| Description: The Wild & Scenic Illinois River runs for 50.4 miles through the forests & steep canyons of the Siskiyou Mountains. The 29-mile wild section , through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness, contains 150 challenging Class III-IV rapids & one tricky Class V. Between the rapids, the river pools quietly, offering excellent spawning habitat for salmon & steelhead. Fishing for salmon, trout, & steelhead is is catch-and-release only.
The weather during spring runoff is usually cold & wet, with cold water. Drysuits or wetsuits are strongly recommended, along with, plenty of fleece, polypropolene, wool, & warm camp clothes are necessary. Water levels on the Illinois can rise as much as ten feet overnight due to rain or melting snow. Be prepared to stay an extra day or two if necessary to wait out high flows. Typically, low flows requiring technical boating skills are below 1000 cubic feet per second (cfs), ideal boating levels are between 1500 & 2500 cfs.
Location: Put-in at Briggs Creek Campground & take-out at Oak Flat Campground. The designated section runs from the boundary of the Siskiyou National Forest downstream to its confluence with the Rogue River. Permits available at the Selma Market, at US 199 & Illinois River Road. Leave your permit at the Oak Flat takeout, so rangers can verify your safe arrival.
Season: March - mid May
Fee: free permit required; available at Selma Market.
Reservations: no. |
Supervisor`s Office, Siskiyou National Forest, Illinois River Campground Web Site |
Campground: Supervisor`s Office, Siskiyou National Forest, Illinois River in Grants Pass Oregon *