Join Us in the Klamath
on a Conservation Adventure
Welcome to Your Adventure
Cutting a scenic swathe from the mountains of southern Oregon into California, the powerful Klamath River once teemed with so many salmon that locals claimed they could cross the river on the backs of the fish. These salmon have been an essential source of food and a spiritual touchstone for local Indigenous tribes in the region since time immemorial. But over the past century, dams, drought and habitat loss have pushed these fish to the brink. Today, TNC is employing a number of strategies to help the Klamath's salmon recover, secure the freshwater that nature needs and help ranchers thrive alongside nature.
Now, the river is coming back to life—and you’re invited to be part of that story. Join The Nature Conservancy’s top scientists and local partners on an unforgettable adventure through some of the most critical salmon-bearing waterways and restoration sites in the Klamath Basin. Saddle up for horseback rides through high country ranchland, snorkel and float stretches of river that haven't run free in more than a hundred years. All while learning how TNC is helping restore these waters and protect wildlife on a scale that could change the future of rivers.
Protecting nature here doesn’t just ensure the future of endangered fish and communities, it also has the potential to make a huge impact in the global mission to conserve 620,000 miles of rivers by 2030.
This is more than a trip—it’s a rare chance to witness history, connect with local communities and experience firsthand the wild beauty of a river reborn.
The Nature Conservancy invites you on a conservation adventure you’ll never forget.
Highlights of the Tour
Get boots-on-the-ground access to remote landscapes, guided by TNC scientists, local biologists and ranching partners. From river snorkeling to 4x4 excursions, you’ll see conservation in action—and pitch in, too.
Travel with TNC
This trip is designed as a choose-your-own-adventure experience. Each day offers multiple activity options so you can tailor the journey to your interests and pace. Click on the photos to learn more.
Explore Miners Creek
Kick off your adventure at Miners Creek Ranch, your home base for this adventure. Here you will be greeted with a cocktail and locally sourced beverages and receive an overview of the area from one of our on-site staff.
In 2023, TNC became the proud owner of Miners Creek Ranch, a 389-acre property in the Klamath River watershed. The sale includes a senior water right and a mile of frontage on French Creek, one of the best locations for coho salmon nests, or “redds,” on the Scott River.
Our goal is to leave water in the creek so that freshwater species like salmon have what they need to thrive during the dry summer months. Scientists predict that our actions could have population-level benefits for coho salmon on the Scott River. Explore French Creek with a guided tour along the river to see the restoration work being done and the results of our partnership with the Scott River Watershed Council.
Explore Parks Creek
Hop on horseback or climb into a 4x4 to explore our 5,300-acre Parks Creek Ranch. This working ranch in the Shasta River watershed has unbeatable views of Mount Shasta from every angle. Explore restoration progress and enjoy a picnic lunch along Parks Creek.
Parks Creek Ranch includes two cold water springs and significant water rights. This gives us the potential to improve flows in more than 40 stream miles and restore seven miles of river habitat to help the recovery of endangered coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead trout and Pacific lamprey. Working in partnership with a number of organizations, our goal is to restore critical salmon streams and degraded streamside habitats in the Mid-Klamath Basin Parks Creek Ranch.
Visit a Klamath Dam Removal Site
In 2024, a 240-mile stretch of the Klamath flowed freely for the first time in more than a century when four major dams were razed as part of the largest dam removal project in U.S. history. We will discuss the steps being taken to rewild the Klamath River now that dams have been removed including the benefits to fish, people and entire ecosystems that come with a reconnected river.
Float the Klamath
It’s now possible to float stretches of the Klamath that were once impassable due to the historic removal of four dams. Led by a local rafting company and experienced guides, the floatilla will visit newly liberated areas of the Klamath exploring the changing habitat. You’ll see how quickly the river is responding to the chance to run wild again.
Cast a Line on Restored Waters
Join local guides and tribal partners for a catch-and-release fishing experience that highlights the deep cultural significance of salmon and steelhead in the Klamath Basin. As you fish along newly restored stretches of river, you’ll learn how dam removal, habitat restoration, and traditional ecological knowledge are helping rebuild native fish populations. It’s a chance to connect with the river in a hands-on way while gaining a deeper understanding of the communities who have relied on these waters for generations.
Dinner with Local Community Members
A menu designed to celebrate the flavors of the region, hosted in partnership with local conservation and community partners, will highlight the deep connections between food, land and the people who steward them. Local ingredients from Scott Valley and Shasta-area farms, ranches and vineyards will be showcased. This is an opportunity to connect with the partners, farmers and tribal community members who make this work possible.
Trip Details
Ideal duration: 3-4 days
Ideal months: April and May are the best months for wildflowers and winter flows coming out of the mountains; the fall-run Chinook are migrating upstream July through November (with peak spawning in the Shasta in October); coho spawning can be viewed in December/January in the Scott River.
Approximate cost: Starts at $1,000 (not including airfare to and from Medford, Oregon)
Accommodations
Miners Creek Ranch House
Stay the night at Miners Creek Ranch House, on a 389-acre property in the Klamath River watershed.
We can’t wait to plan your conservation adventure in the Klamath! For more information, please reach out to our events team.
Our work in the region
Water Is Life
When nature doesn’t have enough water, it’s only a matter of time before people don’t either.
Klamath Basin
The Klamath River and its tributaries represented one of the greatest salmon runs on the Pacific coast. TNC is working to restore critical spawning and rearing streams.
Strategy Driven by Science
California voters are invested in building a safer, more climate-resilient future for our state. TNC has the scientific expertise and policy strategy to help achieve that vision.