Chiwawa River

FLOW

• USGS Gauge: Chiwawa River Near Plain
• 800 - 2,000 CFS:  runnable
• 2,000 - 3,000 CFS:  high runnable

PUT-INS & TAKE-OUTS

• Beaver Valley Road, Plain:  This is the take out for longer runs and is 1.5 river miles below the confluence with the Wenatchee River.  Just downstream of the Beaver Valley Road Bridge in Plain is a small eddy on river right. The take out is a developed site with a long cement staircase leading to the water, a huge paved parking lot, and portolets. 
• Chiwawa River Road Bridge:  Take out here for a 6.5 mile run from Huckleberry Campground, or put in here for a 9 mile run to Beaver Valley.  There is a sprawling campground that extends on both sides of the river upstream of the bridge and on river left downstream of the bridge. The camp grounds can accommodate a hundred vehicles.  
• Meadow Creek Campground:   Put in here for a 12 mile run to Beaver Valley in Plain. 
• Huckleberry Campground:   This is the Put In for the full monty, 16 miles, down to Beaver Valley or for a quick and highly active 6.5 mile reach to Chiwawa River Road.  

ON THE RIVER

HUCKLEBERRY CAMPGROUND TO CHIWAWA RIVER ROAD

The whitewater action starts soon after the put in.  There are many small waves to surf, and wood abounds mostly clinging to the river banks but an occasional mid river log.  About 1 river mile from Huckleberry put in there is a mandatory portage on river left for wood (as of 2025). This is the most exciting whitewater on the Chiwawa. The river offers few large calm eddies. You reach Meadow Creek Campground in 3.75 miles on river right. Roughly 1 mile downriver from Meadow Creek is a large logjam on river right appears here to stay. 

CHIWAWA RIVER ROAD TO BEAVER VALLEY

By the time you reach the Chiwawa River Road you are probably wondering if the nonstop whitewater will ever relent. While there is a brief respite along the stretch just above and below the bridge, don't let your guard down as the action soon ratchets back up. About 1.25 mile below the Chiwawa Loop Road bridge there is a mandatory portage river right for a salmon weir. At higher water (above 1300 CFS) it may be possible to paddle over the weir but is ill advised. Soon after the weir you reach the confluence with the expansive Wenatchee River and the mood of the river changes altogether. Here the river is wide and relatively calm yet still has many good surf waves if you can catch them. 

NOTES

• Avg. Gradient: 37 feet/mile.
• On all reaches there are engineered wood piles for the creation of salmon habitat. The rip rap is obvious, is on both sides of the river, and easy to avoid. 
• There are many primitive National Forest camp sites in the upper reaches on a first come basis such as Grouse Creek Campground, Meadow Creek Campground, Goose Creek Campground, and the Chiwawa River Road Campground on both the upstream and downstream sides of the bridge, to name a few.
• There is a great breakfast/lunch spot in Plain at the old historic mill in the center of town. 
• Can be combined with the Wenatchee River for a weekend of whitewater paddling on the east side. 

• Weather: View weather forecast

• Suitable Activities: Packrafting
• Seasons: Year-round, March, April, May, June
• Weather: View weather forecast

• Difficulty: Class III River
• Length: 15.8 mi
• Elevation Gain: -580 ft
• High Point: 2,400 ft

• Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
  Wenatchee River Ranger District (OWNF)
• Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
• Recommended Party Size: 6
• Maximum Party Size: 12
• Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12