Klickitat
3 - Icehouse Campground to Turkey Hole Fishing Access
| Difficulty | II-III |
| Length | 11 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 26 fpm |
| Gauge | Klickitat River Near Pitt, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 43 minutes | 1280 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 2, 2024 |
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
This is a great class II-III whitewater run that is largely roadside with a few access options, including some that are suitable for rafts.
The run starts at the Icehouse, an old dry-ice production facility from the 1930s, that was acquired by Washington State in 1972 and is now a campground and boat launch. The site is referred to as Icehouse, Mineral Springs, or Klickitat Springs.
The rapids are mostly class II but below 8 Mile Access things start to pick up to class II+. The biggest rapid on the run, Dillacorte Rapids, comes at the end just upstream of Turkey Hole and is a fun class III wave train.
River Features
Icehouse Campground, Mineral Springs Boat Ramp Put-In
Mineral Springs Boat Ramp is a concrete ramp on river right at the Icehouse Campground located in Klickitat Springs. Located at Highway 142 mile 15.3. Dispersed camping and a toilet are available at this site administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Klickitat Ramp
On river right in town at the street end on 1st Street. Located at Highway 142 mile 13.1.
Pitt Bridge Access
On river right upstream of the Pitt Bridge. Unimproved landing. Located at Highway 142 mile 10.2. Site administered by Washington State Parks.
Mile 8 Access
Unimproved access on river left. Located at Highway 142 mile 8.2. Site administered by Washington Department of Natural Resources.
Mile 7 Access
Low bank access on river left. Located at Highway 142 mile 7.2. Site administered by Klickitat County.
Mile 5.5 Access
Low bank access on river left that can provide a take-out option before Dillacorte Rapids. Located at Highway 142 mile 5.6. Site administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Ishi Pishi (aka Dillacorte Rapids)
The most significant rapid on this stretch. It is a class III with a fun wave train. It is visible from the highway.
Turkey Hole Fishing Access Take Out
Access on river left. Located at Highway 142 mile 4.8. Site administered by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportWe floated from Upper Pitt to 5 Mile Ramp on 8/30/2025 at ~750 cfs in 12' rafts, IKs, SUP, inflatable canoe. Despite this being half of the 'recommended' AW flow amount, it was fine. We had a bunch of kids aged 4-9 with us, and they all had a great time. The water is warmer than the White Salmon, less splashy, and there is a lot more sunshine. All these things are important for keeping the kids happy. This run took about 2 hours with some stops and relaxed pace. Good times!
A beautiful spring day for a trip on the Klickitat River from Icehouse Campground to Turkey Hole fishing access with Megi Morishita, Bethany Overfield, and Thomas O'Keefe. The float time was 2 hours.
Rafting down the lower Klickitat River in March