Scott
2) Jones Beach to Klamath River(Scott River Canyon)
| Difficulty | IV-V |
| Length | 17 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 47 fpm |
| Gauge | Scott R Nr Fort Jones Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 36 minutes | 167 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | April 14, 2025 |
River Description
The Scott River is a whitewater gem in far Northern California that was first boated in 1969, making it one of the earlier boating runs in this area. Originating in the Scott Mountains of the Trinity Alps Wilderness and the Salmon Mountains of the Russian and Marble Mountain wildernesses, it flows through the pastoral Scott Valley before plunging into a rugged horseshoe-shaped canyon as it wraps around the Scott Bar Mountains. For more than 20 miles, the Scott delivers varied and exciting whitewater before joining the Klamath River at Steelhead, California.
The Scott River Canyon is very scenic too. From a point on the river just upstream of Deep Creek, the upriver view to Boulder Peak rises more than 6,000 vertical feet above the river. There are some gorgeous rocks in the river, particularly near Kelsey Creek, where swirled marble boulders have washed down from Marble Mountain and the Kings Castle. The downriver end of the canyon shows signs of wildfires on both sides of the river, most recently from the 2022 McKinney Fire.
Despite its spectacular setting and excellent whitewater, the Scott is often overlooked, partly due to its brown, sediment-laden water from valley runoff—unlike the typically clear, emerald-green rivers and streams nearby. Catching it at good flows is also challenging, as a drying climate and agricultural diversions in Scott Valley have shortened its season and volume considerably, sometimes even eliminating a boating season altogether. The valley’s alluvial aquifer, heavily drawn for irrigation, must recharge through rains and snowmelt before the river downstream will reach boatable flows.
The Scott offers a number of diverse runs downstream of Scott Valley: 1) a Class II/III section in the upper canyon that is rarely boated, 2) a Class IV/V reach below Jones Beach featuring the highly technical Boulder Creek Falls, 3) the more commonly run Class IV stretch from Bri
...River Features
Boulder Creek Access
Access is an informal access site available on river right a short distance upstream of Boulder Creek Rapid. It is located where the river comes up against the road at mile 15.2 with convenient lowbank access.
Unnamed Rapid
This rapid is on a slight left bend and features a sizable hole in the middle. It is the last rapid before Boulder Creek Falls. This is also the last place to exit the river in this vicinity where the road is close to river level without steep banks to climb up.
Boulder Creek Falls
Boulder Creek Falls can't be missed! It's the largest, most congested rapid on the river and it is highly visible from Scott River Road. Most boaters put in below here to avoid it, but there's a technical line through the drop for hearty kayakers and small craft boaters. Boating this drop also sets you up for a fun run down Canyon Creek Rapid just downstream.
Canyon Creek Rapid
A long rapid that spans the reach of river just upstream and just downstream of Canyon Creek, a significant tributary that enters on river left. Buker Bridge spans the river just below the end of this hole-filled rapid.
Buker Bridge
Buker Bridge is a good access point that, when used as a put-in, allows boaters to avoid Boulder Creek Falls located upstream but gain some additional whitewater that they would miss when putting in downstream at Bridge Flat. Buker Bridge is on Canyon Creek Road, a dirt road off Scott River Road. Unfortunately, the bridge is just downstream of Canyon Creek Rapid, a long and fun rapid that's quite busy.
Unnamed Rapid
First rapid downstream of Buker Bridge.
Unnamed Rapid
Easily visible from Scott River Road.
Island Rapid
The river splits around an island. Most of the flow and all of the fun whitewater are on the left side.
Kelsey Creek Rapid
A long rapid just downstream of Kelsey Creek, a significant tributary that drains the marble high country and enters on river left. Be sure to eddy out behind some of the magnificant marble boulders and crazy rocks that form this rapid.
Bridge Flat River Access & Campground
Located in the heart of the river canyon, Bridge Flat offers access to the river left side of the Scott River on the downstream side of the Scott River Road bridge. There is also a small campground that is open year-round and is a great place to stay for multiple days of boating on the Scott. Siskiyou Telephone has a free public phone at the river access parking area. Use it to get the latest flow reading by calling Waterline at 1-800-452-1737 and entering 063492 for the Scott River near Fort Jones.
Big Rock
There are several large rocks in this general area of river, but one is bigger than the rest. Kayakers: be on the lookout for good splats in this zone.
Unnamed Rapid
Unnamed Rapid
Unnamed Rapid
White House
One of the larger rapids on the Scott, White House was named for the obvious white house on river left that was subsequantly painted brown. Now, the newer and much more voluminous Scott River Lodge occupies the river left, overlooking this rapid, which still goes by its original name. It's a long rapid with two boisterous breaking wave/holes (or just waves or just holes, depending on flow) at the bottom. Most boaters run down the right side but there's a left line too.
Tompkins Creek Rapid
A fun rapid just downstream of Tompkins Creek, a smaller tributary that enters on river left. Nice flat rocks make a good lunch spot.
Gold Flat Rapid
At higher flows, this rapid has some fun big waves.
Gold Flat River Access
One of the many signed access points along the river, not many boaters use Gold Flat since the good whitewater continues downstream. The access provides easy access to a fun playspot (requires a short upstream attainment to reach) and local Scott River boaters have used this access for park & play.
Townsend Gulch River Access
Can be used as a take-out to cut the run short before reaching Shuler Gulch Rapid. The river access is signed along Scott River Road.
Schuler Gulch Rapid
The last of the large rapids on the Scott.
Scott Bar Bridge
It's possible to take out in the little town of Scott Bar, using the county road bridge right-of-way for legal access (everything else is private property). If you're looking for a few more miles of Class II/III or a less urban take-out, continue past Scott Bar to take out at Steelhead or a couple miles further at Sarah Totten Campground on the Klamath.
Steelhead Take-Out
Steelhead was once the name of the area around the confluence of the Scott and Klamath. Most of the river accessible land here is now owned by a mining club and occupied by RVs. Make nice and you may be allowed to take out here or use the right-of-way at the Highway 96 bridge or continue downriver on the Klamath to Sarah Totten Campground to get out.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportA few scenic shots of the Scott River that I shot on slide film in the late 1990s.