CLACKAMAS RIVER OUTDOOR RECREATION MAP

The upper Clackamas River, between its headwaters in the Mt. Hood National Forest and the
community of Estacada, is beloved for its untamed beauty—where rocky gorges rise from
the banks of the river, paddlers are thrilled by challenging whitewater rapids and forests of
old-growth Douglas fir mingle with wildfire-scarred stands in the wake of a 2020 wildfire.
Get on the accessible stretch of water with help from these outfitters:

Blue Sky Rafting: The local outfitter has been leading trips on the upper Clackamas River for more than 25 years—offering half-day and full-day trips geared toward paddlers of all skill levels. The full-day trip includes lunch and covers all of the river’s major rapids.

eNRG Kayaking: Paddlers can sign up for a half-day tour that includes Class III+ rapids. 

River Drifters: Take a rafting trip through a series of roaring Class III and Class IV rapids with an experienced guide; half-day and full-day outings are available.

Oregon River Experiences: Choose a half-day or a full-day, 13-mile trip on the upper Clackamas River—all while navigating thrilling rapids and relaxing on family- friendly pockets of river.

As the Clackamas River winds through Estacada and passes Milo McIver State Park, paddlers leave behind technical rapids and rugged forests for a slower float surrounded by riverside homes, pastoral farmland and riparian forests teeming with wildlife. Outfitters along the lower Clackamas are happy to rent gear, lead tours and provide shuttle services. Here’s how to get started:

Clackamas River Outfitters: Helpful guides at three convenient locations around Estacada are happy to help with gear sales, paddle craft rentals, guided tours, lessons (on flatwater and whitewater) and advice on where to get on the water along the Clackamas River.

eNRG Kayaking: Enjoy a selfguided float—which includes your tube, an optional life jacket and optional shuttle services. Guided tours, which cover somewhat mellow Class I and Class II rapids, are also available. eNRG is currently the only outfitter providing shuttle services along the lower Clackamas—and a shuttle-only option is available for a small fee if floaters bring their own gear.

Northwest Whitewater Adventures: The local outfitter offers rentals and leads tours on popular stretches of river—covering a family-friendly mix of Class I and Class II rapids in just less than two hours.

Oregon River Rentals: As the name implies, the local outfitter rents float tubes, a variety of kayaks (including whitewater and recreational paddle craft) and stand-up paddleboards—as well as nice to have gear like dry bags and soft coolers.

Every spring and summer, the lower Clackamas River transforms into ground zero for some of the region’s best-loved outdoor opportunities. Here, floaters blow up inner tubes, slide into their kayaks and pass a variety of landscapes—including forests, farmland and rocky canyons. Only the occasional rapid breaks up the easy-going flow on this scenic stretch of river.

Broadly speaking, the lower Clackamas River runs from Estacada and Milo McIver State Park to where it empties into the Willamette River at Oregon City. Along the way, a handful of put-in and take-out spots invite visitors to enjoy a float suited to their appetite for adventure.

If you’d like to join the fun and float the lower Clackamas, here are a few tips to get started.

Stretch your legs and savor the verdant forests throughout the Clackamas River corridor. 

Barton Park is one of the most popular put-in points on the Clackamas River— but hikers enjoy walking 1.5 miles of mostly flat trails that pass knee-high ferns and in the shadow of towering fir trees. Closer to Estacada, 14 miles of paths at Milo McIver State Park hug the shore of Estacada Lake, follow the banks of the Clackamas River, head past the Clackamas Fish Hatchery and cover many of the park’s ecosystems—including floodplains, open meadows and stately forests. The sheer number of trails make it easy to craft a hike suited to your abilities and time constraints. 

Across the upper Clackamas River watershed, numerous trails head through growing forests and showcase wide-open views of the surrounding wilderness. The family-friendly Hawk Mountain Lookout Trail #564 measures four miles (round-trip) and gains about 600 feet; highlights include colorful wildflower displays in June and July, a historic lookout cabin and views of several Cascade peaks—including Mount Jefferson and Olallie Butte. For a more challenging trek, the Riverside Trail #723 totals 7.8 miles (round-trip) with an elevation gain of 140 feet. Gradually climb through old growth trees as you take in views of the Clackamas River and due to its low elevation, this hike can be enjoyed in all four seasons of the year.

If hiking in the upper Clackamas River watershed, don’t rely on your mobile device for accurate directions; rather, reach out to the Mt. Hood National Forest for the latest on road closures and to plan your ideal route.

Anglers enjoy no shortage of prolific fishing holes throughout the Clackamas River corridor.

Sitting along the North Fork Reservoir of the Clackamas River, Promontory Park hosts a kids-only fishing pond—affectionately nicknamed Small Fry Lake—that’s stocked with rainbow trout in early summer; away from the pond, Promontory Park also hosts tent and RV sites, cabins, a play area, boat launches and an on-site camp store.

Along the Oak Grove Fork of the (upper) Clackamas River, Lake Harriet Campground and Day-Use Area surrounds a 22-acre pond that’s stocked with rainbow trout—and home to native brown trout. A barrier-free fishing dock is available to anglers in wheelchairs.

The lower Clackamas River offers something to catch all year long—with plentiful coho in October and November, steelhead runs lasting from December to April and a summertime mix of steelhead and Chinook salmon.

The Clackamas River is the heart and soul of the region’s water-based recreation—but it’s far from the only place to paddle.

Estacada Lake is a dammed stretch of the Clackamas River that provides calm conditions for easy paddling; get on the water at Milo McIver State Park, where Clackamas River Outfitters rents kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, or across the river at Timber Park.

On the North Fork Reservoir area of the Upper Clackamas River, Promontory Park hosts boat launches and a marina where you can rent a wide variety of paddle craft—including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pontoon boats.

This area is a disc golf paradise with a number of courses. The 27-hole Riverbend Disc Golf Course at Milo McIver State Park draws disc golfers all year long with a variety of holes geared toward players of all skill levels—most of which can be found in a bucolic forest. Just across the water, Timber Park hosts a secluded 21-hole course that takes players through a mix of shady forests and open meadows. 

And at Metzler Park, disc golfers enjoy nine holes of year-round play and 18 holes of play during the winter—with a back nine, accessible October-April, that heads through the park’s campground.

Looking to pitch a tent or park your RV? You’ll find plenty of quiet campgrounds along the Clackamas River.

Along the lower Clackamas, the pet-friendly Barton Park hosts more than 100 sites—most of which come with water and electric hookups. Milo McIver State Park, meanwhile, offers more than 50 sites – both offer hot showers, flush toilets and easy access to each park’s many attractions. In Oregon City, the sun-kissed Clackamette RV Park hosts nearly 40 sites along the Willamette River; amenities include walking paths, river access, drinking water and electric hookups.

Along the Upper Clackamas River, the family-friendly Promontory Park hosts sites for tents and small RVs, cabins and even yomes—canvas-sided tents that reside on platforms and sleep up to five. Other amenities include restrooms, showers, children’s activities, fishing docks and a camp store.

Further upstream, the recently reopened Rainbow Campground hosts 17 sites along the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. Nearby, Bagby Campground provides an idyllic home base for visiting Bagby Hot Springs; all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Elsewhere in the area, Raab Campground caters to families and large gatherings with a half-dozen shady group sites.

Dedicated road cyclists love pedaling the Cascading Rivers Scenic Bikeway—a state-designated route that heads southeast from Estacada before ending at Detroit Lake in the heart of the Cascade Range. In all, the challenging route follows two rivers, passes the occasional herd of elk and twists and turns in the shadow of jagged rock formations over the course of 71 challenging miles. Several campgrounds line the path, so you can turn your trip into a multi-day outing.

Wildlife sightings are common along the Clackamas River corridor, where dozens of species converge in quiet, forested landscapes.

Spring- and summertime floats on the lower Clackamas River, in particular, offer plentiful chances to spot beavers, river otters, black-tailed deer and a variety of raptors (including bald eagles and ospreys) away from crowded corridors.

Keep an eye out when floating between Milo McIver State Park, Barton Park, Carver Park, Riverside Park and Dahl Beach. Even in Oregon City, the region’s largest community, opportunities abound to see several captivating varieties of bird. Warblers, great blue herons, swifts, Canada geese and other species are routinely sighted at Clackamette Park.

(That said: We ask that you refrain from feeding the ducks and geese that congregate in the park’s meadows—since human food can harm the birdsand impact bird behavior.)

Several varieties of mushroom grow in abundance throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest—making the area around Estacada a popular place to forage for morels, chanterelles and other varieties.

Visitors can collect up to one gallon of mushrooms per day (and 10 gallons per year) for personal use without needing a permit—but should consult with a Clackamas River Ranger District employee who can show where mushroom picking is permitted, provide maps and pass along helpful tips for a safe, fun outing.

The popular Bagby Hot Springs reopened in 2024 after nearly four years of closures due to the Riverside Fire. After a mostly flat hike to the hot springs, which sit next to a tributary of the Clackamas River, soakers can choose among two bathhouses and an open deck in the shadow of towering fir trees. Bagby is one of the area’s most popular outdoor destinations, so try hitting the trail by 9 a.m. and visiting midweek; also note that the road to Bagby Hot Springs is not plowed in winter, rendering it largely inaccessible between November and April.

Many of the public lands around Molalla are managed by the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Parks or the Mt. Hood National Forest. Some trailheads and day-use areas on these lands are free of charge, while others require a small day-use fee or valid recreation pass. We’ve noted where fees are required throughout this map, but contact the appropriate land manager (either by calling local offices or visiting their website) to learn more about costs, how to acquire the proper permits or passes, and when fees are required. Also note that campgrounds generally require a nightly fee.

Plan Ahead
Prepare before you head out, consider what you want to see and experience, your group’s physical abilities and what’s realistic to do in the time you have. Can you visit off peak to avoid crowds?

Be Ready
Check conditions. Pack your Ten Essentials. Got the right shoes for the terrain? Water? Cell phone? You may not always have coverage, so take a picture of the trail map or bring one with you. Consider hiring a guide.

Don't Forget
Let someone know where you’re headed and when you plan to be back. Tuck some cash in your pocket for park fees (that help maintain our natural spaces).

Make Smart Choices
Know your limits and when to stop for the day. Follow the signs; they’re there to tell you important stuff like how to avoid injuries and not get lost.

Be Respectful
If you’re lucky enough to spot wildlife, use your zoom lens and observe from afar. Share trails with others. Know who manages the land you access and what the rules and regulations are.

Keep It Natural
Stay on designated trails and areas to protect the landscape. Don’t take anything home but your trash—and please, please take your trash with you. Make wildfire prevention a top priority.

Enjoy Yourself
Experiencing the quiet, awe-inspiring beauty of nature can not only uplift your spirits, it can improve your health. Think of Oregon’s vast outdoors as your place to relax and recharge.

Say Hello
Greet fellow adventurers and spark a conversation. Check in at a visitor center, ranger station and/or local business to learn from the locals, grab a map and gather local insight.

Spread Goodwill
Share your knowledge with others if it’s helpful. Support the community— eat, drink, shop and stay local. Stop by cultural centers to learn our history and relationship to place.