Klickitat
1 - Yakama Reservation to Leidl Campground
| Difficulty | III+ |
| Length | 22 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 53 fpm |
| Gauge | Klickitat River Near Pitt, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1180 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 21, 2026 |
Projects
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
While the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act provides the strongest protection for conservation of rivers, other legislation has provided protection of rivers from hydropower development. Section 13 of the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area Act includes important river protection measures. The Wind, Hood, and Little White Salmon were protected from [...]Read More
River Description
Kayakers and rafters usually flock to this popular section of the Klickitat around Memorial Day weekend. The put-in road typically remains snowed in at least through early spring, so it's a good idea to get a road report before making the trip (see Bennett's book for an entertaining story of two rafters who flagged down a snowmobile shuttle).
The upper put-in, typically used only by kayakers, is a very steep slope at the reservation boundary. Bring some rope to hold onto the end of your boat. At least you don't have to carry your boat—it carries you. Otherwise, you can lower each boat down on its own 70' rope. The upper section starts out steep and fast but still rates Class III+. You are in a gorge, so once you're committed there is no access. The run is incredibly beautiful, with perfect basalt columns rising 400 feet straight out of the river in some places. The rapids consist of slides that lead directly into big basalt headwalls, and there are several fun wave trains. Boat scouting should be fine, although things happen fast and wood hazards are common.
After a couple of miles, the rafter put-in at Parrot's Crossing is reached, and the run continues with a few bigger Class III rapids before calming down a bit to easier Class III. Much of the run is continuous and requires paddlers to have a strong roll. Swims can be long and abusive, even at the lower end of the runnable flow. While the gradient begins to ease with bigger meander bends, wood is a constant hazard that shifts from year to year. This is the most beautiful section of the river, with the largest cliffs of basalt columns. In the last three miles, the character of the river changes with fewer headwalls and easier Class II+ boulder gardens, except for one mile of continuous Class III ending about a mile above the fish hatchery.
Most kayakers take out on small beaches in the forest on river right above the hatchery and the weir. Rafts often continue, running the weir on the left and
...River Features
Yakama Reservation Boundary Put In
From the town of Glenwood head 0.5 miles east toward Goldendale and turn north on to Mt. Adams Rd. Follow this road 2.3 north to the T junction and turn left on the K1000 road. Kayakers typically continue to road mile 6.2 and a pull-out where a steep trail at the Yakama Reservation boundary marked by a sign. If you reach the Cougar Creek bridge at mile 7.1 you've gone too far. At the reservation boundary you can scramble down into the canyon to the point where Muddy Creek joins the Klickitat. It is a steep slope and a rope can be helpful for controlling the descent of your craft.
Parrots Crossing Put-in Access
Parrot's Crossing, a few miles downstream of the reservation boundary and provides much easier access and great riverside camping. This site is typically used by rafters or for those who wish to skip the more challenging rapids and wood hazards upstream. From the town of Glenwood head 0.5 miles east toward Goldendale and turn north on to Mt. Adams Rd. Follow this road 2.3 north to the T junction and turn left on the K1000 road. Turn off the K1000 road at mile 3.3 head down into the canyon on the K1400 road (it may not be marked). Head down 0.7 miles and then turn right on K1410 and continue another 1.5 miles. At that point head left and continue on down to the river. A good launch for rafts and some nice camp sites are available at this access point which is about half a mile downstream from Dairy Creek.
Rattler
Rapid as the river bends around to the left.
Diamond Back
Hatchery Drop
Fish Hatchery Upstream Access
The hatchery access on river right upstream of the bridge has been the standard take-out for most kayakers and day trippers. The access is reached from mile 3.1 on the Glenwood-Goldendale road. Turn northeast (you should see a sign for the hatchery) and follow the road 3.1 miles down into the canyon (the last mile is a series of switchbacks).
Fish Hatchery Weir
Lowhead Dam hazard
Fish Hatchery Downstream Access
The hatchery access on river right downstream of the weir is a put-in for those running downstream from the fish hatchery. The access is reached from mile 3.1 on the Glenwood-Goldendale road. Turn northeast (you should see a sign for the hatchery) and follow the road 3.1 miles down into the canyon (the last mile is a series of switchbacks).
Borde Rapids
Boundary Rapids
Summit Creek Access
This is a good access point for a short class II run down to Leidl or on to Stinson Flats. At mile 11.3 on the Glenwood-Goldendale Road turn onto the forest road across from the mill that descends down to the river. You will be on river right with views of the river and in 3.4 miles you will reach the Summit Creek Bridge. You can put in on the downstream river left side of the bridge. Note however that the road is marked for no parking along the road. You can continue upstream on river left and there are additional informal access points as you continue upstream. At mile 7.5 the road starts to climb up away from the river and at mile 9.2 you will reach the fish hatchery gate which is closed to public access on river left.
Leidl Campground Take Out
Access on river right below the bridge in the campground. Concrete ramp. Located at Glenwood Highway mile 12.6. Administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe did an overnight trip from Parrots Crossing down to Leidl. The pace was fast with continuous rapids and we discovered we traveled 3.5 miles in the first half hour. The run was relatively clean but there were a few log jams along the sides. The hatchery weir was no problem to run down the left although it was a bit shallow immediately downstream of the weir on the river left side. We carried over to the island downstream of the weir and put in on the right channel.
We paddled from Summit Creek Bridge down to Icehouse. The segment from Summit Creek to Leidl took about 40 minutes.
No wood requiring special attention in the main channels from Parrott Crossing to the Hatchery as of August 13, 2017. Just a couple spots where wood protruded from the banks, easily avoided. 1200 cfs.
All smiles on the way to a put in at Parrott Crossing.
No more log jam! We ran the from Parrot Crossing to the Hatchery today, and when we approached the basalt cliffs section, there was no more jam to be found. We were very confused because all the beta we had received prior to making the run told us that the log jam was present. After cross checking with google maps, we can confirm that the jam is no longer present and the run is clear. However, beware of logs downstream. Some must have been blasted free in high water and have been lodged along some cliff walls further downstream.
Clear run, fun run. All the good things.
To add to Cope's warning, its at the second basault cliff you'll see. We also tried to leave a warning at the put in, but its unprotected on regular paper so wont last weather well. Here is a link to Google Earth where the river splits to two channels, the right channel which has the log jam. The water level was significantly higher than what you'll see in the URL, so dont expect the channels to be so distinct with such a large island between the two:
I am sorry I dont know what this area is called. Stay left Very dangerous
STAY LEFT
OK, its mostly a dog picture, but that is the
Klickitat.