Little Naches
Matthew Creek to Little Naches Campground
| Difficulty | II-III+(IV) |
| Length | 9.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 1, 2019 |
Projects
The Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests encompass more than four million acres and are jointly managed with headquarters in Wenatchee, Washington. The rivers flowing through these forests are essential to the whitewater paddling community—both as close-to-home runs for Washington residents and as classic objectives for paddlers traveling from across [...]Read More
River Description
This is a beautiful little tributary on the Naches. This valley has an extensive network of trails for ORVs.
Logistics: Take Highway 410 to mile 92.1 and take FR 19 up the Little Naches River. It's 0.1 mile upstream to the Little Naches campground which is the take-out and located just upstream of the Highway 410 bridge across the river. Unfortunately there is no designated river access from the campground and your only option is to wander through someone's campsite. The popular alternative is to continue on another mile or so downstream to Sawmill Flat on the Naches River. The Sawmill Flat Campground is located at Highway 410 mile 93.3 and provides a picnic and day use area with good river access. To reach the put-in head up FR 19 along river right on the Little Naches. At mile 3.8 you will see Fish Ladder Falls and cross a couple of bridges. Your next bridge will be the put-in at mile 8.1 which is just downstream of the Matthew's Creek confluence.
River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportPaddled upper 5 miles of Little Naches on 5/4/25, down to fish ladder, Naches gauge about 2500 cfs, level felt low-medium. I use the word 'paddled' loosely. 10 tree portages, many other trees in play, gorge had 3 full portages, one possible duck with serious consequences for blowing it. The end of class 3+ stretch is a big-ass-tree-jam-from-hell, not going anywhere until a maybe a mega-flood. Class 5 moves needed, several must make eddies, swimming anywhere is a very poor life decision. 0.25 stars, would not recommend. Good news: fish ladder falls is clean, great park-n-huck fun at 2500 cfs! Go check it out.
A fish ladder on river right has been constructed to
\'help\' salmon get up the river. This drop is easily
visible from the road.