Itinerary Guided Half or Full Day rafting trip (class II,III & IV rapids)

The classic Upper Clackamas guided whitewater rafting trip is typically from Sandstone Bridge to Moore Creek, is 11.5 miles long and is usually paddled in 3 or more hours (unless you are racing!). 

Both access points have parking for at least a dozen cars, and between them are all of the major Class III-IV rapids (12 named rapids rated Class III or higher).*

Landscape background

The run starts and ends in the rugged Clackamas River gorge, a steep sided forested and rock outcropping canyon that separates the hills and floodplains of the lower Clackamas and the high mountain tributary drainages that feed into the Upper Clackamas segment. Many trees were burned in the 2020 Riverside fire and much of the topography is starkly exposed. However, it also shows the quick comeback of many native trees and shrubs, and the landscape is rebounding. 

The water is typically crystal clear in the summer, with run-off silt and mud occurring only after heavy rains and snow melts. It is also cold: average summer temperatures rarely rise above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Amenities

Sandstone Bridge, the put-in, has the traditional raft railings to help get big boats down the steps. Moore Creek, the take-out, has railing but no steps. Moore Creek does have toilets (concrete building with pit toilets), but Sandstone does not. There are five toilets along this section (in order from upstream to downstream). 

1. Hole in the Wall parking area
2. Lockaby campground (above Carter Falls)
3. Carter Bridge parking area
4. Big Eddy parking area
5. Moore Creek parking area

Half day trips are the most popular and are usually scheduled for AM and PM runs. Full day trips often cover the same stretch of river but stop for more site seeing and a picnic lunch. 

Who to select for a guide? 

We recommend exploring the Guides and Outfitter page for more information on each outfitter/guide service. Know that not all guided trips start or finish as described above, but most of them generally run the classic 11.5 mile stretch for both full and half day trips. 

* NOTE: Summertime flows – and when most guided rafting occurs – are typically lower for this wild & scenic drainage (no dams upstream to regulate flow) and many outfitters, guides and other website downgrade all of the Class IV ranked rapids to Class III+. The rapids actually get narrower and more technical at lower flows but the water speed and turbulence is lower.