right. Alternate access points are available upstream of this point.
Recognized by a rock cliff on the the left side and large boulders midstream from a rockslide on the right bank. Located at USGS river mile 31.0.
There is an undercut boulder in the middle of the main channel here. The move to miss the boulder is challenging and some people consider this the most dangerous rapid on the Illinois. Located at USGS river mile 30.9.
The main current flows along river left. Located at USGS river mile 30.1
A cliff runs along river right. Located at USGS river mile 29.5.
This rapid has a fun chute down the far right for rafts and kayak and is a great kayak surf wave at most flows. Located at USGS river mile 28.5.
Located on river left across from the Pine Creek confluence, Pine Bar is the most popular camp for overnight trips on the Illinois River. The camp has a high bench with several good sites for camping and can accommodate more than one group.
Pine Creek Rapid is characterized by a midstream boulder and a bedrock shelf extending out from river right that makes an easy scouting or filming platform. You can challenge the holes of the river right chute, which also create great play features during certain levels or you can sneak the drop on the left. In either case the river eases in difficulty following this drop. Located at USGS river mile 27.0.
One of the last best camp sites before you are committed to the section with the biggest whitewater. Located at USGS river mile 22.0.
A good spot to stop for a break before the pace picks up. Located at USGS river mile 17.9.
Originally known as Prelude but now typically referred to as Fawn Falls, you have a couple different options at this rapid. You can take a fun center line that involves a slide off a smooth ledge or you can punch the hole on the far left. There is also a striaght forward line down the right. Not all the lines are obvious from above so hop out for peak on river left if necessary. Located at USGS river mile 17.3.
Most use this now to now refer to the class III+ lead in to the Green Wall. Just be sure to catch the eddy and get over to the left at the bottom right above the Green Wall. Located at USGS river mile 16.9.
The rapid starts with a crux move right away. You can take a more challenging move down the center or sneak the top section down the left. You generally want to stay away from far river right where a hole forms that extends out to the left as flows increase. After the entry move you'll want to work your way into the main current, and as you enter the bottom half of the rapid you want to stay generally down the center off the right wall and away from holes on river left. The main hazard with this rapid is the potential for trouble at the first entry hole that could lead to a swim with significant down time through the holes sprinkled over the rest of the rapid. Located at USGS river mile 16.8.
This rapid is a widely spaced boulder field with a couple of holes to zig zag your way through. Although much less powerful than the Green Wall upstream, this one does present a technical challenge with a couple of options. Located at USGS river mile 16.0.
Boulder garden rapid. Located at USGS river mile 14.6.
Submarine Hole is the last major drop of this section. You can run Submarine Hole on the far left to sneak the hole which grows as flows increase. Located at USGS river mile 14.0.
Take on river right a short distance upstream of the confluence with the Rogue River where a large bench provides convenient access to the river and plenty of parking.
