WASHINGTON RIVER RUNS

Last Updated: January 27, 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
9770 III-IV
Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)
598 III-IV
Begins Below Gorge Powerhouse To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
9770 III-IV
Headwaters To Ends Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1)
249 III-IV
Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) To Confluence With Skagit River
9770 III-IV
Headwaters To U.S./Canadian Border
436 NONE
Headwaters To Mouth At Diablo Lake
698 III-V
Headwaters To Confluence With Thunder Creek
570 III-V
Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary To Slack Water Of Ross Lake
598 III-IV
Headwaters To North Cascades National Park Boundary
436 III-IV
Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
656 NONE
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
656 NONE
Begins 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
1420 NONE
Headwaters On The Southeast Flank Of Mount Rainier At An Elevation Of 5500 Ft To Confluence With Chinook Creek
1420 III-IV
Confluence With Chinook Creek To Southern Boundary Of Mount Rainier National Park
1420 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
656 NONE
Begins 1/2 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
656 NONE
Headwaters And Includes Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
698 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
656 NONE
High Bridge Campground To Lake Chelan
656 III
Headwaters To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
656 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
656 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
656 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
1360 IV-V
Headwaters At Sutherland Lake And Includes Only The Tributaries Of Indian Creek To Confluence With Indian Creek
1360 III-IV
1.4 Miles Upstream From Confluence With Elwha River To Confluence With Elwha River
1360 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
337 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Gray Wolf River
354 IV-V
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With West Fork Dosewallips River
337 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
75 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
337 III-V
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Flapjack Lakes To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
337 III-IV
Headwaters At The Terminus Of The Ingraham Glacier To Ends 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon
1420 NONE
Begins 1/4 Mile North Of Box Canyon To Ends 1/4 Mile South Of Box Canyon
1420 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
108 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
354 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River
337 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
337 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Olympic National Park Boundary
337 V-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
337 II-IV
Headwaters To Southern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
337 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
337 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries And Excludes Scout Lake And Hagen Lake To Confluence With Duckabush River
337 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Duckabush River
268 NONE
Headwaters To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
337 IV-III
Begin At Headwaters To Confluence With Duckabush River
337 III-IV
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Dosewallips River
108 NONE
Confluence With Station Creek To Eastern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
268 III
Headwaters Includes All Tributaries (Upstream From Station Creek) To Confluence With Dosewallips River
268 III-IV
Headwaters To Confluence With Gray Wolf River
354 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Bogachiel River
1100 IV-V+
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With Bogachiel River
1100 II-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Brush Creek
1100 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Bogachiel River
1100 III
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Sunday Creek
1100 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Hoh River
1100 III
End Of Upper Hoh Road And Beginning Of Hoh River Trail. To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
1100 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Unnamed Tributary
1100 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Twin Creek
1100 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Graves Creek
337 IV-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Quinault River
337 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Mcalester Creek
656 III
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Bridge Creek
656 III-IV
Boundary Of The North Cascades National Park To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River
570 NONE
Headwaters To End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek
337 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Confluence With Quinault River
528 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Grizzly Creek
570 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Agnes Creek
656 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Agnes Creek
656 III-IV
End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
528 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Bridge Creek
570 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
528 IV-V
End Of North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With The Main Branch Quinault River
528 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Main Branch Kimta Creek
2240 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Queets River
2240 III-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Unnamed Tributaries
2240 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
528 III-IV
Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
1100 II-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Calawah River
1100 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries In Wenatchee National Forest To Confluence With Bridge Creek
570 III-IV
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With South Fork Hoh River
2240 IV-V
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Boulder Creek
656 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
20400 III-II
Confluence Of North And South Forks Of Twisp River To Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary
224 III-IV
Confluence Of Tye And Foss Rivers To Gold Bar
2400 V-IV
Quartz Road To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
478 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Quartz Creek Road
478 III-IV
Outlet Of Snoqualmie Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 III-IV
Confluence With Taylor River To Confluence With North Fork Snoqualmie River
381 III-IV
Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 12, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
572 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 29, T24n, R13e To Confluence With Cle Elum River
572 NONE
Confluence With Ranier Fork To Confluence With Bumping River
192 IV
Headwaters At American Lake To Confluence With Ranier Fork
192 III-IV
Straight Creek To Confluence With Lewis River
653 III
Confluence With Rampart Creek To Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
570 III-IV
Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Methow River
570 III-IV
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
737 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 23, T37n, R7e To Confluence With Soufh Fork Nooksack River
430 NONE
Headwaters To Confluence With Bell Creek
430 III-IV
Confluence With Brush Creek To Private Land Boundary Near Lost River In Nw1/4 Of Sec 5, T36n, R19e
570 NONE
Outlet Of Lake Wenatchee To Wenatchee Nf Boundary
2930 III-IV
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Wenatchee River
1820 IV+
Wagner Bridge To Confluence With Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
381 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
184 NONE
Brothers Wilderness Boundary To Olympic Nf Boundary
268 III
Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Bounary To Brothers Wilderness Boundary
268 NONE
Usfs Road 2870 Bridge To Confluence With Dungeness River
354 III-IV
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 18, T9n, R9e To Confluence With Straight Creek
653 NONE
Middle Of Sec 19, T8n, R7e To Confluence With Muddy River In Se1/4 Of Sec 1, T7n, R6e
653 NONE
Trail 80 Crossing In Nw1/4 Of Sec 28, T9n, R5e To Middle Of Sec 19 T8n, R7e
653 NONE
Confluence With Smith Creek To Confluence With Lewis River
653 III
(Upper Muddy Segment) Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 10, T8n, R5e To Conflence With Smith Creek
653 NONE
(Smith Creek Segment) Headwaters In Se 1/4 Of Sec 3, T8n, R5e To Confluence With Muddy River
653 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 36,T31n, R15e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
656 NONE
Nooksack Falls Diversion Dam To Nooksack Falls Power Plant
436 III-IV
Mt. Baker Wilderness Boundary To Nooksack Falls Diversion Dam
436 NONE
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf/North Cascades Np To Mt. Baker Wilderness Boundary
436 NONE
Bell Creek To Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf Boundary
249 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
572 NONE
Headwaters At Josephine Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
572 III-IV
Point At East Section Line Of Sec 13, T28n, R15e To Lake Wenatchee
318 III-IV
Olympic Nf/Olympic Np Boundary To Usfs Road 2870 Bridge
354 NONE
Sleepy Hollow Creek To Olympic Nf Boundary
354 III-IV
Silver Creek To Sleepy Hollow Creek
354 NONE
Forest Road 2860 Bridge To Silver Creek
354 III-IV
Confluence Of Milk Creek And Heather Creeks To Forest Road 2860 Bridge
354 III-IV
Nw1/4 Of Sec 9, T5n, R6e To Ne1/4 Of Sec 6, T5n, R5e
153 NONE
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 8, T4n, R6e To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
332 NONE
Junction Of Muddy And Clear Forks Cowlitz To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
1420 III-IV
Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Muddy Fork Cowlitz River
1420 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 9, T14n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
1420 NONE
Mt. Ranier Np/Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
1420 NONE
Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Clear Fork Cowlitz River
1420 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
318 III-IV
Swamp Creek To Ruby Creek
570 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
11200 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 36, T37n, R9e To South Section Line Of Sec 24, T36n, R10e
249 NONE
Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Nf/North Cascades Np Boundary To Baker Lake
525 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 5, T29n, R14e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
318 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With White River
318 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
318 NONE
Private Land Boundary To Head Of Lake Cle Elum Reservoir
192 III-IV
Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Tatoosh Wilderness Boundary
1420 III-IV
Nw1/4 Of Sec 21, T11n, R8e To Confluence With Cispus River
645 NONE
Road 2809 Bridge Crossing In Sw1/4 Of Sec 8, T10n, R8e To Nw1/4 Of Sec 21, T11n, R8e
645 NONE
Goat Rocks Wilderness Bounday To Cowlitz Falls Ferc Project Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Nw1/4 Of Sec 4, T11n, R6e
3590 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 27, T12n, R11e To Goat Rocks Wilderness Boundary
1420 NONE
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Boundary In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 32, T11n, R5e
3590 NONE
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary To To Point River Reenters Mshnvm In Se 1/4 Of Sec 11, T10n, R5e
3590 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T10n, R6e To Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Boundary
3590 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary At North Section Line Of Sec 3, T23n, R14e
572 III-IV
Pasayten Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
570 III-IV
Confluence With Tungsten Creek To Pasayten Wilderness Boundary
11 NONE
Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
224 III+-IV
Confluence Of South Fork Wolf Creek To Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary
224 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
38 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Sauk River
1060 III-IV
Headwaters In Nw1/4 Of Sec 6, T29n, R14e To Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary
1060 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 7, T31n, R9e To Boulder River Wilderness Boundary
1040 NONE
Ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T40n, R46e To Nw1/4 Of Sec 5, T40n, R46e
112000 NONE
Canyon Creek To Confluence With North Fork Stillaguamish River
1040 V-IV
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 14, T29n, R10e To Confluence With Canyon Creek
1040 NONE
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 13, T28n, R12e To Bridge In Sec 21, T28n, R12e
38 NONE
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 13, T6n, R7e To Hemlock Road Bridge In Nw1/4 Of Sec 26, T4n, R7e
1330 NONE
Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary To Maximum Pool Of Swift Reservoir In Nw1/4 Of Sec 35, T7n, R6e
778 NONE
Mt. Adams Wilderness Boundary To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
653 III-V
Headwaters In Ne1/4 Of Sec 35, T9n, R10e To Mt. Adams Wilderness Boundary
1160 NONE
West Fork Pasayten From Holman Creek To Confluence With Middle Fork Pasayten
11 III-IV
Private Land Boundary To Okanogan Nf Boundary
570 III
Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness Boundary To Private Land Boundary Near Lime Creek In Se1/4 Of Sec 18, T33n, R20e
454 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With West Fork Miller River
302 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Tye River
572 IV
Headwaters At Outlet Of Trico Lake In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 5 T24n, R14e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With West Fork Foss River
302 II-III
Headwaters In Sw 1/4 Of Sec 11, T24n, R13e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 NONE
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Foss River
302 III-IV
Outlet Of Delta Lake To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 III-IV
Confluence Of East And West Forks Of Foss River To Confluence With Tye River
302 III-IV
Headwaters In Se 1/4 Of Sec 14, T26n, R13e To Confluence With Foss River
302 NONE
Lake Dorothy To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 III-IV
Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With East Fork Miller River
302 III-IV
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 31, T24 1/2n, R11e To Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary
302 NONE
Confluence Of East And West Forks Of Miller River To Confluence With South Fork Skykomish River
302 III-IV
Headwaters At Outlet Of Blanca Lake To Usfs Road 63
38 IV+
Confluence With Troublesome Creek To Confluence With South Fork Skykomish River
2400 III
End Of Usfs Road 63 To Confluence With Troublesome Creek
38 III-V
Headwaters In Sw1/4 Of Sec 19, T29n, R14e To Boundary Of The North Fork Sauk Portion Of Skagit Wsr
1060 NONE
Hemlock Road Bridge To Gifford Pinchot Nf Boundary
1330 III-V
Bridge To Confluence With North Fork Skykomish River
38 III-IV
Summit Creek To Mouth Of Little Klickitat
1220 NONE
Headwaters In Se1/4 Of Sec 25, T31n, R16e To Glacier Peak Wilderness
656 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness To Cottonwood Trailhead In Sw1/4 Of Sec 7, T28n,R19e
318 NONE
Cottonwood Trailhead To Private Land Boundary In Ne1/4 Of Sec 29, T28n, R19e
318 NONE
Glacier Peak Wilderness Boundary To Confluence With Skagit River
3070 V+
Usfs Road 63 To Confluence With North Fork Skykomish River
38 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