The Upper Clackamas River from Three Lynx to North Fork is a great 13 mile winter/spring run close to Portland, OR. You'll experience continuous class II/III whitewater with some class IV excitement thrown in. This is among the most popular rafting trips in northern Oregon due to it's proximity to Portland, great whitewater, camping opportunities, and classic Pacific Northwest scenery. Oregon 224 follows the river which makes it easy to scout rapids and do a shorter run. Oregon has more Wild & Scenic Rivers than any other state and with plentiful rainfall, it is an ideal state to raft and kayak all year round. The Clackamas River is one of the most popular Whitewater rafting rivers in the Portland Oregon area.
Definitely be careful at Hole in the Wall Rapid (IV) where a river left eddy/whirlpool has trapped many a boater. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to exit this without scrambling over wet rocks and using ropes to line the boat to safety.
There are tons of places you can choose to put-in or take-out. There is river access at Three Lynx, Fish Creek, Carter Falls, Big Eddy, below Toilet Bowl, Memaloose, and more. After Toilet Bow (III+), the river is mostly Class II down to North Fork Reservoir.
Each May, the Clackamas River is the home of the Upper Clackamas River Festival. This is a weekend full of raft and kayak races, gear workshops, fantastic vendors, and spending time with awesome boaters.
