Clackamas River, River and recreational waterway in Clackamas County, Oregon.
The Clackamas River is a river in Oregon that flows from the slopes of the Cascade Range through forests and canyon sections before joining the Willamette River near Oregon City. Along its course, calm stretches alternate with rapids, making it a waterway that suits different kinds of outdoor activity depending on the season.
Indigenous peoples, including the Clackamas band of the Chinook, lived along the lower sections of the river for thousands of years, relying on its fish runs as a main food source. When European settlers arrived in the 19th century, the river became a route for trade and access into the Willamette Valley.
Along its banks, fishing for salmon and steelhead has been a local tradition for generations, and you can still see anglers casting lines at many points along the river. Whitewater rafting on the lower stretches draws people looking for a challenge, giving the river a role as a recreational landmark for communities across the region.
The river has multiple access points along its length, and conditions can vary a great deal between seasons, so checking current water levels before heading out is a good habit. For the more demanding stretches with rapids, experience on moving water is helpful, as currents can be strong.
The river is home to one of the last wild populations of late-winter coho salmon in the entire Columbia Basin, a fact that sets it apart from most other rivers in the Pacific Northwest. During spawning season, these fish can be spotted moving through shallow sections, offering a rare chance to observe something that few people realize is still happening here.
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