With the removal of four Klamath River dams now complete, 45 miles of newly restored river between Keno and the former Iron Gate Dam offer exciting new opportunities for boating. Several access sites that American Whitewater helped champion during the dam removal process will open for use beginning May 15, 2025, though most will have temporary limitations as construction continues this summer.

Before heading out, it’s essential to check the current status of each access site and follow all use guidelines to help protect natural and cultural resources—and to ensure continued river access for everyone.

In particular, many paddlers are eager to explore K’íkac’éki Canyon (formerly Wards Canyon). The two access points serving this run—K’utárawáx·u (Grizzly Hill) and K’účasčas (Fall Creek)—are on lands being returned to the Shasta Indian Nation, whose deep ancestral ties to this landscape deserve recognition and respect. It’s critical that the boating community honor these lands and the conditions of access through them. Until these sites fully open in August 2025, they will have limited hours of access (see details below). If you’d prefer to avoid the timing restrictions, you can launch at Access Point 1 and take out at the Iron Gate River Access—a 16-mile run with K’íkac’éki Canyon in the middle of it.

The information below is intended to help the whitewater community understand the status of each access point, and how to be respectful visitors to this remarkable, newly undammed stretch of the Klamath.

Keno Dam

Open to the public. This put-in is located on river right below Keno Dam and is accessed via Old Wagon Road on federal land. A high-clearance vehicle is required. An alternate option is to paddle across the reservoir and portage around the dam on river right. The former park on river left, managed by PacifiCorp, is currently closed. The land is expected to be transferred to the State of Oregon, and we are hopeful the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will reopen it as a day-use site later this year.

Pioneer Park West

Open to the public. Located on river right, just downstream of the Highway 66 bridge, this site is being developed as a take-out for the Keno Run and can be used as a put-in for an extended Big Bend Run. A concrete ramp is already in place. The site will be open daily from 7 AM to 7 PM starting May 15, 2025, with limited amenities. Full opening is expected August 1, 2025. Currently owned by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, it is expected to be transferred to the State of Oregon.

Moonshine Falls River Access

Closed to the public. Located on river right, immediately downstream of the former J.C. Boyle Dam site, this is the typical put-in for the Class IV+ Big Bend Run. The site will be developed with improvements including a raft slide and stair access, but construction is not yet complete. It is currently owned by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation and is expected to transfer to the State of Oregon. Limited access is expected soon, with full opening on August 1, 2025.

Spring Island

Spring Island is open to the public as of May 2, 2025. This is the standard put-in for the Hells Corner Run and take-out for the Big Bend Run. The site is located on federal land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

Spring Island was closed during the Klamath dam removal process for public safety. American Whitewater advocated for reopening the site as soon as safely possible, and while the process took longer than expected, the BLM now intends to keep the site open.

Please note: parts of the nearby areas are undergoing active ecological restoration. If you observedamage or vandalism of restoration areas, report it to the BLM Klamath Falls Field Office at 541-883-6916.

Frain Ranch

Open to the public. This is an alternate put-in for the Hells Corner Run, located on river left, immediately upstream of Caldera Rapid. A high-clearance vehicle is required. The site is open and will remain available as long as PacifiCorp owns the property.

Stateline River Access

Open to the public. This is an alternate take-out for the Hells Corner Run, located on river left at Stateline Falls. A high-clearance vehicle is required. The site is open and will remain accessible as long as PacifiCorp owns the property. The adjacent campground is on BLM-managed public land.

Access 6

Open to the public. This is the standard take-out for the Hells Corner Run and put-in for the Beswick Run, and is accessible with standard-clearance vehicles. It will remain available as long as PacifiCorp owns the property, though we do not expect PacifiCorp to be the long-term owner. Note: The gate may occasionally be closed for ranch operations.

Access 1

Open to the public. This is the put-in for the K’íkac’éki Valley Run through the former Copco Reservoir footprint, and for now, is the primary put-in for the K’íkac’éki Canyon and Iron Gate runs. It is accessible with standard-clearance vehicles and will remain open as long as PacifiCorp owns the property. PacifiCorp is not expected to be the long-term owner.

K’utárawáx·u Access (Grizzly Hill)

Once completed, K’utárawáx·u (pronounced Koo-TAH-rah-Wah-hoo) will serve as the primary put-in for the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run and the take-out for the K’íka·c’é·ki Valley Run, located on river right (pronounced KEE-kah-TSEH-kee).

We anticipate this access point will be open starting the week of May 19th on weekdays only, during the following hours:

• 12:30 - 1:30 PM
• 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Gates will be locked and access unavailable outside of these hours--plan ahead. Parking will be limited and a port-a-potty will be on-site. 

The site was originally scheduled to open May 15th but this has been delayed due to recent inclement weather and resulting poor access road conditions. Please check KRRC’s website on Monday, May 19 for status updates on the site opening: klamathrenewal.org/recreation. Afull opening is expected August 1, 2025.

Until then:

• Do not attempt alternate entry routes. This area is sacred, ecologically sensitive, and privately owned.

• This land is being returned to the Shasta Indian Nation.

• Please help build a strong, respectful relationship with the Shasta Indian Nation by visiting only during the scheduled hours and respecting access and use limitations.

K'účasčas Access (Fall Creek)

Once completed, K’účasčas (pronounced Ku-chas-chas) will serve as the primary take-out for the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run and put-in for the Iron Gate Run, located on river right.

A temporary river access site on river left will open May 15, 2025, with daily hours from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. 

Gates will be locked and access unavailable outside of these hours--plan ahead. Parking will be limited and a port-a-potty will be on-site. 

To get to the temporary access site, cross the Klamath River using the Daggett Bridge off Copco Road.

A full opening of the new river access on river right is expected August 1, 2025.

Until then:

• Do not attempt alternate entry routes. This area is sacred, ecologically sensitive, and privately owned.

• This land is being returned to the Shasta Indian Nation.

• Please help build a strong, respectful relationship with the Shasta Indian Nation by visiting only during the scheduled hours and respecting access and use limitations.

Iron Gate Access

Open to the public. This is the take-out for the Iron Gate Run and is on the river right immediately downstream of the double bridges below the former Iron Gate Dam site. The site is open and features a drive-up concrete boat ramp. Additional improvements are underway. Please avoid interfering with any construction activity. Afull opening is expected August 1, 2025. The site is currently owned by Klamath River Renewal Corporation but is expected to be transferred to the State of California.