White Salmon
River Rafting
Rafting the White Salmon River is one of the best-kept recreation secrets of the northwest! The
White Salmon
River is located only 90 minutes from the Portland/Vancouver area. This
river offers some of the best class III-IV rapids around and the glaciers of
Mt.
Adams combined with the immense aquifers in the area, keep the White Salmon
bubbling all summer long! The river cuts its way through one of the most
beautiful, constricted and heavily forested gorges around. The water is
gin-clear, the weather is fabulous and rapids are big and numerous; making the
White Salmon River one of the most exciting 1/2-day river trips in the west!
The White Salmon Trip
Whitewater Thrills Option: River Drifters offers half-day trips
on the White Salmon River. In the Spring, the river tumbles and charges
its way down a narrow basalt canyon. The rapids are big & bouncy with many
large waves and powerful holes. With rapids like Maytag, Corner Cave,
Grasshoper, Siwash, Corkscrew, Waterspout, Stairstep, Highway Hole, Rattlesnake,
Deadmans' Corner (and many more), you will absolutely love this trip. This
phenomenal trip is eight miles in length and the first five miles is continuous
class III+ and IV rapids! Trips run daily, starting in March and lasting
into November, meeting at 9:30am or 2:30pm!
As the Spring days run long and the snow begins to recede, the water levels
become lower and the trip becomes more playful. Its at this point
(mid-Summer and Fall, when many Northwest rivers are reduced to a trickle) that
we shift our trip dynamics a bit. We launch 2 miles upstream (beyond)
the normal commercial launch to begin our trip deep in the canyon (thanks to
some wonderful private property owners). By launching upstream, we add
2 more miles of class IV water (including rapids like S-turn,
Top-Drop, The Flume, Bombers' Drop and more)! We also portage around BZ
Falls, which is one of the most beautiful and picturesque sections of the river.
We are extremely privileged and fortunate to offer this, not only for the extra
rapids (and to give you more rapids per trip than anyone else) but we truly get
to enjoy a canyon untouched by man. We then conclude the trip with the
grand finale: Husum Falls. Husum Falls is completely optional and
you must meet certain age guidelines to paddle this drop, many people walk
around and sometimes the entire boat will portage this rapid. In short,
this trip is all fun and offers the most rapids! Trips run daily,
starting in March and lasting into November, meeting at 9:30am or 2:30pm!
Who Can Go?
The White Salmon River trip is available for the family with kids older than
12 (in May and June) and older than 10 (in July, August and September). If you
have kids under these ages you should consider a Deschutes River
trip that is more suitable for kids.
During both the Spring and Summer months, our guests must be able to walk a
sloping trail to the river and/or during a portage, please be sure that walking
such a trail is not a problem for you.
Alcohol is illegal on the White Salmon River, the Forest Service
has mandated that rule for everyone's safety. Please be respectful of this
rule. If you show up impaired or under the influence of any alcohol or
substances you will not be allowed on the trip and forfeit the trip price.
What We Provide
River Drifters provides all the necessary gear to stay warm and comfortable
on your adventure (wetsuits, paddle jackets and helmets), all free!
For a comprehensive list of things to bring for all weather, please
see our Spring
and Fall Trip List!
Trip Prices
Make Reservations
All prices include a professional guide in every boat life jackets, helmets, wetsuits,
& paddle jackets (if needed)!
*Group discounts are given for 12+, 24+ and 40+
people!
More about Group
and Team Building Trips
**This
institution is an equal opportunity provider and operates under a special use
permit from the USDA Forest Service.
Getting to the River
click the below links for directions!
Camping & Lodging
(most are within 30 minutes from our shop)
Peterson Prairie Campground: 8 miles west of Trout Lake via Highway
141. This campground does take reservations for both individual and group
sites by calling (800) 280-2267. Travel Time to Meeting Spot: 45 minutes.
More Camping in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest
(Comprehensive List)
More Camping Options (Comprehensive
List)
Lodging in the Area
Expected Weather
Check the Local Area Forecast
or try:
www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=Hood+River+Oregon
site
map
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