Oregon whitewater, Collawash River Clackamas county, Elk Lake Creek to river mile 5.5 section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III-IV(V)     5 miles   This section of Collawash River in Clackamas County is 5 miles long and is a class III-IV(V) section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in Oregon tend to be more challenging than the national average, so if you're visiting here do keep in mind that rivers here are less forgiving. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just being out on the river for a while will make you glad you came.     This stretch is mid length, you can easily run it on an afternoon. You might be into whitewater rafting or kayaking or both, doesn't matter, this area has a large number of paddling rivers. The starting location is a reasonable drive from Hood River, please print out a copy of the road map further down the page so you won’t get lost. The Central Cascade Range scenery is wonderful. This is one of a small number of paddling stretches in this river system, there are a few others too. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. The nature scenery of Clackamas County and the playfulness of the   water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. For all you camping people there are campgrounds nearby. Briefly about the general area: Detroit Lake State Park is a splendid location to pop by; going for a hike on the Janus Butte Trail is always a splendid adventure. So much fun stuff to do in the Central Cascade Range, not enough time. A tour to Detroit Lake State Park revives the soul; there is a great hiking trail close by called the Bull of the Woods Trail. This river is so great. Collawash River sees pretty high levels of rain. The wettest month of the year is typically December, that's the one that rains the most; July is when it's the driest. Collawash River, Elk Lake Creek to river mile 5.5 road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Collawash River.   Whitewater Near Collawash River: Collawash River, Clackamas County, 2 miles away       Class III-IV(V) - 5 miles long (Elk Lake Creek to river mile 5.5) Collawash River, Clackamas County, 2 miles away       Class IV - 5.5 miles long (Mile 5.5 bridge to Two Rivers Picnic Area) Clackamas River, Clackamas County, 6 miles away       Class -blank- - 9.2 miles long (Collawash River to Three Lynx Power Station) Breitenbush River, Marion County, 8 miles away       Class IV - 8.2 miles long (Cleator Bend Campground to Detroit Lake) Clackamas River - Oak Grove Fork, Clackamas County, 8 miles away       Class III-V(V+) - 5 miles long (Lower Five Miles to Clackamas River) Clackamas River, Clackamas County, 8 miles away       Class III-IV - 8 miles long (June Creek Br. to Collawash River) Clackamas River, Clackamas County, 10 miles away       Class III-IV - 12.5 miles long (Three Lynx Power Station to North Fork Reservoir) Santiam River - North, Marion/ Linn County, 12 miles away       Class III-IV - 7.3 miles long (Bruno Mt. Road Bridge to Detroit Reservoir) Roaring River, Clackamas County, 12 miles away       Class III-IV - 3 miles long (Road 4611 to Roaring River Campground) Clackamas River - South Fork, Clackamas County, 19 miles away       Class V+ - 0 miles long (South Fork Clackamas Falls)   Ski Areas Near Collawash River: Mt. Hood Ski Bowl, Oregon , 26 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 9 lifts, 65 runs Hoodoo, Oregon , 28 miles away, 1035 foot drop, 6 lifts, 30 runs Timberline Lodge, Oregon , 29 miles away, 3590 foot drop, 6 lifts, 32 runs Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon , 32 miles away, 2777 foot drop, 12 lifts, 87 runs Cooper Spur, Oregon , 37 miles away, 500 foot drop, 2 lifts, 10 runs Mt. Bachelor, Oregon , 51 miles away, 3365 foot drop, 13 lifts, 71 runs Willamette Pass, Oregon , 65 miles away, 1563 foot drop, 6 lifts, 29 runs White Pass, Washington , 94 miles away, 1500 foot drop, 6 lifts, 32 runs   Marinas Near Collawash River: Detroit Lake Marina, Detroit , 13 miles away   Hotels Near Collawash River: Resort At The Mountain, BW Premier Collection, Welches , 20 miles away Resort At The Mountain, Welches , 20 miles away The Resort At The Mountain, Welches , 20 miles away Best Western Mt. Hood Inn, Government Camp , 25 miles away Best Western Sandy Inn, Sandy , 29 miles away   Campgrounds Near Collawash River: Little Fan Creek, Detroit, 4 miles away Round Lake, Idanha, 5 miles away Kingfisher Camp, Detroit, 5 miles away   Trails Near Collawash River: Bull of the Woods Trail, Clackamas , 2 miles away, 3.1 hiking miles, 2348 feet elevation difference Janus Butte Trail, Marion , 3 miles away,  8.2 hiking miles, 2376 feet elevation difference Welcome Lakes Trail, Marion , 3 miles away, 8.1 hiking miles, 3795 feet elevation difference Rhododendron Ridge Trail, Clackamas , 4 miles away, 4 hiking miles, 887 feet elevation difference Bagby Trail, Clackamas , 4 miles away, 2.7 hiking miles, 602 feet elevation difference Elk Lake Trail, Marion , 4 miles away, 8.5 hiking miles, 1845 feet elevation difference East Fork Way, Marion , 5 miles away, 2.1 hiking miles, 913 feet elevation difference   Public Lands Near Collawash River: Detroit Lake State Park, Oregon , 14 miles away Detroit Lake State Park, Oregon , 14 miles away Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon , 21 miles away   Lakes Near Collawash River Lake Lenore, Clackamas , 3 miles away Cougar Lake, Clackamas , 17 miles away Tule Lake, Linn , 18 miles away