WASHINGTON RIVER RUNS

Last Updated: January 4, 2026

Washington state offers a plethora of exciting whitewater and kayaking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. One popular destination is the Skykomish River, known for its Class III and IV rapids that provide a thrilling adventure for experienced paddlers. The best time to tackle the Skykomish is typically during the spring and early summer when streamflow levels are higher, creating challenging conditions for an exhilarating ride. Other notable rivers for whitewater rafting and kayaking in Washington include the Wenatchee River, Tieton River, and the White Salmon River, each offering unique experiences for paddlers of all skill levels.

When embarking on a whitewater adventure in Washington, it is crucial to check streamflow levels and weather conditions beforehand to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. It is also recommended to have the necessary gear, including a helmet, life jacket, and appropriate clothing for the cold water temperatures. Additionally, it is wise to paddle with a group and have knowledge of the river's features and potential hazards to navigate the rapids effectively. With its stunning scenery and diverse river options, Washington is a prime destination for whitewater and kayaking enthusiasts looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience in the Pacific Northwest.

       

Location Streamflow (cfs) Difficulty (class)
Begins Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1) To Confluence With Skagit River
4650 III-IV
Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)
598 III-IV
Begins Below Gorge Powerhouse To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
4650 III-IV
Headwaters To Ends Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1)
342 III-IV
Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) To Confluence With Skagit River
4650 III-IV
Headwaters To U.S./Canadian Border
757 NONE
Headwaters To Mouth At Diablo Lake
904 III-V
Headwaters To Confluence With Thunder Creek
501 III-V
Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary To Slack Water Of Ross Lake
598 III-IV
Headwaters To North Cascades National Park Boundary
757 III-IV
Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
570 NONE
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
Begins 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
2660 NONE
Headwaters On The Southeast Flank Of Mount Rainier At An Elevation Of 5500 Ft To Confluence With Chinook Creek
2660 III-IV
Confluence With Chinook Creek To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
2660 NONE
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Including Hilgard Creek And Sable Creek To Ends 1/2 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
Begins 1/2 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
570 NONE
Headwaters And Includes Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
904 NONE
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Including North Fork Rainbow Creek, Bowan Creek, And Bench Creek To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
High Bridge Campground To Lake Chelan
570 III
Headwaters To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
Headwaters Of 12 Unnamed Tributaries Between High Bridge Campground And Lake Chelan To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream Of 12 Unnamed Tributaries Between High Bridge Campground And Lake Chelan From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
570 NONE
Headwaters In The Mystic Lake Basin On The North Side Of Mount Rainier To Northern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
2550 III-IV
Headwaters At Sutherland Lake To Confluence With Elwha River
1750 IV-V
Headwaters At Sutherland Lake And Includes Only The Tributaries Of Indian Creek To Confluence With Indian Creek
1750 III-IV
1.4 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Elwha River To Confluence With Elwha River
1750 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
566 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Gray Wolf River
446 IV-V
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With West Fork Dosewallips River
566 NONE
Downstream Waters Of Ozette Lake To Mouth At Pacific Ocean And Does Not Include Portion Within Ozette Indian Reservation (Rm 0.7 To Rm
91 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
566 III-V
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Flapjack Lakes To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
566 III-IV
Headwaters At The Terminus Of The Ingraham Glacier To Ends 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon
2660 NONE
Begins 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon To Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon
2660 NONE
Headwaters On The Nw Slope Of Mount Rainier At Carbon Glacier To Confluence With Ipsut Creek
2550 IV-V
Confluence With Ipsut Creek To Western Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
2550 III-IV
Headwaters At 5700 Ft In The Royal Basin And Includes All Tributaries Within The Park To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Forest
66 III-IV
Headwaters At About 6000 Ft. In Basins On The North Side Of Gray Wolf Pass And Includes All Tributaries Within The Park To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Forest
446 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River
566 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
566 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Olympic National Park Boundary
566 V-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
566 II-IV
Headwaters To Southern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
566 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
566 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Scout Lake And Hagen Lake To Confluence With Duckabush River
566 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Duckabush River
399 NONE
Headwaters To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
566 IV-III
Begin At Headwaters To Confluence With Duckabush River
566 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Dosewallips River
66 NONE
Confluence With Station Creek To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
399 III
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries (Upstream From Station Creek) To Confluence With Dosewallips River
399 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Gray Wolf River
446 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Bogachiel River
913 IV-V+
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With Bogachiel River
913 II-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Brush Creek
913 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Bogachiel River
913 III
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Sunday Creek
913 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Hoh River
913 III
End Of Upper Hoh Road And Beginning Of Hoh River Trail. To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
913 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Unnamed Tributary
913 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Twin Creek
913 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Graves Creek
566 IV-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Quinault River
566 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Mcalester Creek
570 III
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Bridge Creek
570 III-IV
Boundary Of The North Cascades National Park To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
501 NONE
Headwaters To End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek
566 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Confluence With Quinault River
424 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Grizzly Creek
501 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Agnes Creek
570 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Agnes Creek
570 III-IV
End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
424 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Bridge Creek
501 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
424 IV-V
End Of North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With The Main Branch Quinault River
424 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Main Branch Kimta Creek
2510 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Queets River
2510 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Unnamed Tributaries
2510 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Downstream From The End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
424 III-IV
Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
913 II-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Calawah River
913 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries In Wenatchee National Forest To Confluence With Bridge Creek
501 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Hoh River
2510 IV-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Boulder Creek
570 II-IV
The Confluence With The Grande Ronde River To Ends In The Slack Water Of The Lower Granite Reservoir, Located One Half Mile Above The Town Of Asotin, Washington
23400 III-II
Confluence Of North And South Forks Of Twisp River To Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary
328 III-IV
Confluence Of Tye And Foss Rivers To Gold Bar
3870 V-IV
Quartz Road To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
1290 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road
1290 III-IV
Outlet Of Snoqualmie Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 III-IV
Confluence With Taylor River To Confluence With North Fork Snoqualmie River
602 III-IV
Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 12, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
648 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 29, T24n, R13e To Confluence With Cle Elum River
648 NONE
Confluence With Ranier Fork To Confluence With Bumping River
279 IV
Headwaters At American Lake To Confluence With Ranier Fork
279 III-IV
Straight Creek To Confluence With Lewis River
840 III
Confluence With Rampart Creek To Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
501 III-IV
Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Methow River
501 III-IV
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
1150 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 23, T37n, R7e To Confluence With Soufh Fork Nooksack River
560 NONE
Headwaters To Confluence With Bell Creek
560 III-IV
Confluence With Brush Creek To Private Land Boundary Near Lost River In Nw1/4 Of Sec 5, T36n, R19e
501 NONE
Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
2950 III-IV
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Wenatchee River
1960 IV+
Wagner Bridge To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
602 NONE
Huckleberry Creek To Confluence With Clearwater River
2550 III-IV
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf/Mt. Ranier Np Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T17 N, R10e To Confluence With Huckleberry Creek
261 NONE
Brothers Wilderness Boundary To Olympic Nf Boundary
399 III
Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Bounary To Brothers Wilderness Boundary
399 NONE
Usfs Road 2870 Bridge To Confluence With Dungeness River
446 III-IV
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 18, T9n, R9e To Confluence With Straight Creek
840 NONE
Middle Of Sec 19, T8n, R7e To Confluence With Muddy River In Se1/4 Of Sec 1, T7n, R6e
840 NONE
Trail 80 Crossing In Nw1/4 Of Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Middle Of Sec 19 T8n, R7e
840 NONE
Confluence With Smith Creek To Confluence With Lewis River
840 III
(Upper Muddy Segment) Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 10, T8n, R5e To Conflence With Smith Creek
840 NONE
(Smith Creek Segment) Headwaters In Se 1/4 Of Sec 3, T8n, R5e To Confluence With Muddy River
840 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 36,T31n, R15e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
570 NONE
Nooksack Falls Diversion Dam To Nooksack Falls Power Plant
757 III-IV
Mt. Baker Wilderness Boundary To Nooksack Falls Diversion Dam
757 NONE
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf/North Cascades Np To Mt. Baker Wilderness Boundary
757 NONE
Bell Creek To Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf Boundary
342 III-IV
Point On Range Line To Ruby Creek
598 III-IV
Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Point On Range Line Between Sec 12, R14e And Sec 17, R16e
598 II-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To City Of Leavenworth Water Intake In Se1/4 Of Sec 28, T24n, R17e
648 NONE
Headwaters At Josephine Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
648 III-IV
Point At East Section Line Of Sec 13, T28n, R15e To Lake Wenatchee
344 III-IV
Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Boundary To Usfs Road 2870 Bridge
446 NONE
Sleepy Hollow Creek To Olympic Nf Boundary
446 III-IV
Silver Creek To Sleepy Hollow Creek
446 NONE
Forest Road 2860 Bridge To Silver Creek
446 III-IV
Confluence Of Milk Creek And Heather Creeks To Forest Road 2860 Bridge
446 III-IV
Nw1/4 Of Sec 9, T5n, R6e To Ne1/4 Of Sec 6, T5n, R5e
681 NONE
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 8, T4n, R6e To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
1050 NONE
Junction Of Muddy And Clear Forks Cowlitz To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
2660 III-IV
Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Muddy Fork Cowlitz River
2660 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 9, T14n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
2660 NONE
Mt. Ranier Np/Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
2660 NONE
Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
2660 V
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To A Point Approximately 0.5 Mile Above The Tall Timbers Range At East Section Line Of Sec 13, T28n, R15e
344 III-IV
Swamp Creek To Ruby Creek
501 III-IV
Confluence Of Canyon And Granite Creeks To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
598 III-IV
South Section Line Of Sec 24, T36n, R10e To Confluence With Skagit River
5980 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 36, T37n, R9e To South Section Line Of Sec 24, T36n, R10e
342 NONE
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf/North Cascades Np Boundary To Baker Lake
719 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 5, T29n, R14e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
344 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With White River
344 III-IV
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 21, T30n, R15e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary And Including Twin Lakes Creek In Secs 16/17, T28n, R16e
344 NONE
Private Land Boundary To Head Of Lake Cle Elum Reservoir
279 III-IV
Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary
2660 III-IV
Nw1/4 Of Sec 21, T11n, R8e To Confluence With Cispus River
1050 NONE
Road 2809 Bridge Crossing In Sw1/4 Of Sec 8, T10n, R8e To Nw1/4 Of Sec 21, T11n, R8e
1050 NONE
Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
6340 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 27, T12n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
2660 NONE
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Boundary In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 32, T11n, R5e
6340 NONE
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To To Point River Reenters Mshnvm In Se 1/4 Of Sec 11, T10n, R5e
6340 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T10n, R6e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
6340 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T23n, R14e
648 III-IV
Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
501 III-IV
Confluence With Tungsten Creek To Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
13 NONE
Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
328 III+-IV
Confluence Of South Fork Wolf Creek To Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary
328 III-IV
Headwaters In Nw 1/4 Of Sec 30, T29n, R14e To End Of Usfs Road 63 In Nw1/4 Of Sec 10, T28n, R12e
182 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Sauk River
1410 III-IV
Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 6, T29n, R14e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
1410 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 7, T31n, R9e To Boulder River Wilderness Boundary
1680 NONE
Ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T40n, R46e To Nw1/4 Of Sec 5, T40n, R46e
109000 NONE
Canyon Creek To Confluence With North Fork Stillaguamish River
1680 V-IV
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 14, T29n, R10e To Confluence With Canyon Creek
1680 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T28n, R12e To Bridge In Sec 21, T28n, R12e
182 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 13, T6n, R7e To Hemlock Road Bridge In Nw1/4 Of Sec 26, T4n, R7e
1600 NONE
Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Maximum Pool Of Swift Reservoir In Nw1/4 Of Sec 35, T7n, R6e
1590 NONE
Mt. Adams Wilderness Boundary To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
840 III-V
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 35, T9n, R10e To Mt. Adams Wilderness Boundary
447 NONE
West Fork Pasayten From Holman Creek To Confluence With Middle Fork Pasayten
13 III-IV
Private Land Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
501 III
Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary Near Lime Creek In Se1/4 Of Sec 18, T33n, R20e
388 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With West Fork Miller River
68 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Tye River
648 IV
Headwaters At Outlet Of Trico Lake In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 5 T24n, R14e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With West Fork Foss River
68 II-III
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 11, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Foss River
68 III-IV
Outlet Of Delta Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 III-IV
Confluence Of East And West Forks Of Foss River To Confluence With Tye River
68 III-IV
Headwaters In Se 1/4 Of Sec 14, T26n, R13e To Confluence With Foss River
68 NONE
Lake Dorothy To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Miller River
68 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T24 1/2n, R11e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
68 NONE
Confluence Of East And West Forks Of Miller River To Confluence With South Fork Skykomish River
68 III-IV
Headwaters At Outlet Of Blanca Lake To Usfs Road 63
182 IV+
Confluence With Troublesome Creek To Confluence With South Fork Skykomish River
3870 III
End Of Usfs Road 63 To Confluence With Troublesome Creek
182 III-V
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 19, T29n, R14e To Boundary Of The North Fork Sauk Portion Of Skagit Wsr
1410 NONE
Hemlock Road Bridge To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
1600 III-V
Bridge To Confluence With North Fork Skykomish River
182 III-IV
Summit Creek To Mouth Of Little Klickitat
1860 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 25, T31n, R16e To Glacier Peak Wilderness
570 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness To Cottonwood Trailhead In Sw1/4 Of Sec 7, T28n,R19e
344 NONE
Cottonwood Trailhead To Private Land Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Sec 29, T28n, R19e
344 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Skagit River
3840 V+
Usfs Road 63 To Confluence With North Fork Skykomish River
182 III
Similkameen River Segment 1
1350 III-IV
Snake River 4.01
27700 III-IV
Yakima River Segment 1
2990 II-III
Douglas Creek
79 III-IV
Rock Creek (Adams And Whitman Counties)
63 III-IV
Wilson Creek
2 IV-V
Yakima River Segment 2
2990 II-III
Salmon Creek
772 IV-V
Klickitat River
920 II-IV
Similkameen River Segment 2
529 NONE
Grande Ronde River (Lower)
27700 II-III