Paddling near Klamath, CA

Klamath sits in Del Norte County in the far northwest corner of California, where the Klamath River meets the Pacific. The river is the centerpiece of paddling here — California's second largest, and now free-flowing for the first time in over a century following the historic removal of four hydroelectric dams in 2024. The Lower Klamath cuts through the remote Klamath Mountains, drawing kayakers and canoeists to its warm water, Class II–III rapids, sandy beaches, and exceptional wildlife. Yurok Canoe Tours, departing from Klamath itself, let visitors paddle traditional dugout redwood canoes on the river with tribal guides.