Kilchis
North Fork/South Fork to Little S.F. Kilchis River
| Difficulty | II-III+ |
| Length | 7.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Wilson River Near Tillamook, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 405 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 6, 2026 |
River Description
This run is a beautiful coastal stream flowing through scenic river canyons with crystal clear water, deep pools, and thick Pacific Coastal Rainforest vegetation. The river features some nice class II and III whitewater, with some III+ at healthy flows.
The run starts out at the confluence of the North and South Fork with a mini bedrock gorge featuring a fun series of class II and III rapids. The river soon opens up and flows through a beautiful forested river corridor--keep your eye out for elk. Just short of halfway into the run you cross under the Purcell Creek Road bridge. Downstream from this point the river flows through a fun series of class III pool drop rapids, a mixture of ledge drops and boulder gardens. The action tapers off and then Kilchis County Park appears on the right (you will recognize by the picnic tables and restrooms). The take-out is at the downstream end of the park where the Little South Fork joins the river on river left. Runs continuing downstream all the way to the coast are possible but the river quickly tapers off to a mellow float.
Logistics: A forest road parallels the run that makes for easy shuttle logistics. From Highway 101 mile 63.1 turn on to Alderbrook Road. Cross the Kilchis River and then turn right at the T junction onto Kilchis River Road. Head up Kilchis River Road towards Kilchis County Park but before you reach the park turn off on to Kilchis Forest Road and cross the river so you are heading up on river left. At mile 2.7 on Kilchis River Road you will cross the Little South Fork. The take-out is a short hike from the road down to the confluence with the Kilchis and across the river for Kilchis County Park. To reach the put-in continue on upstream and at mile 9.2 bear left at the fork to stay along the river and at mile 9.5 you will cross the South Fork. Hike your boats down to the river just downstream of the confluence to begin the run.
Flows: People guesstimate the flows on the Kilchis based off
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportI was invited to the Wilson Rendezvous hosted by Will Gehr and Teresa Gryder and we ran the Kilchis on Saturday, March 29. There is no gauge but it had been raining for a couple of days and I found out later that the Wilson gauge generally used was showing 3900 cfs; most consider 2500 on this gauge high for the Kilchis, so I've been told. Two of us walked off at the mini-gorge, myself because I had two cracks in the hull of my Jackson Karma and a canoeist because she was briefly recirculated in a significant hole. I am writing this trip report because I was not informed that this mini-gorge existed and it is not mentioned in Soggy Sneakers. The mini-gorge had probably 5 or 6 significant drops stacked inside of it, the second to last an almost river-wide ledge hole with a boat width tongue hard left. With no beta, this drop was at least class 3+ and the mini-gorge in its entirety was at least class 3+ as well, at least at this flow and with no beta. I swam this and it destroyed my Karma. Plus, this situation has largely alienated me from a significant portion of the PNW boating community. But I would rather solo anyway, especially if I am not going to get beta. Do not be lulled by the above description or the description in Soggy Sneakers! The class system is often subjective and internally inconsistent and I'm a new boater, but I have successfully ran June Creek, Bruno Mountain from Pamelia Creek, Blue River at 850 cfs, several runs with supposed class 4's, and even though I swam that mini-gorge, it rates class 4 at that flow, based on a subjective, comparative judgment. I've been down the river probably 30 times with Will and Teresa and this was an anomaly.
This is Kanako's video, I wasn't even there! But it shows the gorgeous water quality and nature of the rapids.
Ran this 1/21/24 in the drizzle with the Wilson at 2060cfs and rising,NF Trask at 2460 and rising. The first little gorge was fairly challenging for some in our group but really no more than class 3. Very scenic, lots of fun eddies. There are a few drops in the middle and end of the run that are more challenging than the rest but there's no wood to speak of.
The final rapid nearing the take-out on the Kilchis. 2500cfs on Wilson and dropping.
Paddlers resting below one of the first rapids. 2500cfs on Wilson and dropping.