Illinois River
★ Wild & Scenic🌿 Wilderness
Josephine / Curry Co. · 56 mi · Class III–IV
544CFS/ 3.65 ft
Flood→Stable
Water temp: 55°F
Optimal: 800–3000 CFS · USGS #14377100
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National Wild & Scenic River (1984) · Kalmiopsis Wilderness · Most Botanically Diverse River Canyon in North America
Oregon's most challenging multi-day wilderness float — 34 miles through the Siskiyou Mountains with no road access and no trail exits for 28 miles. The Illinois canyon contains some of the most botanically diverse terrain on earth, with rare serpentine plant communities found nowhere else. Class IV–V Preacher Falls, York Creek, and the Green Wall are Oregon benchmarks.
Trip sections
Selma to Oak Flat — Class III, road-accessible upper river
Oak Flat to Pine Flat — Class IV–V, 34-mile wilderness, no exits for 28 miles
Pine Flat to Agness — Class III–IV, lower canyon to Rogue confluence
Self-Issue Permit Required
Illinois River Self-Issue Permit
A free self-issue permit is required for all launches on this section.
Free self-issue permit at the Miami Bar put-in. Snowmelt-dependent — runnable window is roughly March through May. Class IV–V expert wilderness trip through the Kalmiopsis Wilderness with multiple mandatory portages. No road access for 30+ miles between put-in and take-out. Carry your own SPOT/InReach; cell coverage is non-existent.
Managed by: USFS Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
Cost: $0/person
More information ↗Last verified: 2025 · Always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.
Outfitters
Oregon Outdoor Adventures
Illinois River guided multi-day trips
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.