The Illinois is known as one of the most isolated and beautiful wilderness rafting trips in the country. The water is crystal clear and a lush landscape of moss and ferns surrounds rafters on all sides of the steep and spectacular canyon, complete with cascading waterfalls pouring into the river on all sides.

The river originates along the California/Oregon boarder in the Siskiyou Mountains before it falls through the coastal mountains of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness where most rafting trips put in. Because the river rarely accumulates high levels of snowpack because of its location in the coastal mountains, the boatable season occurs during the rainy months from November to May, with the spring being the preferred time to run it. The river’s steep watershed means that frequent Pacific Northwest storms may wildly fluctuate the river’s flows.

This is the perfect river for those looking for an overnight rafting trip which is a true once-in-a-lifetime adventure including the possibility of extreme weather, world-class whitewater, pool drops and untouched wilderness scenery.