Activities

Topsy Recreation Site

Set in a Ponderosa pine forest and located on the shores of J.C. Boyle Reservoir, Topsy is a wonderful place to spend some time with friends and family. Topsy Recreation Site offers barrier-free, universal design in most of its facilities. These facilities include a concrete boat ramp with floating dock and an accessible fishing platform. Camping, picnicking, fishing, and swimming are all popular activities. Visitors are often treated to views of eagles, pelicans, great blue herons, ducks, and geese. From the Topsy Campground you are within easy access to the vast coniferous forest lands of the southern Cascade Range as well as the federally designated Wild and Scenic Upper Klamath River Canyon.

Upper Klamath River

The Upper Klamath River has a lengthy use season thanks to the steady water releases from the J.C. Boyle Dam and Powerhouse. PacifiCorp, a large regional utility company, operates the dam and powerhouse project to generate hydroelectric power. Rafters and kayakers get to ride the water downstream of the powerhouse. It is technically possible to run the river year-round, but optimum rafting and kayaking weather occurs mostly from May through October.

The whitewaters of the Upper Klamath River are rated at class IV+ to V (Caldera and Hells Corner rapids are rated class IV+ to V, depending on water levels and who is doing the rating). These classes are considered advanced to expert on the rafting scale of one to six. In the middle 5 miles of the Upper Klamath River, there are 19 separate rapids rated class III or higher. If you are not a seasoned river rat, there are a number of guides and outfitters who offer safe, professionally guided trips ranging from one to three days. These outfitters all have many years of experience and their guides are all well trained in river running and safety skills. Most guides offer shore lunches and you might hear a good river tale or two as well.