The River
The White Salmon River offers opportunities for private and commercial whitewater recreation as well as a cold-water fishery, which will soon include returning salmonids. The White Salmon, which drops 50 feet per mile, is considered one of the most challenging rivers in the Pacific Northwest. The White Salmon draws kayakers from many parts of the world.
Most kayaking is done at BZ corner and the five mile stretch of wild water upstream known as the Green Truss section. Most whitewater rafting is done within Wild and Scenic River boundaries in a 7.7 mile stretch of river between BZ corner and Northwestern Lake. With removal of Condit, rafting and kayaking to the confluence with the Columbia River will be possible.
Commercial outfitters are issued special use permits on the White Salmon. They offer whitewater rafting and kayaking trips. Trip documentation cards are filled out at the site by commercial and private trips to track use patterns; this provides documentation so improvements based on user needs can be planned.
The put-in at BZ Corners was improved in the fall of 2006 and provides parking, accessible restrooms with changing facilities, sinks and flush toilets (one vault toilet is open during winter months with no running water) and a host site. It is a day-use site (no overnight parking or camping). There are currently no fees charged to park or put in. A rail system is used to slide boats down to the water (cat-a-rafts find it easiest to use PVC pipe between the rail and their boat). Metal stairs at the river’s edge are raised during high water. Stone steps are located just down river; use them when the metal stairs are up during high water.
