Upper Klamath Day Trip

The Best Summer Rafting In The West

TRIP LENGTH

1 Day

WHEN TO GO

April - Sept

WHO IT'S FOR

Class IV+
for experienced and
beginner paddlers.
Minimum Age 12

TRIP COST

$220

ACTIVITIES

Rafting

GATEWAY CITY

Ashland / Medford Oregon (MFR)

MEETING LOCATION

Ashland, OR
 
"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..."

based on 71 reviews - more reviews >

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!!!

 

 

Our most popular day trip from Ashland – run over 30 major class III to IV+ rapids on big flows all summer long.  Cutting a steep wilderness canyon through the Cascades of Southern Oregon, the Upper Klamath 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.

We pick guests up at their hotel in Ashland between 8 and 9 in the morning and return between 5 and 5:30 – back in time for a shower and dinner before the plays. Besides the amazing whitewater and beautiful canyon the trip also includes a continental breakfast and a big lunch.

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 the warm up the canyon constricts, the river drops out of sight, and we enter the famous “Hells Corner” section of the canyon – beginning with a 150 yard rapid known as ‘Caldera’. There are very few stretches of summer whitewater like it.

The Upper Klamath is one of our original ‘backyard’ rivers, and one we know like an old friend. Find out 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.

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Why Momentum on the Upper Klamath

• Momentum’s first commercial rafting trip was on the Upper Klamath - it is our 'back-yard' river and and one we know like an old friend.
• A small company committed to amazing trips & our wild places.
• Safety: All our guides have a minimum 5 years of experience leading trips around the world. The same guides that guide our trips throughout Oregon, Northern California, Idaho, and abroad run our day and half day trips.
• Excellent meals featuring local and organic produce & products.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off From the Ashland area.
• Most importantly - we are friendly, we love what we do, and it shows!

Learn more >>

Recent Testimonials

  • "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!"
  • "I wanted to take a moment to complement you on your company and crew. I took a quick trip down the Upper Klamath last Friday, July 3rd. I checked out your website which was definitely one of the best outfitter sites I've ever seen. I haven't been out on the water as much as I'd like and jumped at the chance to do so. Needless to say I was not disappointed. Eric was my guide for the day and as I'm sure you know his service is second to none. While I can't speak for the rest of the people that day, I can say that he made the experience that much more enjoyable. His knowledge of the area and his craft was nothing short of amazing. While I was with Eric most of the day, Adam, Jon E, and Derek where also equally as awesome; I had the opportunity to pick all of their brains at one point or another during the day. I grew up on the rivers of Montana and used the opportunity with your world class crew to sharpen my knowledge on the rivers of Oregon. Don't worry, I wont be starting an outfitting business anytime soon, I know I wouldn't be able to compete with the business you've started and fostered into a truly great business that has a solid future no matter the economic outlook. Thank you again for providing such a great service. Here at Nike one of the principles we live by is "There is No Finish Line". I employ you to adopt the same mentality. You have a truly great business and will only benefit to continue building upon it. -ACS "
  • "“…Arden– why did the cucumber go out with the raisin?? He couldn’t get a date… I just wanted to let you know that we had a FANTASTIC time on the Klamath with Eric and Zac! They were WONDERFUL, CONSIDERATE and SO KNOWLEDGEABLE—-true professionals! It was such a memorable experience…..one that will last forever! "
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