Upper Klamath River Rafting

The Best Summer Whitewater In The West
"I know it’s rare, but Momentum is a company that delivers everything they promise. I have been rafting with many outfitters but they set the standard. Great guides, great food, great gear, great times. We had an amazing trip..."

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That’s All Folks!

Our 20 years of running the big summer whitewater of the Upper Klamath ended on September 4th 2023. It is the end of an amazing stretch on the Upper Klamath, the start of a new era at Momentum, and, most importantly, the start of a new era for the Klamath River.

To all who joined us on the Upper Klamath over the years –

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

 

The Upper Klamath was one of our original 2 trips and our Upper Klamath River Safari became one of our most famous and popular trips.

After 20+ years of negotiations, four dams on the Klamath river will be removed by the end of 2024. The dams provide the peaking flows that are needed to raft the Upper Klamath in the summer. The project is historic, the biggest dam removal project in human history. And it is a huge win for our environment, for fisheries, for the river, and for the tribes that have relied on it for thousands of years. It is a major step towards a healthier Klamath river ecosystem.

Find out a little more here >>
And there is a great podcast about dam removal and whitewater boating here: Last Ride On Upper Klamath’s Iconic Rapids before Dam Removal

While the current trips will not be offered in the future we have new trips and new rivers for 2024 and beyond (we are already booking trips on Arizona’s Salt River) – including a whitewater trip with an even nicer version of our Upper Klamath Bush camp!  And, we are excited to show guests new stretches of the restored river and the environmental benefits of dam removal on the Upper Klamath in 2025.

 

NEW RIVERS AND NEW TRIPS:
There are a lot of changes and so much excitement for new rivers, new trips, and a healthier Klamath River.

In late October we will be announcing our new trips and rivers and opening them up for reservations. You can sign up for our newsletter here.

 

Once again, to all who joined us on the Upper Klamath over the years –

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

 

The Wild and Scenic Upper Klamath River is home to both our signature Ashland day trip and one of the most unique, active, and comfortable 2 or 3 day whitewater and multi-sport adventures anywhere. Cutting a steep wilderness canyon through the Cascades of Southern Oregon, this stretch is one of the finest and most exciting class-IV rafting trips in the West. It is hard to beat big summer flows and rapids that are over a football field long. This is the river Momentum got its start on and the ‘Upper K’ continues to be a guide and guest favorite.

2023 WILL BE THE LAST SEASON ON THE UPPER KLAMATH
find out more and join us>>

Why Momentum on the Upper Klamath?

Momentum’s first commercial rafting trip was on the Upper Klamath and it is one of the two rivers that made us choose Ashland, Oregon as our base. We have added many other rivers and adventures to our offerings, but Ashland is still our home and the ‘UK’ will always be an integral part of our trip offerings and a guest and guide favorite. We recently built our ‘Upper Klamath Bush Camp’ to create one of the most unique, active, and comfortable trips in the U.S.
The same guides that guide our trips throughout Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and abroad run our Upper K trips – guides with a minimum of 5 years of experience on many of the world’s most difficult whitewater rivers, and guides that truly enjoy sharing the outdoors and their outdoor experiences with others.

The Upper Klamath is one of the best trips on the west coast, one of our backyard rivers, and one we know like an old friend. Join us and see why guests that have joined us on trips all over the west and abroad still try to make time for a ‘UK’ trip (or two) every year.

While other rivers are experiencing low, rocky summer flows, the Upper Klamath still has more than enough water to make it feel like spring again. Over 30 major class III to IV+ rapids, from long turbulent drops to short charges through huge standing waves, pepper this beautiful volcanic high-desert canyon. The area is rich in Old West history with old cabins, mines, and long-deserted Native American settlements dotting the run. It’s also a major stop on the Pacific flyway, making sightings of bald eagles, osprey, and blue herons regular occurrences.

The run has three different sections beginning with a fun class-III warm-up. This first stretch makes the Upper Klamath a recommended rafting trip for first-timers in good health, as they have plenty of time to learn the finer points of river running.

After historic Frain Ranch the canyon constricts, the river drops out of sight, and things completely take off. Get ready for one of the most action-packed sections of river anywhere (and for a drenching!). Starting with a long class-IV+ rapid called Caldera, the river rarely slows for the next seven miles and is packed with exciting and fun class IV and IV+ drops. Buried in the middle of this stretch is the half-mile long Hell’s Corner rapid. In the last section, the canyon opens up to mostly splashy class-II rapids and offers plenty of opportunity to check out the rich bird life.

We offer two rafting trips on the Upper Klamath: The 1-Day Trip – Our most popular quick trip from Ashland Oregon, and our 2 or 3 Day Rafting & Multi-Sport Safari trip.

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    Upper Klamath Multi-Sport Rafting Safari

    2 or 3 days | Mid June - Sept | Class IV+ | Gateway: Ashland / Medford Oregon (MFR)

    A Sunset Travel Award Finalist & Named as one of “Ten Once-in-a-Lifetime Cascadian Journeys” by Portland Monthly - Combine rafting big summer flows down rapids over a football field long, a comfortable ‘safari style’ backcountry camp (think glamping), & options for mountain biking, running, and inflatable kayaking - there is no trip like it in the U.S.

  • Learn More Upper Klamath Rafting - Whitewater Rafting - Adventure

    Upper Klamath Day Trip

    1 Day | April - Sept | Class IV+ | Gateway: Ashland / Medford Oregon (MFR)

    One of the finest and most exciting class IV+ whitewater trips in the west! Packed with over 30 major rapids there are few summer trips like it. Our signature Ashland Day Trip and arguably the best summer Class IV+ in the country.

Recent Testimonials

  • "There is no way this trip could have been any better and it will be the standard to which all future river trips will be compared. Your guides are true professionals, incredibly hard working, and just plain great people. The meal/camping situation was astoundingly good, especially given the remoteness and duration of the trip. And of course the scenery was mind-blowing, and the itinerary (loved the layover days) allowed for maximum enjoyment. THANK YOU to everyone at Momentum for showing people like me, who could never visit places like this on my own." - James
  • "This was one of the best trips I have ever taken in my life. It exceeded my expectations. I absolutely loved how your employees and guides take care of everything and how everything is just so perfectly planned. I love the attention to details. Our guide Mark was phenomenal. He was funny, informative, caring, fun, challenging, and an absolute blast. Although I didn't get to raft with Katy, every time I hung around with her, she was just amazing. I loved every part of this trip. I organized this trip as a guys trip to celebrate my 40th bday and it was absolutely what I was looking for. Thank you for existing. Thank you for your vision. And thank you for helping me have an unforgettable 40th celebration. Best river rafting company in the world! " - Tomas
  • "Flawless! – Couldn’t imagine a better run trip from A-Z. Loved the guides and the vibe surrounding the entire trip. If I’m ever looking to do another trip I will reach out to Momentum to go with them or even for advice on other companies if they don’t run that area…they are just great people."
  • "Ron and I have been on over 25 trips over the last 40 years by far the BEST TRIP, the most enjoyable, keep up the great work."
  • "I am a veteran of over 100 whitewater river rafting/kayaking trips world-wide and I must tell you that absolutely the best outfitter I have experienced is Momentum River Expeditions. From the guide (Arden) to the shuttle driver (Alan) to the food (snack before the trip, lunch part-way down the river, snack at the take-out), to the equipment they use to the river rapids (in my view many long Class IV and one Class V- rapids), this trip was awesome! Not only do I wholeheartedly endorse Momentum for the Upper Klamath but I will book them for trips on the Scott and Cal Salmon also. You would be wise to go with this outfitter!"
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