California Salmon Whitewater Rafting Trips

" Wow! That's a lot of white water! We count this trip as a true rafting experience!"

Additional California Salmon River Info

Cal Salmon Home Page  Why Choose DW For Your Trip  River Level of Difficulty  Rendezvous Time and Place  Getting to the Cal Salmon  What to Bring and Wear  What We Provide

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Why Choose Destination Wilderness For Your California Salmon Whitewater Rafting Trip?
Destination Wilderness outfits great Cal Salmon trips. Consider all that we provide on this great river:

At Least Two Boats and Two Guides Per Trip. On all of our California Salmon whitewater rafting trips we always have at least two licensed guides on the water. We believe that the safest possible trip starts with appropriate staffing and that just one guide on the water is not as effective as two or more. Therefore, we always have at least two boats and two guides on each trip.

Full Safety Orientation and Gear. Before each Cal Salmon trip we provide a thorough safety and instructional presentation. As part of our full safety gear ensemble, each guest is provided with a specially designed rafting helmet, wetsuits, and when needed, paddle jackets.

Experienced Class V River Guides. Each California Salmon whitewater rafting trip trip is led by guides with years of experience rafting challenging class IV and V rivers in the northwest and beyond. This wealth of experience results in trips operated by guides who know well the California Salmon and who have the skills necessary to run the safest possible trips.

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River Difficulty
The California Salmon river is a solid class V river. The river is primarily pool and drop, which means it has rapids that are followed by calms. Nearly two dozen legitimate rapids of varying degrees of difficulty pepper this run. Long, powerful and challening class IV and/or V rapids are encountered on each day.

River Difficulty Scale: Class I is flat water and Class VI is unrunnably difficult. Class II has current with small waves and some obstacles.Class III rapids are fun and thrilling, ideal for first-time and experienced rafters. Class IV whitewater is great for experienced rafters and reasonable for fit first-timers who have had some warm-up in class III. Class V is very difficult and for experienced river rafters.

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The Rendezvous
Typical Calfornia Salmon whitewater rafting trips meet at 10:00 a.m. at the entrance to Nordheimer Campground. Nordheimer is located approximately four miles west (downriver) from the tiny town of Forks of the Salmon. Forks of the Salmon is located approximately two hours west of Yreka, California.

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Getting to the Cal Salmon Area
From the North: Take I-5 south to the Hwy. 96 west exit, approximately 14 miles south of the Oregon border. Head west on Hwy. 96 as it winds down-canyon and parallel to the Klamath River. Approximately 40 miles after passing through the hamlet of Happy Camp you will reach the small town of Somes Bar. Here, turn east on the Salmon river road and head up-canyon until you reach Nordheimer campground, which is approximately 14 miles east of Somes Bar. We meet at the entrance to Nordheimer Campground. If you reach the tiny town of Forks of the Salmon you have gone approximately 4 miles too far.
From the South: Take I-5 north to Redding, California. There, take Hwy. 299 west. Stay on Hwy. 299 until you reach the town of Willow Creek. Take Hwy 96 north to Somes Bar, and then follow the instructions above. From the west, take Hwy. 299 from Eureka to Willow Creek and follow the directions above.

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What to Bring and Wear
All California Salmon whitewater rafting trips require wet suits, which are available from Destination Wilderness and included in your trip cost. Please contact us for additional items you need to bring and wear. Multi-day trips camp along the river. There is road access to our campsites, so personal gear need not be kept to a minimum. For multi-day trips, please contact our office for a packing list.

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What We Provide on All California Salmon Whitewater Rafting Trips
Professional, skilled, experienced and licensed river guides (and they are real friendly too!).
The best river gear available, including self-bailing rafts, safety equipment, and Coast Guard approved life jackets.
Gourmet meals. All one-day trips include a filling, deli-style lunch and celebration snacks and beverages at the end of the trip.
Shuttle between the rendezvous and river.

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