Wild Rivers Ranger District Map

The District is home to unique and rare serpentine soils which create a diverse land of contrasts. The Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains of Southwest Oregon and Northwest California are the largest serpentine area in North America, where a unique flora has evolved to survive the severe hardships of drought, heavy metals, and nutrient stress.

The Illinois River is renowned for white water rafting. The river has 150 rapids, eleven of which are Class IV and one of which has a most difficult rating of Class V. Still, clear, blue-green pools offer contrast to the whitewater segments of the river and opportunities for catching anadromous fish, including large steelhead. Primitive camping and numerous hiking trails are available along the river corridor. Float permits are required and can be obtained at Ray’s Market in Selma, Oregon. The Wild Rivers Ranger District contains portions of three unique Wilderness. The Kalmiopsis Wilderness, besides being a place of great botanical interest, is also one of the most unusual and complex geological areas of our country.