| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 4.6 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 30 fpm |
| Gauge | Trask River Above Cedar Creek, Near Tillamook, or |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 96 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 17, 2026 |
The South Fork Trask run is a neat coastal paddling experience near Tillamook, beginning as a rather small creek, and consistently adding flow throughout the run before ending as a river on the main Trask. The first section is read and run and while wood may be present portages are possible but not expected, keep an eye out from the road as you run shuttle. An option for anyone especially at low water, but most often done by large inflatable craft is to start the run at the EFSF confluence and continue downstream through the middle and possibly lower Trask.
After a bridge the EFSF confluence is a significant rapid lined by low bedrock banks that rates class IV at higher flows, it can be pushy with hydraulics capable of flipping kayakers, it can be scouted on the right.
Below another bridge the SF flows alongside a residential area and things ease up for a bit. At the end of the residential area is a rather pretty area with a cascade coming out of a culvert on river-right as the river bends left. Just downstream of this scenic spot is a class III-III+ ramp that can be scouted on the right.
The North Fork Trask enters from the right shortly downstream, increasing the flow by 100% or more and boaters find themselves on the mainstream Trask. Keep an eye out for surf spots while floating through a quality section of class II water.
About 1.5 miles downstream of the NF/SF confluence and just after a left turn in the river comes Sphincter, which can be scouted from river-right. An open class III start funnels into a low gradient ramp with a notable hydraulic to punch through. Class II water continues downstream to the take out at Stone Road Boat Ramp.
The put in is here at Hollywood camp where Edwards Creek flows into the SF Trask. Upstream the riverbed becomes cobbled and more prone to wood.
Apr 16, 2026
April 18, 1200 cfs, low end of kayak-able: Priscilla and I paddled the South Fork Trask from our campsite at Hollywood Camp (Edwards Creek confluence) to the NF confluence after a day of work in the Tillamook area. We found the run to ramp up nicely, getting more interesting as we paddled downstream. While I would use the Stones Road take out next time, we were short on time so added that last part of the run to our trip the next evening. We found quality whitewater in a quality setting.
Dec 1, 2017
Mile 3.5 class III rapid with ledge drop at the end.
Dec 1, 2017
Put-in with easy walk to the river a few hundred yards downstream of the fish hatchery.
Dec 1, 2017
Tristen Nolasco comes through the last class III rapid on the South Fork Trask River before the confluence with the North Fork Trask. 1500 cfs on Trask River above Cedar Creek gauge (~700 on the South Fork).