Outdoor Recreation...
Fishing
Winter Sports
Mountaineering
Water Sports
Birding
Hiking
Golfing
Bicycling
Gold Panning
Hunting

Guides & Adventures

Lodging in Siskiyou County
RV and Camping in Siskiyou County
Dining & Fine Foods
Shopping & Galleries
A Virtual Tour

The Wild West!
Arts & Music
Nature & Ecotourism
Railroad Heritage
Town Festivals

Seniors Travel
Families & Kids!
Handicap Travel
Spiritual Visitors
Heritage Travel

Water Sports in Siskiyou County
Swimming, Boating, Whitewater Rafting, Kayaking, and Paddling.

Whitewater Rafting | Kayaking | Boating, Canoes and Windsurfing
Guides & Outfitters

The river season in Siskiyou County begins with the first snowmelt in early spring, and the fun lasts throughout the summer and into autumn's beauty! With its combination of whitewater, wildlife, and fabulous mountain scenery, a rafting or kayaking adventure in Mount Shasta Country is an unforgettable experience. Contact any of the area outfitters and river guides for latest river conditions and availability of guided trips, and for their schedules through spring and summer, the height of the boating season.

Motor boats, fishing boats and Klamath River drift boats bring more Siskiyou County boating fun. Jet ski rentals at Lake Shastina, and waterskiing on some of northern California's nicest reservoirs, offer adventures for those who love speed and splash. Canoe trails and quiet mountain lakes create a special opportunity for wildlife viewing and bird watching. Windsurfing is popular in the spring and fall.

Click to read a story of water's importance to Siskiyou County from our news archives: It's the Water.
Lake
Photo courtesy of Michael Kirwin
at Osprey Outdoors Kayak School.

  
FEATURED SERVICES

Forest Lodge Motel
63712 Highway 96
Happy Camp, CA 96039
530-468-2438
$45 - $80
www.forestlodgemotel.com
Full service motel with comfy Queen Beds, Cable TV, Microwave and Frig in every room. Great rates! Great location. Fishing and rafting shuttle services available.
The Fun Factory
Snowmobile rentals at Deer Mtn. Snowmoble Park
Watercraft Rentals at Lake Shastina
530-926-7070
Ski, snowboard, mountaineering, outdoor

The Fun Factory is your snowmobile rental source in Northern California...watercraft and ATV rentals upcoming! Winter or summer, we have your recreation covered!

Klamath River Resort Inn
61700 Hwy 96
Happy Camp, CA 96039
530-493-2735
www.klamathriverresortinn.com
Res@klamathRiverResortInn.com
Historic riverfront lodge on 4 acres of lawns featuring cal king beds, satellite TV's, full kitchens, BBQ's, free WiFi internet, free morning coffee, Pets OK. $59 to $79 (also 2 bedroom luxury suite with living room, dining room & kitchen)
Living Waters Recreation
www.livingwatersrec.com
706 Carmen Dr.
Mt. Shasta CA 96067
800-994-7238, 530-926-5446
raft@snowcrest.net
The best of the best, bringing families and friends together. 5 Star quality rafting adventures from MILD to WILD. Half to multiple day adventures. Fond memories guaranteed.
Marble Mountain Guest Ranch
www.marblemountainranch.com
92520 Hwy 96
Somes Bar, California 95568
1-800-Klamath (552-6284)

Exciting family or group outings! Enjoy a Northern California dude ranch vacation at the Marble Mountain Guest Ranch. Horseback trail riding, whitewater rafting, swimming, hiking, delicious meals and majestic scenery.

Otter Bar Lodge
14026 Salmon River Road, Forks of Salmon, CA 96031
530-462-4772 otterbar@gmail.com
www.otterbar.com
Whitewater kayak school on the Cal Salmon. Seven day program includes world class lodging, meals, and professional instruction.
River Dancers Whitewater Adventures
302 Terry Lynn Ave., Mount Shasta, CA 96067
800-926-5002 ⋅ 530-926-3517
www.riverdancers.com

Guided rafting and kayaking trips on the playful rivers of far northern California and Oregon. Class II to V. Family and kids' trips. Yoga trips.

Turtle River Rafting Co.
www.turtleriver.com
PO Box 313
Mt. Shasta CA 96067
800-726-3223, 530-926-3223
raft@turtleriver.com
We offer whitewater rafting adventures for all ages. We go big in the spring and specialize in family trips all summer long.
Sandy Bar Ranch
797 Ishi Pishi Rd. - PO Box 347
Orleans, CA 95556
530-627-3379
www.sandybar.com
Our riverside cabins have a complete kitchen, living room, bathroom, bedroom and outdoor deck overlooking the river.. Large organic garden and great swimming hole!

Mt. Shasta Ranch Bed and Breakfast
1008 W. A. Barr Road
Mt. Shasta CA 96067
530-926-3870
$80-$135
www.stayinshasta.com
Spacious and elegant country inn offering spacious suites, full counry breakfast and unsurpassed Shasta view. Only 1 mile to golf and fishing at scenic Lake Siskiyou.

  Whitewater Rafting
Mark-Gibson-photo River rafting is fun for everyone! Family float trips provide an opportunity for parents, grandparents and children to reconnect while enjoying the natural beauty along one of Siskiyou County's wild and scenic rivers. Children as young as three will delight in the excitement of "running" playful Class II rapids, while older children can learn to paddle an inflatable kayak or enjoy tubing along side the raft.

Experienced rafters will find some of the best Class III to Class V whitewater in the country from spring through summer on the Salmon, Scott, Upper Klamath and Upper Sacramento Rivers. Just a half hour from downtown Mt. Shasta, boaters can put in on the Upper Sacramento at Sims, where a steady stream of rapids keeps paddlers and guides busy all day. In springtime, the Class IV and V sections of the Salmon are full of big holes, technical moves and strong hydraulics that guarantee to keep your heart pounding. For more spring excitement, try the class IV and V sections of the Scott, winding through a remote canyon with tight technical boulder gardens, big drops and white knuckled excitement. Through the spring and long beyond, some of the best summer whitewater on the West Coast is found on the Upper Klamath.

Booking a rafting trip with an experienced guide service is your best way to have a safe, exciting and unforgettable experience. Boating equipment, state of the art life jackets, meals and beverages are included in the cost. Trips are available to suit everyone, from mellow waters just right for young families, to rapids for beginners and experienced adventurers...from one day outings to multiple day camping excursions.
  • Links to check water levels in Siskiyou County rivers and streams at the Shasta Paddlers web site.
  Kayaking
Kirwin-kayak Kayaking is one of the fastest growing sports in the country, and the exciting waters of Siskiyou County provide the perfect environment for learning and expanding kayak paddling skills. Several guide companies offer instruction, from beginning classes to advanced playboating clinics. Lessons vary from a few hours to several days, with all equipment provided.

Gentle lake sit-on-top kayaks are also available on Lake Siskiyou as rentals from the beach at Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort.
 
Boating, Canoes and Windsurfing
Jackson-photo Fishing boats are allowed on most lakes in Siskiyou County, but there are some restrictions on motors in Wildlife Areas and smaller mounain lakes. Check with Fish and Wildlife or a nearby ranger station for special restrictions. Speedboats, jet skis and waterskiing are allowed on the McCloud Reservoir, Lake Shastina, Copco Lake and Iron Gate Reservoir. These lakes are all uncrowded, picturesque, and with camping and services nearby.

The Fun Factory, based in Lake Shastina, is your source for jet ski rentals at Lake Shastina. Lake Siskiyou Camp Resort offers boat rentals from paddle boats to motorized fishing boats and family-sized patio boats.

Canoeing is popular at many of the smaller lakes and wildlife areas. Castle Lake is a favorite for locals. It is fun to paddle up to the small waterfalls along the cliff across from the parking area. Also check out the Canoe Trails at the Tule Lake, Upper Klamath, and Klamath Marsh Refuges near Tulelake in Eastern Siskiyou County. The Upper Klamath canoe trail is the most extensive and diverse of the trails. It is also open year round. The Tule Lake and Klamath Marsh canoe trails are open from July 1 through September 30 each year. Canoes may be rented for use at Upper Klamath Refuge from nearby concessionaires.

Windsurfing is best in the spring and fall on both Lake Siskiyou and Lake Shastina, favorite spots for short-board windsurfers.

www.visitsiskiyou.org
Siskiyou County Visitors' Bureau
PO Box 1138, Mount Shasta, CA 96067 USA
CONTACT US
© Siskiyou County Visitors Bureau
Joanne Steele - Rural Tourism Marketing

Artworks web design & management

Small photos: Rafting courtesy Mark Gibson Photography, Kayak courtesy Osprey Outdoors, Fishing boat courtesy John Jackson Photography.