Wilderness in the Klamath-Siskiyou

Rogue-Umpqua Divide & Sky Lakes

Part of the Cascade mountain range, this area includes the headwaters of the mighty Rogue, Umpqua, and Klamath Rivers.

Grassy Knob & Copper Salmon

This “Siskiyou Wild Rivers” area has some of the most spectacular rivers in the world, including the salmon-rich Elk, Sixes, Illinois and Rogue Rivers.

Wild Rogue

One of southern Oregon’s best known and most beloved wilderness areas, the Wild Rogue Wilderness is visited by tens of thousands of rafters, kayakers, and hikers each year.

Kalmiopsis

The magnificent Chetco, along with the Illinois and the North Fork Smith, are all Wild and Scenic Rivers of the Kalmiopsis Wilderness.

Soda Mountain

Protected for its incredible biodiversity, here you can see Great Basin shrubs and Siskiyou flowers rubbing shoulders with Cascade conifers.

Red Buttes & Siskiyou

This unusual east-west mountain range features high alpine lakes and gorgeous views of the seemingly endless wild Siskiyou mountains.

Russian, Marble Mountain, & Castle Crags

The Russian Wilderness hosts the miracle mile with over 17 conifers found in one square mile area—the highest density on the planet! And don’t miss the impressive Marble Rim.

Trinity Alps, Chanchelulla, & Yolly Bolly

In the southern Klamath Range, these wilderness areas have steep and varied terrain. The aptly named Trinity Alps are dotted with lakes and jaw-dropping granite ridges. With 550 miles of maintained trail, there are ample opportunities for week-long backpacking adventures. 

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The Klamath-Siskiyou region is home to the largest expanse of wildlands on the West Coast. 

Some of these pristine wild areas are protected under the Wilderness Act as Wilderness Areas, but many other wilderness-quality lands are unprotected and face a variety of threats including logging, road-building, over-grazing, and irresponsible off-road vehicle use. 

These wild areas provide a network of high quality habitat for thousands of species. The Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands also provide spectacular recreation opportunities for over a dozen nearby communities. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors come to southern Oregon and northern California to experience this treasure trove of craggy peaks, wild rivers, and ancient forests. 

The past can tell us so much about what makes these Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands special. Over geologic time, the Klamath-Siskiyou region escaped glaciation and served as a refuge for many plants and animals that went extinct because of glaciers in other areas in the West. 

Today, an extraordinary number of species, many of which live here but nowhere else on the planet, offer insight to the importance of this region in past climatic shifts. This biologic divsersity also tells us that Klamath-Siskiyou wildlands will be an important refuge for wild nature now the climate has entered a new era of rapid change.

In addition to their pristine wild areas, the Klamath-Siskiyous have great potential for additional wilderness protection. Right now, a bill to expand wilderness protections for the Wild Rogue is in Congress awaiting action. 

You are a vital part of KS Wild’s work to protect the wild, world-class rivers and forests that still lack protection. Join us today to ensure wild nature will remain in the Klamath-Siskiyous for generations to come. 

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